"It is not by choice that I gave birth at home": the social determinants of home births during COVID-19 in peri-urban and urban Kenya, a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the provision of global maternal health services, with an increase in home births. However, there are little data on women's decision-making and experiences leading up to home births during the pandemic. The objective of this study is to examine the economic, social, and health system factors associated with home births in Kenya. METHODS: Community health volunteers (CHVs) and village leaders helped identify potential participants for an in-depth, one-on-one, qualitative telephone interview in Nairobi and Kiambu County in Kenya. In total, the study interviewed 28 mothers who had home births. RESULTS: This study identified a number of economic, social, neighborhood, and health system factors that were associated with birthing at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only one woman had planned on birthing at home, while all other participants described various reasons they had to birth at home. Themes related to home births during the pandemic included: (1) unmet preferences related to location of birth; (2) burdens and fear of contracting COVID-19 leading to delayed or missed care; (3) lack of perceived community safety and fear of encounters with law enforcement; and (4) healthcare system changes and uncertainty that led to home births. CONCLUSION: Addressing and recognizing women's social determinants of health is critical to ensuring that preferences on location of birth are met.

Plasma cell myeloma lytic lesions mimicking vanishing bone syndrome in a young patient.

Plasma cell myeloma is a bone marrow disorder characterized by neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells within the bone marrow replacing normal cells. We present a case report of a 25-year-old female with bilateral lower and upper limb pains. She had been seen in various health facilities for the past 2 years with progressively worsening disability. Skeletal survey revealed multiple osteolytic lesions in the appendicular skeleton resembling vanishing bone syndrome. Ultrasound-guided biopsy was done with histological diagnosis of plasma cell myeloma. This case is unique because of the young age at presentation, HIV seropositive status and atypical appearance of the lesions.