Disrespect and Abuse in Obstetric Care in Mexico: An Observational Study of Deliveries in Four Hospitals.

INTRODUCTION: To identify and describe the frequency and characteristics of disrespect and abuse practices towards women during facility-based delivery in four hospitals in two Mexican states in 2017, using a mixed method of direct observation and women's reports of health care experiences. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed to describe disrespect and abuse practices in obstetric care (interactions or conditions that are experienced as or intended to be humiliating or undignified) committed by healthcare providers. We included all pregnant women admitted for childbirth (vaginal and cesarean). Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with women, prior to discharge, regarding their experience at delivery. RESULTS: 867 deliveries were observed. 18.8% of women (n = 163) experienced at least one disrespect and abuse event, especially at secondary care facilities. There were a total of 493 disrespect and abuse events, which, on average, represents three events per woman (39.4% were verbal abuse, 32% were physical abuse, and 28.6% were discrimination). In the majority of cases (> 50%), women did not give consent to not recommended invasive procedures and were not provided with adequate information to those procedures. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Direct observation and interviews was a useful tool to identify disrespectful and abusive practices during delivery care. Our findings provide new evidence of the frequency and characteristics of disrespect and abuse during delivery care in Mexico, which can be used to inform maternal health programs. Additionally, these results encourage the creation of surveillance policies and committees in order to guarantee violence-free and dignified treatment of women during delivery care.

[Approach to the quality of care during pregnancy,delivery and postpartum in women withobstetric risk factors in Mexico]. / Aproximación a la calidad de la atención durante el embarazo, parto y posparto en mujeres con factores de riesgoobstétrico en México.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of care of women with obstetric risk factors during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We use data from The National Survey of Health and Nutrition 2018-19. Women were classified by the presence of obstetric risk factors (ORF) in their last pregnancy. The quality of care provided to women was evaluated with indicators of structure and process dur-ing antenatal care (ANC) and, delivery and postpartum care (DPC). RESULTS: Compliance with process indicators in ANC and DPC for women with ORF was 56.9%. In the face of complications during pregnancy or delivery, it decreased in ANC, and in the face of social vulnerability compliance of ANC and DPC indicators decreases. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to systematically improve the quality of care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, regardless the presence of ORF, with special attention to vulnerable groups.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la calidad de la atención a mujeres con factores de riesgo obstétrico durante el embarazo, parto y posparto. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Con datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2018-19, se clasificó a las mu-jeres de acuerdo con los factores de riesgo obstétrico (FRO) presentes en su último embarazo y se evaluó la calidad de la atención con indicadores de estructura y proceso en la atención prenatal (APN), y en la atención del parto y posparto (APP). RESULTADOS: El cumplimiento de indicadores de pro-ceso en APN y APP para mujeres con FRO fue de 56.9%. Ante complicaciones durante el embarazo o el parto, disminuyó en la APN, y ante variables socioeconómicas desfavorables, disminuyó en la APN y en la APP. CONCLUSIONES: Es nece-sario mejorar sistemáticamente la calidad de la atención en el embarazo, parto y posparto en mujeres con y sin riesgo obstétrico, principalmente en grupos vulnerables.

Aproximación a la calidad de la atención durante el embarazo, parto y posparto en mujeres con factores de riesgo obstétrico en México / Approach to the quality of care during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum in women with obstetric risk factors in Mexico

Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de la atención a mujeres con factores de riesgo obstétrico durante el embarazo, parto y posparto. Material y métodos. Con datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2018-19, se clasificó a las mujeres de acuerdo con los factores de riesgo obstétrico (FRO) presentes en su último embarazo y se evaluó la calidad de la atención con indicadores de estructura y proceso en la atención prenatal (APN), y en la atención del parto y posparto (APP). Resultados: El cumplimiento de indicadores de proceso en APN y APP para mujeres con FRO fue de 56.9%. Ante complicaciones durante el embarazo o el parto, disminuyó en la APN, y ante variables socioeconómicas desfavorables, disminuyó en la APN y en la APP. Conclusiones: Es necesario mejorar sistemáticamente la calidad de la atención en el embarazo, parto y posparto en mujeres con y sin riesgo obstétrico, principalmente en grupos vulnerables.

Abstract: Objective: To assess the quality of care of women with obstetric risk factors during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Materials and methods: We use data from The National Survey of Health and Nutrition 2018-19. Women were classified by the presence of obstetric risk factors (ORF) in their last pregnancy. The quality of care provided to women was evaluated with indicators of structure and process during antenatal care (ANC) and, delivery and postpartum care (DPC). Results: Compliance with process indicators in ANC and DPC for women with ORF was 56.9%. In the face of complications during pregnancy or delivery, it decreased in ANC, and in the face of social vulnerability compliance of ANC and DPC indicators decreases. Conclusions: It is necessary to systematically improve the quality of care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, regardless the presence of ORF, with special attention to vulnerable groups.

Efectividad de los trabajadores comunitarios en medidas preventivas para salud maternal e infantil en países de bajos y medianos ingresos: revisión sistemática de la literatura / Effectiveness of community workers on preventive measures to maternal and child health in low and middle income countries: systematic review of the literature

Objetivo: Evaluar y sintetizar la evidencia científica que presente información sobre la efectividad de las intervenciones preventivas realizadas por los trabajadores comunitarios en salud materna y salud infantil a nivel hogar. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura. La búsqueda se realizó desde 1966 a 2014 en las diferentes bases de datos: Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Cochrane, CINHAL, OMS series y google schollar. Se incluyeron estudios tipo experimental o cuasi experimentales que abordaran la incorporación de trabajadores comunitarios en intervenciones de prevención primaria para salud materna e infantil. Se realizó una síntesis narrativa de los resultados. Resultados: se identificó un total de 12 560 referencias; de estas se tamizaron 6234. Se incluyeron en esta revisión, posterior a una evaluación de calidad metodológica, 19 estudios. De estos se identificaron diseños como ensayos clínicos controlados, ensayos por conglomerados, estudios de antes y después, estudios observacionales analíticos tipo casos y controles y estudios de corte transversal. Se identificaron actividades de promoción y prevención para malaria, adherencia a la lactancia materna, cuidados del recién nacido, cuidados y soporte para el momento del parto. En todos los escenarios se demostró efectividad de la inclusión del trabajador comunitario en los desenlaces de adherencia y reducción de mortalidad materna e infantil. Conclusiones: La inclusión de los trabajadores comunitarios es efectiva en la reducción de la mortalidad materna e infantil en países de bajos y medianos ingresos. Además de ello, mejora el acceso y la cobertura a los servicios de salud de poblaciones vulnerables.

Objective: To evaluate and synthesize scientific evidence that reports on the effectiveness of preventive interventions by community workers in maternal and child health at the household level. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted. The search was conducted from 1966-2014 in different databases: Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Cochrane, CINAHL, WHO and google Schollar series. Experimental or quasi-experimental studies that addressed the incorporation of community workers in primary prevention interventions for maternal and child health were included. A narrative summary of the results was performed. Results: A total of 12 560 references were identified, of these 6234 references were screened. They were included in this review, after an assessment of methodological quality, 19 studies. Of these 19 studies designs as controlled clinical trials, cluster tests, before and after studies, analytical observational case-control studies and cross-sectional studies we were identified. Advocacy and malaria prevention, adherence to breastfeeding, newborn care, care and support during childbirth were identified. In all scenarios, including the effectiveness of Community worker in the outcomes of adherence and reduction of maternal and infant mortality it was demonstrated. Conclusions: Inclusion of community workers is effective in reducing maternal and infant mortality in low- and middle-income. Moreover it is improving access and coverage of health services to vulnerable populations.

Maternal/child seroprevalence of antibodies against Treponema pallidum at four general hospitals in the state of Morelos, Mexico.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Treponema pallidum can cause syphilis in pregnant women and congenital syphilis in the newborn. In Latin America, 330,000 pregnant women are diagnosed with syphilis every year. Adequate prenatal care to detect syphilis reduces maternal morbidity and fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. We undertook this study to determine T. pallidum seroprevalence among pregnant and puerperal women from Morelos, Mexico, as well as to evaluate the sexual behavior, demographic and clinical variables associated with the infection. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among pregnant and puerperal women from four general hospitals from Morelos, Mexico during 2005-2009. Women answered a questionnaire and provided a blood sample to detect antibodies against T. pallidum. RESULTS: A total of 2331 women were analyzed with 0.26% of T. pallidum seroprevalence. There were four cases with active syphilis and two cases with latent syphilis, as well as two cases of congenital syphilis. Illiterate women had 6.7 times higher risk of being infected. Women who did not undergo a urine test had a 5.3 times higher risk for infection and women who do not have piped water inside their household had a 5.0-fold higher risk of having anti-T. pallidum antibodies. All seropositive cases were from the same hospital (Cuautla General Hospital) with demographic, sexual behavior and medical care characteristics different from the other three hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis during pregnancy and congenital syphilis are still present in Mexico. It may be that the more urban a population the higher the chance of the prevalence of maternal syphilis. It would be beneficial to reinforce the observance of the Official Mexican Norm and to implement rapid diagnostics tests to contend with this public health problem.