Childbearing at the margins: A systematic metasynthesis of sexual and gender diverse childbearing experiences.

BACKGROUND: The reproductive and perinatal health of sexual and gender-diverse (SGD) individuals is a research priority area for the National Institutes of Health. Over the past decade, this childbearing population has been the focus of several qualitative studies providing the opportunity to evaluate and synthesize the qualitative literature on SGD childbearing experiences in a metasynthesis. METHODS: We conducted a literature search of four databases to identify original research published from January 2011 through June 2021. These results were augmented by forward and backward searching strategies. Two authors independently screened studies. All qualitative studies of the childbearing experience were eligible. Data were extracted and inductively coded using conventional content analysis, and studies underwent a quality appraisal by two authors. RESULTS: From 2396 articles, 127 full-text articles were screened, and 25 were included in this synthesis. Three overarching themes were identified: (a) Systematic Invisibility; (b) Creating Personhood Through Parenthood; and (c) Resilient Narratives of Childbearing. CONCLUSIONS: Relative to heterosexual and cisgender parents, SGD childbearing parents experience unique structural and interpersonal challenges and employ critically important resilience strategies and coping techniques to manage an overwhelming heterocisnormative experience. These findings provide an important target for health care organizations and professionals to improve SGD perinatal health. In addition, this metasynthesis identified persistent gaps in our understanding of this marginalized childbearing population, which have important implications for reducing health disparities that SGD parents experience.

Findings from a mixed-methods journey map study of barriers to family planning in western Kenya.

Our objective was to map and prioritize barriers to high-quality family planning care in western Kenya. We conducted key informant interviews (n = 19); focus group discussions with clients (n = 55); mystery client visits (n = 180); unannounced visitors (n = 120); and direct observation of client-provider interactions (n = 256) at public facilities offering family planning. We synthesized the data into a client and a provider journey map, which we used to facilitate client (n = 9) and provider (n = 12) discussions. For both groups, stockouts were frequent, impactful, and important barriers. Clients also reported male partner resistance, insufficient counseling, and informal fees were priority barriers.

Characteristics of nursing homes with comprehensive antibiotic stewardship programs: Results of a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic stewardship in nursing homes (NHs) is a high priority owing to intense antibiotic use and increased risk of adverse events. Updated Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations required NHs to establish antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs). This study describes the current state of NH ASPs. METHODS: A nationally representative survey of NHs was conducted in 2018. ASP comprehensiveness, infection preventionist (IP) training, participation in Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) activities, and facility and staff characteristics were analyzed using weighted descriptive statistics and multinomial regression models. RESULTS: Of 861 NHs, 33.2% (6-7) had "comprehensive" ASP policies, 41.1% (4-5) had "moderately comprehensive" ASP policies, and 25.6% (≤ 3) had "not comprehensive" ASP policies. Data collection on antibiotic use was most reported (91.4%), and restricting use of specific antibiotics was least reported (19.0%). Comprehensive ASPs were associated with QIN-QIO involvement; moderate and comprehensive ASPs were associated with IP training and high occupancy. DISCUSSION: Immediately following Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulation changes, a majority of NHs had moderately comprehensive or comprehensive ASPs. Rates for each policy and infection control-trained IPs increased from previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: NH ASPs are becoming more comprehensive. Infection control training and partnerships with QIN-QIOs can support NHs to increase ASP comprehensiveness.