Targeting belongingness among older people through engagement in senior centres: intervention development study in Denmark.

Adults often experience a loss of social relations and sense of belonging in later life, leading to the risk of social isolation. Municipal senior centres offer a potential site for intervention, as they provide social communities targeting older people. However, not all older people find it easy to access these social communities due to experiencing physical and/or psychosocial frailties and could therefore continue to experience a decline in social relations and sense of belonging, which potentiates poor physical and psychosocial health and well-being. To date, there are limited evidence-based interventions in Denmark. The present article describes the development of an intervention to increase belongingness and decrease social isolation among older people with frailties who attend Danish municipal senior centres. The development process was conducted with reference to the INDEX (IdentifyiNg and assessing different approaches to DEveloping compleX intervention) guidance. The development process resulted in a 6-month supportive intervention, consisting of four elements: skills development workshops for all staff members; a start conversation including frailty screening; allocation of a 'buddy' among existing service users; and monthly follow-up conversations with staff members. This theory-informed approach can progress to feasibility testing and outcome evaluation in order to generate an evidence base. Concurrently, the article reflects on current guidance for intervention development and how it may be used and optimized to strengthen developmental processes in the future.

Initial programme theory development: The first step in a realist evaluation of a cross-sectoral intervention for expectant Danish parents living with psychosocial risks.

A distinct inequality in maternity care exists, and women with psychosocial risks are at a greater risk of adverse birth outcomes. In several high-income countries, a psychosocial risk assessment early in pregnancy is recommended so that expectant parents are offered an appropriate level of care which facilitates relevant, tailored interventions for those in need. In 2017, a cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary intervention for expectant parents with psychosocial risks was developed and implemented in the North Denmark Region. The development process of the intervention has not been reported and theory-based knowledge about how supportive interventions bring about change for expectant parents with psychosocial risks is scarce. Through the initial phase of a realist evaluation, we aimed to elicit key contexts and mechanisms of change regarding the intervention for expectant parents with psychosocial risks. Through an initial programme theory, this article illustrates how, for whom and in which contexts the intervention is intended to work. Data is comprised of intervention documents, 14 pilot observations and 29 realist interviews with key stakeholders. A thematic analytical approach inspired by retroductive thinking was applied to identify and analyse patterns related to the incentive of the intervention, its structure, intended outcomes, generative mechanisms and contextual matters. Generative mechanisms responsible for bringing about change in the intervention were identified as healthcare professionals' approach, continuity, trust, early intervention and social network. Cross-sectoral collaboration and healthcare professionals' competencies were assumed to be central stimulating contextual factors. The initial programme theory developed in this study will serve as the basis for further refinement via empirical testing in a later phase of the realist evaluation.

'It's about developing a trustful relationship': A Realist Evaluation of midwives' relational competencies and confidence in a Danish antenatal psychosocial assessment programme.

OBJECTIVE: to explore how contextual conditions influence midwives' relational competencies, ability and confidence to undertake psychosocial assessment of pregnant women and their partners during the first antenatal consultation that identifies expectant parents in vulnerable positions. DESIGN: a realist evaluation carried out through three phases: 1) development 2) testing and 3) refinement of programme theories. Data was generated through realist interviews and observations. SETTING: nine community-based and hospital-based midwife clinics in the North Region of Denmark. INTERVENTION: a dialogue-based psychosocial assessment programme in the the North Region of Denmark was evaluated. PARTICIPANTS AND DATA: 15 midwives were interviewed and 16 observations of midwives undertaking psychosocial assessment during the first antenatal consultation were conducted. FINDINGS: contextual conditions at multiple levels which supported midwives' relational competencies, autonomy and the power of peer reflection-and thus facilitation of a woman-centred approach and trust-were identified, i.e., being experienced, having interest, organisational prioritisation of peer reflection and flexibility. Where midwives lacked experience, competency development regarding psychosocial assessment, opportunities for peer reflection and autonomy to individualise care for expectant parents in vulnerable positions, the approach to assessment tended to become institution-centred which caused a distant dialogue and instrumental assessment which potentially harmed the midwife-woman/couple relationship. CONCLUSION: midwives' ability and confidence to undertake psychosocial assessment were affected by whether individual and organisational contextual conditions empowered them to assess and care for expectant parents within a philosophy of woman-centred care. Accordingly, development of trustful midwife-woman/couple relationships - which is essential for disclosure - was achievable. These conditions become fundamental for securing quality of antenatal care for expectant parents in vulnerable positions.

Trusting parent-professional relationships in interprofessional interventions for expectant and new parents in vulnerable positions: A realist evaluation.

Interprofessional collaboration and trusting parent-professional relationships can be key to delivering interprofessional care to meet the needs of expectant and new parents in vulnerable positions. This, however, presents challenges. This study aimed to gain deeper understanding of how and under what circumstances trusting parent-professional relationships develop and work within interprofessional team-based care for this group, from the professionals' perspectives. Realist evaluation was undertaken based on 14 semi-structured, realist interviews with midwives and health visitors and 11 observations. Multiple interrelated mechanisms were identified including patient/family-centered care, timely and relevant interprofessional involvement in care, gentle interprofessional bridging, transparency of intervention roles and purposes, and relational continuity. Good interprofessional collaboration was a primary condition for these mechanisms. Developed, trusting relationships supported parents' engagements with interprofessional care and constituted a supportive safety net that promoted parenting skills and coping abilities. We identified harmful mechanisms: distanced encounters, uncertainty of interprofessional involvement, and compromising the safe space. These mechanisms caused distrust and disengagement. Ensuring trusting parent-professional relationships within interprofessional team-based care demands each professional involved competently engages in relational work and interprofessional collaboration. Uncontrollability is thus influenced regarding interpersonal connection and potentially gives an explanation when trust-building efforts fail.

Effect of an electronic reminder of follow-up screening after pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To determine the effectiveness of despatching an electronic reminder of participation in screening for gestational diabetes. The reminder was sent to the women 1-8 years after delivery. METHODS: A registry-based, randomized controlled trial in the North Denmark Region among women with gestational diabetes. Randomization was made, which included seven groups stratified by the child's birth year (2012-2018). The intervention group received standard care supplemented by an electronic reminder through a secure nationwide email system (n = 731), while the control group received only standard care (n = 732). The primary outcome was based on blood testing for diabetes (OGTT, HbA1c or fasting P-glucose). RESULTS: A total of 471 (32.1%) women participated in screening. The primary outcome was experienced by 257 women (35.1%) in the intervention group and 214 women (29.2%) in the control group. The effect of the reminder seemed to increase with recipient's age, non-western origin, urban dwelling, and multiparity. Of those who participated in follow-up screening, 56 (3.8%) were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSION: Electronic reminders, based on the principles of informed choice and patient-centred care, to women have been shown to support life-long participation in follow-up screening. Attempts to further stimulation of coverage could however be considered. TRAIL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN registry (22/04/2022, ISRCTN23558707).

Creating coherent perinatal care journeys: An ethnographic study of the role of continuity of care for Danish parents in a vulnerable position.

BACKGROUND: While continuity of care is a core element of high-quality maternity care, it is potentially even more important for pregnant women and their partners who are at risk of adverse health outcomes because of psychosocial vulnerability. However, little is known about how a coherent care journey can be ensured for women and families who may require interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral services during pregnancy and the postnatal period. AIM: To explore the role of continuity of care in creating a coherent care journey for vulnerable parents during pregnancy and the postnatal period. METHODS: An ethnographic study conducted in Denmark based on interviews with, and field observations, of 26 mothers and 13 fathers receiving services due to mental health problems, young age, past substance abuse and/or adverse childhood experiences. FINDINGS: Three key findings emerged: 1). Developing relationships allowed parents to know and feel known by care providers, which helped them feel secure and reach out for support. 2). Handover of information allowed parents to feel secure as their need for support was recognised by care providers; some parents, however, felt exposed when information was shared 3). Receiving relevant services allowed parents to have their needs for support addressed, which requires easy referral pathways and coordination of services. CONCLUSION: All forms of continuity of care should be prioritised in the organisation of maternity care services for women and families in vulnerable positions. While relational continuity is important, continuity of care must also reach across providers, sectors and services to ensure coherent care journeys.

The role of social support in the experience of life with ischemic heart disease for socially disadvantaged patients: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) displays wide social inequalities that are often explained with reference to lifestyle factors. However, research indicates that social support may also play an important role in social inequality in IHD. This study aims to explore the role of social support in the experience of life with IHD for socially disadvantaged patients. METHODS: The study was conducted as a critical hermeneutic qualitative study in Denmark between October 2018 and August 2019. Data consist of in-depth qualitative interviews with 30 socially disadvantaged patients with IHD. RESULTS: The findings showed a notable difference between the participants who were engaged in close and supportive social relationships and those who were not. Life with IHD for those who lacked supportive relationships tended to be marked by feelings of chaos, powerlessness and meaninglessness. Contrarily, those who were engaged in supportive relationships received help to navigate their life with illness, reconcile with what had happened to them, feel empowered, and gain a sense of meaning in their life.Discussion: Social support from close social relationships appears to be crucial for socially disadvantaged ischemic heart patients, and should be encouraged and facilitated in healthcare and interventions targeting this patient group.

A kind reminder-A qualitative process evaluation of women's perspectives on receiving a reminder of type 2 diabetes follow-up screening after gestational diabetes.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are more than eight times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (T2DM) compared to women without GDM. Annual follow-up T2DM-screening is recommended, but participation rates decrease rapidly after the first year. In the North Denmark Region, an electronic reminder has been tested with the aim of improving follow-up care for women with prior GDM. The aim of this study was to explore women's perspectives on receiving an electronic reminder, and the role of reminders in both women's decision-making and informed choice regarding participation in follow-up screening. METHODS: A qualitative process evaluation informed by a critical realistic perspective. Data consisted of 20 semi-structured interviews with women previously diagnosed with GDM who had received the reminder. Interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: The reminder affected women's decision-making and informed choices through a range of mechanisms. Its personalized design prompted feelings of co-responsibility and care from the healthcare system, supported continuity in women's care pathways, and helped women bridge the gap between healthcare sectors. Women's perception of diabetes risk and the importance of follow-up influenced their decision-making. Participation in follow-up screening was influenced by several contextual factors, as women's everyday life impeded their prioritizing follow-up screening. Women who experienced being met by their general practitioner (GP) with acknowledgement rather than stigmatization and received supportive information tailored to their life situation were more motivated to participate in future follow-up screenings. CONCLUSION: The reminder indicated both concern and co-responsibility for women's follow-up care after GDM and was well received by the women. It supported participation in follow-up screening through an emphasis on shared decision-making and informed choice. Women's interaction with their GP played a significant role.

The added value and unintended negative consequences of public involvement processes in the planning, development and implementation of community health services: Results from a thematic synthesis.

PURPOSE: Public involvement is widely considered a means to improve health and quality of health services. The research literature reveals ambiguities concerning added value and unintended negative consequences of public involvement processes. The aim of this study is to identify, synthesise and present an overview of added value and unintended negative consequences of public involvement processes in the planning, development and implementation of community health services. METHODS: Data from 36 peer-reviewed articles retrieved from a systematic search in the CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, ProQuest, and Scopus databases in October 2019 and updated in April 2021 were extracted. A three-step thematic synthesis was conducted involving (1) line-by-line text coding, (2) developing descriptive themes and (3) generating analytical themes. RESULTS: Two main themes along with their corresponding themes provided an overview of the added value of public involvement processes at the individual, service and political levels. Unintended negative consequences concerning individual resources, uncertainty about the effect of involvement and power differences were revealed. CONCLUSION: Added value of public involvement processes is primarily reported on an individual and service level. The added value seems to be accompanied by unintended negative consequences. Training of professional facilitators and recruitment of participants that come from vulnerable groups could help promote equality in public involvement. Unintended negative consequences need to be further explored in future evaluations in order to achieve the desired goals of public involvement.

Six-year-old children had greater risks of functional gastrointestinal disorders if their parents had mental health conditions.

AIM: This study examined any associations between parents' mental health conditions and hospital diagnoses of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in offspring at the age of six. We also examined any associations between children who met these criteria and attended routine Danish preventive child health appointments. METHODS: Nationwide registers identified all children born in Denmark from 2000 to 2011 and parents' mental health conditions. Negative binomial regression analyses estimated the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of children receiving their first hospital diagnosis for an FGID at the age of six. RESULTS: We identified 750,379 children and 38% had at least one parent with a mental health condition: 24% were minor, 12% were moderate, and 2% were severe. These children faced a higher risk of an FGID diagnosis than children whose parents did not have mental health conditions. The IRRs were highest for maternal exposure: minor (1.35, 95% CI 1.29-1.42), moderate (1.58, 95% CI 1.48-1.67) and severe (1.58, 95% CI 1.38-1.81). Attending routine preventive child health examinations was associated with a higher risk of FGIDs associated with parents' mental health conditions. CONCLUSION: Paediatric FGIDs were associated with parents' mental health conditions, especially mothers, and attending routine preventive child health examinations.

Follow-up after gestational diabetes: a qualitative study of perspectives from general practices.

BACKGROUND: Women whose pregnancies are complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are approximately eight times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although regular participation in follow-up screening increases the chance of early detection of diabetes, participation rates are often suboptimal. A better understanding of general practice as a key contextual setting for screening could help inform the development and adoption of, for example, electronic reminder interventions to support women's participation. AIM: To explore the perspectives of GPs and relevant staff members engaged in early detection of diabetes after gestational diabetes in order to identify barriers to and facilitators of follow-up screening. DESIGN & SETTING: A qualitative interview study undertaken in general practices in the North Denmark Region. METHOD: Based on a purposive sample strategy, 18 semi-structured interviews of 12 GPs and six staff members, who were either nurses or midwives, were analysed using a reflexive thematic analytical approach. RESULTS: The following three main themes were formulated: (1) challenges of addressing women's risk; (2) prioritisation of early detection of diabetes; and (3) system influence on clinical procedures. CONCLUSION: Follow-up screening was facilitated by knowledge of guidelines. Professional collaboration and adaptation support were found to lead to successful implementation of guidelines in general practice. Supporting GPs and their staff's reflection and discussion of ways to engage in communication and decisionmaking processes with women is, however, important; it was found to create an important barrier to follow-up screening. Overall, the findings can help inform the future development of interventions to increase uptake.

Parental mental health, socioeconomic position and the risk of asthma in children-a nationwide Danish register study.

BACKGROUND: Parental mental illness affects child health. However, less is known about the impact of different severities of maternal depression and anxiety as well as other mental health conditions. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of different severities of maternal and paternal mental health conditions on child asthma. METHODS: This nationwide, register-based cohort study included all children in Denmark born from 2000 to 2014. Exposure was parental mental health conditions categorized in three severities: minor (treated at primary care settings), moderate (all ICD-10 F-diagnoses given at psychiatric hospital) and severe (diagnoses of severe mental illness). The children were followed from their third to sixth birthday. Child asthma was identified by prescribed medication and hospital-based diagnoses. Incidence rate ratios were calculated using negative binomial regression analyses. RESULTS: The analyses included 925 288 children; 26% of the mothers and 16% of the fathers were classified with a mental health condition. Exposed children were more likely to have asthma (10.6-12.0%) compared with unexposed children (8.5-9.0%). The three severities of mental health conditions of the mother and the father increased the risk of child asthma, most evident for maternal exposure. Additive interaction between maternal mental health conditions and disadvantaged socioeconomic position was found. CONCLUSION: We found an increased risk of asthma in exposed children, highest for maternal exposure. Not only moderate and severe, but also minor mental health conditions increased the risk of child asthma. The combination of mental health condition and disadvantaged socioeconomic position for mothers revealed a relative excess risk.

Improving oral health in nursing home residents: A cluster randomized trial of a shared oral care intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To compare a designated shared oral care intervention in a group of public nursing home residents with a standard oral care programme, focusing on levels of oral plaque and oral inflammation. METHODS: A cluster randomized field trial was undertaken in 14 Danish public nursing homes. There were 145 participants included in the intervention group and 98 in the control group. We undertook a six-month intervention based on the principle of situated interprofessional learning. The primary outcomes were plaque and inflammation levels measured with the mucosal plaque index (MPS); this was assessed at baseline, after three and six months (end of intervention), and at follow-up (six months postintervention). The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated with ordinal regression. RESULTS: Socio-demographic characteristics and oral health status at baseline were comparable between the two groups, with the exception of age: the intervention group were significantly younger than controls (median 82 vs 87 years). After three and six months, those receiving the shared oral care intervention had significantly lower plaque and inflammation than the control group. The adjusted ORs for a reduction in MPS were 11.8 (CI: 6.5-21.3) and 11.0 (CI: 5.8-20.9), respectively. At follow-up, plaque levels and oral inflammation had approached the pre-intervention level, with no remaining statistically significant group differences. CONCLUSIONS: The shared oral care intervention based on a situated learning perspective was effective in improving oral health among care home residents. However, after termination of the intervention, the effect quickly decreased. This confirms the challenges of achieving long-term improvement in oral health in nursing home residents. An implementation strategy focusing on achieving changes at both organizational and individual levels with persistent attention to oral health care seem required for long-term improvement.

The role of social technologies in community care - A realist evaluation of a Danish web-based citizen-to-citizen platform adopted in community care to promote belonging and mental health.

As social technologies increase in popularity, there is a growing interest in incorporating them into mental health interventions. Research shows that the use of social technologies may support belonging and mental health. Findings, however, are contradictory and highlight the need to clarify the processes and mechanisms by which this technology may have positive effects. This study conducted a realist evaluation of a web-based citizen-to-citizen platform adopted within community care in a Danish Municipality. It focused on how, for whom and under what circumstances the web-based platform worked to promote belonging and mental health. The evaluation was structured in subsequent phases of development, testing, and refinement of programme theories. A purposeful sampling frame was developed based on the programme theories, and 27 interviews were conducted. With variations, the platform was found to support its users in meeting their social needs by (a) expanding their access to social networks; (b) allowing them to overcome barriers related to reaching out to new people in real life and (c) providing them with an improved starting point for identification of a relational match. Whether this resulted in improved belongingness and mental health was strongly affected by individual and relational circumstances. Findings suggest that web-based platforms that aim to enable citizens to locate friends and activity partners can serve as helpful tools in interventions striving to promote mental health in the community, as they may support people to fulfil a need for belongingness. However, the impact of such tools is highly dependent on the individual's abilities to use the initiatives to form relationships of sufficient quality to accommodate these needs. People with previous relational difficulties, and who have struggled to achieve feelings of belonging and citizens with limited digital literacy, may need support to realise the social opportunities provided by these technologies.

Recruiting residents from disadvantaged neighbourhoods for community-based health promotion and disease prevention services in Denmark-How, why and under what circumstances does an active door-to-door recruitment approach work?

Residents living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods have higher mortality and morbidity and participate less in health services than people living in more prosperous areas. Studies on how and why different approaches work for recruiting residents from disadvantaged neighbourhoods to health services are needed. Conducting face-to-face meetings with obliging health professionals (HPs) as part of an active recruitment strategy increases interest in service use, particularly among the most vulnerable residents. The services offered must be free, flexible and easily accessible for residents from disadvantaged neighbourhoods to consider their use. Residents immediately consider and 'translate' the relevance and acceptability of health services presented to them in light of their current situation, which affects their response. Individual contextual circumstances such as current health issues or difficult life circumstances, either promote or dampen their interest in using the services. This study is a realist evaluation of active face-to-face recruitment where HPs go from door-to-door to visit residents in disadvantaged neighbourhoods and offer them community-based health promotion and disease prevention services. A programme theory explicating the assumptions behind this recruitment approach was tested empirically in the present study. Eight direct observations of the active recruitment process in three different neighbourhoods and 17 realist interviews with residents were conducted. Sampling of residents was purposeful and opportunistic. Data were collected between March and August 2018. The findings support the use of active face-to-face recruitment in disadvantaged neighbourhoods to increase participation in health interventions. A broad range of health services should be presented to residents to accommodate their different needs and interests. Refusal to have services presented during active recruitment was rare, but more knowledge about these reasons for declining services is needed.

Public involvement in the planning, development and implementation of community health services: A scoping review of public involvement methods.

Services have improved due to public involvement in the planning, development, and implementation of health services. A wide range of public involvement methods, based on highly diversified methodological approaches and conceptualisations, have been developed. However, the extensive growth of new and different involvement methods lacks consistency and promotes uncertainty about which methods to apply when, how, and why. Aiming to identify, chart and summarise public involvement methods in the planning, development and implementation of community health services, we conducted a systematic search in April 2021. Seven databases were searched: CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, ProQuest and Scopus. The systematic facet search corresponded with the PCC framework: Patient (P), Concept (C) and Context (C). A descriptive synthesis and a thematic analysis of included studies were conducted. Thirty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Two main categories of public involvement methods were identified: multiple methods approaches and single method approaches involving a variety of involvement activities. The characteristics of the two categories of methods were coded in accordance with methodological approach, activity and facilitation technique. The majority of the studies` methodological approach was either participatory or community-based. A variety of techniques to facilitate group discussions, sharing of ideas, and group processes were used. The results provide an overview of the characteristics of different public involvement methods, which may inform agencies and practitioners in choosing appropriate methods to qualify the public involvement in planning, developing, and implementing community health services. Further research is needed on how to manage public involvement in the implementation of community health services. In addition, rigorous evaluation studies of the impact of public involvement methods are needed.

Detect, trace and react: Danish senior centre staffs' awareness of and response to signs of deteriorating health or well-being among senior centre users - An ethnographic field study.

Senior centre staff members seemingly have an important organisational and administrative role, as well as engage in outreach activities, referral and follow-up in relation to health issues among senior centre users. However, their role in health promotion and illness prevention is easily overlooked and under researched. This study aimed to explore municipal senior centre staffs' awareness of and response to signs of deteriorating health or well-being among users. A multisite ethnographic field study was conducted at seven municipal senior centres in Denmark from November 2019 to February 2020. Data were obtained from participant observation and semi-structured individual interviews with 16 staff members. A thematic analysis strategy helped identify themes of importance. Senior centre staff followed a process of three steps when remaining aware of and responding to signs of deteriorating health and well-being among users: detecting, tracing and reacting. Three themes with corresponding subthemes were identified: Establishing close and trusting relationships, facilitating a community feeling and utilising joint collaboration. Each subtheme was linked to some or all of the three steps in the process. The municipal senior centre staff had a strong and explicit focus on detecting, tracing and reacting to signs of deteriorating health and well-being among senior centre users. This makes the senior centres a promising arena for illness prevention and health promotion.

An Overwhelming Burden of Psychosocial Stress: Life With Ischemic Heart Disease for Midlife Patients With Low Socioeconomic Status and Lack of Flexible Resources.

The largest social inequalities in ischemic heart disease are found in the midlife population. These inequalities are often explained by lifestyle factors, while the role of structural factors and psychosocial stress are generally less acknowledged. In this study, we explore the influence of psychosocial stress on life with ischemic heart disease for midlife patients with low socioeconomic status and lack of flexible resources. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 participants, and a critical hermeneutic approach was used to analyze and interpret data. We found that the participants were exposed to several external psychosocial stressors related to their family relationships, employment conditions, and experiences of stigmatization. These stressors reinforced each other and created an overwhelming burden of psychosocial stress. Our findings call for supportive interventions that target external psychosocial stressors and stressful feelings among this vulnerable group of patients.

The risk of preterm birth in combinations of socioeconomic position and mental health conditions in different age groups: a Danish nationwide register-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Inequality in preterm birth is a world-wide challenge that has proved difficult for maternity care services to meet. Reducing the inequality requires identification of pregnant women at particularly high risk of preterm birth in order to target interventions. Therefore, the aim was to estimate the risk of preterm birth in women with different combinations of socioeconomic position, mental health conditions, and age. METHODS: In this nationwide register-based cohort study, we included all first-time mothers that gave birth to a singleton liveborn infant in Denmark between 2000 and 2016. The absolute and relative risk of preterm birth (< 37 weeks of gestation) was examined in different combinations of educational level (high, intermediate, and low) and mental health conditions (no, minor, and moderate/severe) in three age strata (≤23, 24-30, and ≥ 31 years). We estimated the relative risk using Poisson regression with a robust error variance. As additive interaction can help identify subgroups where limited resources can be of best use, we measured the attributable proportion to assess the risk that is due to interaction of the different exposures. RESULTS: Of the 415,523 included first-time mothers, 6.3% gave birth prematurely. The risk of preterm birth increased with decreasing educational level and increasing severity of mental health conditions in all age strata, but most in women aged ≥31 years. The highest absolute risk was 12.9% [95% CI: 11.2;14.8%] in women aged ≥31 years with low education and moderate/severe mental health conditions resulting in a relative risk of 2.23 [95% CI: 1.93-2.58] compared to the unexposed reference group in that age strata. We found positive additive interaction between low education and mental health conditions in women aged 24-30 and ≥ 31 years and between age ≥ 31 years and combinations of mental health conditions and educational levels. CONCLUSION: The inequality in preterm birth increased with increasing age. To reduce inequality in preterm birth focused attention on women with higher age further combined with lower educational levels and mental health conditions is essential.

Risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in infants born to mothers with mental health conditions.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal mental health conditions have been shown to affect perinatal outcomes negatively. However, knowledge on the impact of different types and severities of maternal mental health conditions is needed. The objective of this study was to determine the association between maternal mental health status and perinatal health outcomes in the infant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This register-based cohort study included all live-born infants in Denmark born between 2000 and 2016. Exposed infants were grouped based on whether the mothers received mental health care in primary care settings only (minor conditions) or required specialized psychiatric intervention (moderate-severe conditions) within 12 months before childbirth. Modified Poisson regression analyses were applied to produce adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) for each perinatal outcome of interest. The primary outcomes were neonatal mortality, 5-minute Apgar scores <7 and <4 and newborn hospital admission during the neonatal period. Secondary outcomes included several neonatal morbidities such as respiratory distress syndrome and abstinence syndrome. RESULTS: A total of 952 071 infants were included in the analysis; 4.0% had mothers with minor mental health conditions and 2.9% had mothers with moderate-severe conditions. The risk of neonatal death in exposed infants was aRR 1.08 (95% CI 0.93-1.27) for minor mental health conditions and aRR 0.93 (95% CI 0.78-1.11) for moderate-severe conditions. Both exposure groups had increased risks of 5-minute Apgar scores <7 (minor: aRR 1.28, 95% CI 1.16-1.41; moderate-severe: aRR 1.49, 95% CI 1.34-1.66); 5-minute Apgar scores <4 (minor: aRR 1.10, 95% CI 0.93-1.30; moderate-severe: aRR 1.18, 95% CI 0.98-1.43), and hospital admission during the neonatal period (minor: aRR 1.20, 95% CI 1.17-1.23; moderate-severe: aRR 1.22, 95% CI 1.19-1.26) along with several neonatal morbidities. An explicit high risk was seen for abstinence syndrome (minor: aRR 10.30, 95% CI 8.40-12.63; moderate-severe: aRR 12.13, 95% CI 10.17-15.67). CONCLUSIONS: Infants of mothers with moderate-severe and minor mental health conditions were at increased risks of multiple adverse perinatal outcomes. Effective supportive interventions to improve outcomes in both groups are needed.