Autonomy in labour and delivery in a Latin American urban centre: a qualitative phenomenological analysis.

The medicalisation of childbirth has diminished the role of labouring people. We conducted an exploratory phenomenological qualitative study, using purposive sampling, and then conducted 17 semi-structured interviews between December 2016 and October 2017 with people who had recently given birth in a public hospital in the Northern Metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile. The sufficiency of the study group was determined according to saturation criteria. Triangulated content analysis was applied to explore the clinical relationship and processes of autonomy and decision-making. The predominant clinical relationship observed was paternalism. The participation of labouring people in decision-making is scarce, with no evidence of ethically valid processes of informed consent.

Are Experiences of Racial Discrimination Associated with Postpartum Depressive Symptoms? A Multistate Analysis of Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Data.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious public health crisis disproportionately affecting women of color. We examine whether interpersonal racial discrimination is associated with higher odds of postpartum depressive symptoms (PPDS) among women of color and how it may vary by race/ethnicity and maternal educational attainment. Materials and Methods: We present a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) postnatal surveys conducted in nine jurisdictions between 2012 and 2015 that included a question about being upset by experiences of racial discrimination within 12 months before giving birth. Results: Being upset by racial discrimination was associated with nearly three times higher odds of PPDS. Among women of color with at least some college education, the higher odds of PPDS associated with racial discrimination were greater than threefold, and for women with less than a high school education were less than twofold. Conclusion: Addressing risk factors for PPD, including racial discrimination, may inform strategies to reduce racial disparities in maternal mental health.

Prenatal Racial Discrimination Associated With Dissatisfaction With Prenatal Care.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal and infant racial and ethnic health disparities persist in Wisconsin. The Black infant mortality rate is 3 to 4 times that of White infants. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we used data from the Wisconsin Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System to examine women's experiences with racism and accessing pre- and postnatal care. METHODS: Data from the 2016-2018 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System-an ongoing state-administered surveillance system of new mothers-were used. The total number of non-White respondents was n = 2,571. The data are weighted both for nonsampling and for nonresponse. The prevalence of late entry to prenatal care, inadequate prenatal care, and no postpartum visit in the population of non-White women were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model the association between racial discrimination in the year prior to birth and perinatal care utilization and satisfaction. RESULTS: Less-than-adequate prenatal care was significantly associated with racial discrimination in bivariate analysis (OR 1.4; 95% CI, 1.02-1.8), but this relationship became marginally significant after adjusting for maternal sociodemographic characteristics (OR 1.3; 95% CI, 0.9-1.7). In contrast, prenatal experience of racial discrimination was associated with about 1.5 times the odds of not receiving a postpartum visit both before and after adjusting for maternal characteristics (OR 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.3). CONCLUSIONS: Completing the postpartum visit has the potential to save mothers' lives; decreasing experiences of racial discrimination in health care settings may be one mechanism for decreasing maternal and infant mortality.

Examining the Association Between Racial Bias Exposure and Postpartum Depression Among Women in Wisconsin.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between racial bias and postpartum depression among women in Wisconsin. METHODS: Analyzed the Wisconsin Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System with a weighted sample of 125,581 women/mothers who delivered a live birth in 2016-2017. The outcome was self-reported postpartum depression. The independent variable was racial bias exposure. Survey-weighted logistic regression analyses were performed adjusting for confounders in 6 models-socioeconomic position, psychosocial factors, health risk behaviors, health care access, stress/obesity, and disease condition. All analyses were completed using STATA accounting for complex survey design and sample weights. RESULTS: In this sample, 6.6% of women/mothers experienced racial bias and 11.5% had postpartum depression. In unadjusted analysis, the odds of postpartum depression were higher for women who experienced racial bias than those who did not (OR 2.15; 95% CI, 1.35-3.41). Non-Hispanic Black women had higher odds for racial bias exposure than other racial/ethnic groups (OR 6.01; 95% CI, 1.69-21.41). However, the relationship between racial bias and postpartum depression was not significant after adjusting for socioeconomic position (OR 1.17; 95% CI, 0.69-1.97), psychosocial factors (OR 1.07; 95% CI, 0.63-1.81), health risk behaviors (OR 0.90; 95% CI, 0.55-1.49], health care access (OR 1.01; 95% CI, 0.60-1.70), stress/obesity (OR 0.73; 95% CI, 0.41-1.30), and disease/morbidity (OR 0.85; 95% CI, 0.46-1.57). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Racial bias was associated with significantly increased risk of postpartum depression. Black women had higher odds for racial bias exposure than other groups. The relationship between racial bias and postpartum depression was not significant after adjusting for confounders, suggesting that social determinants potentially influenced this relationship. These findings should inform screening and health education interventions to minimize racism and poor maternal health outcomes.

Dimensions of childbirth care associated with maternal satisfaction among low-risk Chilean women.

The authors of this study aimed to describe the level of maternal satisfaction during labor reported by a national sample of low-risk childbearing women in Chile by identifying the dimensions of intrapartum care most determinant for overall satisfaction. Maternal satisfaction was measured in the postpartum period with an instrument previously validated in Chile. Almost half of the participants (49.4%) reported having optimal satisfaction, 29% adequate, and 22% worse. Treatment of women by professionals and the physical environment were the most important dimension predicting of maternal satisfaction, consistent with findings from developing countries emphasizing patient-provider interaction during labor as a key component of birth care quality.

Preference for caesarean attitudes toward birth in a Chilean sample of young adults.

BACKGROUND: Little empirical research exists about what motivates birth mode preferences, and even less about this topic in Latin America, where obstetric interventions and caesareans are some of the highest worldwide. AIM: To identify factors associated with caesarean preference among Chilean men and women who plan to have children and to inform childbirth education and informed consent procedures. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey measuring attitudes toward birth was administered to graduate students at a large public university in Chile. Eligible students were under the age of 40 and had no children but intended to have children. Logistic regression modelling was used to determine which sociodemographic factors, knowledge and beliefs were associated with caesarean preference. FINDINGS: Among eligible students, 730 responded and 664 provided complete answers to the variables of interest. Respondents had a mean age of 28.8; 38% were male and 62% female. Positive attitude toward technological intervention (Odds Ratio 7.4, 95% Confidence Interval 3.9-14.0), high risk perception of vaginal birth (Odds Ratio 1.8, 95% Confidence Interval 1.1-2.8), family history of caesarean (Odds Ratio 1.9, 95% Confidence Interval 1.0-3.8) and high fear of birth (Odds Ratio 3.7, 95% Confidence Interval 2.0-6.8) were associated with caesarean preference. DISCUSSION: Preference for caesarean birth was highly associated with positive attitudes toward technological intervention and may be related to a lack of knowledge about the realities of caesarean and vaginal birth. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-centered education on the relative benefits and risks of birth modes has the potential to influence preferences toward vaginal birth.

Labor and Birth Care Satisfaction Associated With Medical Interventions and Accompaniment During Labor Among Chilean Women.

INTRODUCTION: Satisfaction with care during labor and birth has been associated with various obstetric variables. The purpose of this study was to determine which labor and birth procedures are significant predictors of maternal patient satisfaction in a large cross-sectional sample. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study of 1660 women giving birth in Chilean public hospital facilities was conducted from 2012 to 2013. Data were collected from 9 different hospitals in 8 regions of Chile using 2 instruments, including the American College of Nurse-Midwives Intrapartum Care Data Set and a locally validated measure of maternal well-being. Women were eligible if they arrived at the labor and delivery unit during early labor (2-3 centimeters dilated) and spent at least 4 hours in labor at the facility. In the current analysis, odds ratios were calculated using ordinal logistic regression for association with a less optimal well-being score (possible outcome values were optimal, adequate, and minimal). Odds ratios were adjusted for age, education, single status, and parity (nulliparous vs multiparous). Stepwise regression was used to identify the procedural factors that were significantly associated with labor and birth care satisfaction. RESULTS: Factors significantly associated with lower satisfaction were cesarean birth (odds ratio [OR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.7), pharmacologic pain management (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.02-1.7), continuous fetal heart rate monitoring (OR. 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8), and episiotomy (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.7). Nulliparity was also associated with minimal maternal satisfaction (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.5). Greater satisfaction was associated with accompaniment by a companion of choice during labor (OR, 0.49: 95% CI, 0.40-0.60). DISCUSSION: This study is one of the first to provide empirical evidence that maternal patient satisfaction is negatively affected by many common obstetric procedures in the Latin American context. These findings are consistent with World Health Organization recommendations regarding judicious and necessary, rather than routine, use of obstetric interventions.

Facilitators and Barriers to Implementing Church-Based Adolescent Sexual Health Programs in Baltimore City.

PURPOSE: Black churches are an important community resource and a potentially powerful actor in adolescent health promotion. However, limited research exists describing the factors that may influence the successful implementation of evidence-based adolescent sexual health programs in churches. In the present study, a multi-informant approach was used to identify facilitators and barriers to implementing adolescent sexual health programs in black churches. METHODS: Nine Black churches located in Baltimore, MD, were recruited to participate in this study. The senior pastor and youth minster from each congregation participated in an in-depth interview (N = 18). A total of 45 youth (ages 13-19 years) and 38 parents participated in 15 focus groups. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a qualitative content analytic approach. RESULTS: Participants agreed that comprehensive adolescent sexual health education should be available for youth in black churches. They also believed that abstaining from sex should be discussed in all adolescent sexual health programs. Three facilitators were discussed: widespread endorsement of church-based adolescent sexual health education, positive influence of youth ministers on youth, and life lessons as teaching tools. Four barriers are described: perceived resistance from congregants, discomfort among youth, lack of financial resources, and competing messages at home about sexual health. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that churches are a preferred place for adolescent sexual health education among some parents and youth. Study findings also reinforce the feasibility and desirably of church-based adolescent sexual health programs.

Midwifery practice and maternity services: A multisite descriptive study in Latin America and the Caribbean.

OBJECTIVE: over the past three decades there has been a social movement in Latin American countries (LAC) to support humanised, physiologic birth. Rates of caesarean section overall in Latin America are approximately 35%, increasing up to 85% in some cases. There are many factors related to poor outcomes with regard to maternal and newborn/infant health in LAC countries. Maternal and perinatal outcome data within and between countries is scarce and inaccurate. The aims of this study were to: i) describe selected obstetric and neonatal outcomes of women who received midwifery care, ii) identify the level of maternal well-being after experiencing midwifery care in 6 Latin America countries. DESIGN: this was a cross sectional and descriptive study, conducted in selected maternity units in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Uruguay. Quantitative methods were used to measure midwifery processes of care and maternal perceptions of well-being in labour and childbirth through a validated survey of maternal well-being and an adapted version of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) standardized antepartum and intrapartum data set. SETTING: Maternity units from 6 Latin American countries. PARTICIPANTS: the final sample was a convenience sample, and the total participants for all sites in the six countries was 3009 low risk women. FINDINGS: for the countries reporting, overall, 82% of these low risk women had spontaneous vaginal deliveries. The rate of caesarean section was 16%; the Dominican Republic had the highest rate of Caesarean sections (30%) and Peru had the lowest rate (4%). The use of oxytocin in labour was widely variable, although overall there was a high proportion of women whose labour was augmented or induced. Ambulation was common, with the lowest proportion (48%) of women ambulating in labour in Chile, Uruguay (50%), Peru (65%), Brazil (85%). The presence of continuous support was highest in Uruguay (93%), Chile (75%) and Argentina (55%), and Peru had the lowest (22%). Episiotomies are still prevalent in all countries, the lowest rate was reported in the Dominican Republic (22%), and the highest rates were 52 and 53% (Chile and Peru, respectively). The Optimal Maternal well-being score had a prevalence of 43.5%, adequate score was 30.8%; 25% of the total sample of women rated their well-being during labour and childbirth as poor. KEY CONCLUSIONS: despite evidence-based guidelines and recommendations, birth is not managed accordingly in most cases. Women feel that care is adequate, although some women report mistreatment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: More research is needed to understand why such high levels of intervention exist and to test the implementation of evidence-based practices in local settings.

Bringing Evidence-Based Sexual Health Programs to Adolescents in Black Churches: Applying Knowledge From Systematic Adaptation Frameworks.

Previous studies have documented Black churches' receptivity to implementing adolescent sexual health programs within their congregations. Some authors have argued for new sexual health programs to be designed specifically for churches, similar to the development of school- and community-based interventions. However, strategies and curricula used in secular settings may also be effective in influencing sexual behaviors among youth in churches. The current study examined the ways in which the phases of two theorized intervention adaptation frameworks were reflected in the desired key components of a church-based sexual health program. Participants in this community-based participatory research project were youth, parents, and faith leaders from nine Black churches in Baltimore, Maryland. Our findings suggest that the priorities of church stakeholders are consistent, rather than discordant, with the current paradigms of evidence-based sexual health programs and intervention adaptation. Future research and practical implications are discussed.