Impact of Paternal Postpartum Depression on Maternal and Infant Health: A Narrative Review of the Literature.

Postpartum depression (PPD) has been widely studied, assessed, and promptly intervened in new mothers. However, paternal postpartum depression gained attention not long ago. Postpartum depression in men could present over one year following the birth of the child, frequently presenting with symptoms like irritability, low mood, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, fatigue, and loss of interest in everyday activities; amongst other symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder which may hinder them from taking care of themselves and the baby. Paternal PPD significantly impacts partner relationships causing maternal PPD, poor infant bonding, and therefore, affecting overall child development. The following narrative review is based on a literature search of articles published on paternal postnatal depression. The primary emphasis of this review has been to provide an overview of the current comprehension of paternal postpartum depression regarding prevalence, global incidence, and risk factors and to explore potential diagnostic tools for assessment and interventional strategies to treat this condition. Interestingly, pandemic-related stressors have been positively attributed to an increase in PPD prevalence post-pandemic. While more research is being conducted on this subject, research on the measurement characteristics of the diagnostic tools is highly recommended to implement well-defined criteria for early diagnosis of paternal PPD. The significant adverse consequences of PPD for not just the new mother, but also the infants, necessitate proper and timely diagnosis of PPD. Despite its severity, there have been no specific treatment modalities.

Tecnologias eHealth nos cuidados parentais aos bebês nascidos prematuros: revisão integrativa / EHealth technologies in parental care for preterm infants: an integrative review

Resumo As tecnologias eHealth contribuem na promoção das práticas parentais de cuidado para bebês pré-termo. Não obstante, é notável a abundância de informações e aplicativos disponíveis, a disparidade na qualidade, facilidade de uso e confiabilidade desses recursos. Este artigo objetiva examinar as tecnologias eHealth direcionadas aos pais para o cuidado de bebês pré-termo. Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa nas principais bases de dados da área da saúde (Capes, EBSCO, BVS, PubMed, Scholar e SciELO), com a seleção de publicações de 2011 a 2022, em português e inglês, sobre a utilização de tecnologias eHealth voltadas aos cuidados de bebês pré-termo. Identificaram-se 13 artigos com temáticas sobre: as tecnologias da informação e comunicação nas estratégias de educação e a promoção da saúde de bebês pré-termo e seus pais; e importância da avaliação e validação das tecnologias eHealth na promoção da saúde materno-infantil. Tecnologias eHealth validadas adequadamente podem desempenhar um papel fundamental em apoiar os pais na promoção da saúde e na prestação de cuidados ao bebê pré-termo após a alta hospitalar. Isso, por sua vez, tem o potencial de impulsionar a evolução dos sistemas de saúde e a melhoria das práticas clínicas.

Abstract The eHealth technologies promote parental care practices for preterm infants. Nonetheless, we should underscore the abundant information and available apps and disparities in these resources' quality, usability, and reliability. This article examines eHealth technologies directed at parents to care for preterm infants. An integrative review was conducted across the principal health databases (Capes, EBSCO, BVS, PubMed, Scholar, and SciELO), selecting works published from 2011 to 2022 in Portuguese and English, focusing on the use of eHealth technologies for the care of preterm infants. We identified 13 articles related to information and communication technologies in strategies for educating and promoting the health of preterm infants and their parents and the importance of evaluating and validating eHealth technologies in maternal and child health promotion. Properly validated eHealth technologies can be crucial in supporting parents in promoting health and providing care for preterm infants after hospital discharge, which, in turn, can drive the evolution of healthcare systems and improve clinical practices.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Adverse Maternal Obstetrical Events Among Teenage Mothers Delivering in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Southwestern Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Many female teenagers in low-resource settings conceive, of which half are unplanned and end in many deaths in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for the majority of the cases. Teenage pregnancy is associated sometimes with poor maternal, newborn, and child deaths. OBJECTIVES:  The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, maternal obstetric outcomes, and factors associated with poor maternal obstetric outcomes among teenage mothers delivering at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. METHODS:  This was a cross-sectional study carried out in a maternity ward at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where 9,200 mothers deliver annually. All the women coming in for the delivery of their babies were consecutively approached for inclusion in the study. The women were enrolled in the post-delivery ward after delivery and interviewed with pretested questionnaires to capture the sociodemographic, obstetric, and medical profiles of the mothers. Factors were significant if the p-value was <0.05.  Results: Out of the 327 participants, the majority were rural dwellers (68.5%), married (75.8%), attained primary education (69.4%), had not used contraception (89%), and had had a planned pregnancy (63.3%). The prevalence of adverse maternal obstetrical events was 59.9%. The HIV-positive rate was 4.9%, and about half of the participants had delivered by cesarean section (41.6%). The participants' mean age was 18.4 years and SD 1.1. The mean number of antenatal care contacts attended was 4.59 and SD 1.9. The adverse maternal outcomes included episiotomy (30.9%), perineal tear (18.7%), premature rupture of membranes (10.1%), placenta abruption (5.2%), and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (4%). Having a cesarean delivery was found to significantly reduce the occurrence of adverse maternal obstetric events among the participants by 97% (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% CI) of 0.03 (0.02-0.06), p-value<0.001). Having a prior history of a miscarriage was significantly associated with the occurrence of adverse maternal obstetrical events among the participants (aOR (95% CI) of 6.55 (1.46-29.42), p-value0.014). CONCLUSIONS:  Slightly more than half of the teenage mothers had adverse maternal obstetrical outcomes, and a history of a miscarriage in previous pregnancies was significantly associated with adverse maternal obstetrical outcomes. Having a cesarean delivery was found to significantly reduce the occurrence of adverse maternal obstetric events among the participants. Teenage mothers are at a high risk of adverse maternal obstetrical outcomes, and close antepartum and intrapartum surveillance is recommended.

Concordance of weight status between mothers and children: a secondary analysis of the Pakistan Demographic and health survey VII.

BACKGROUND: Familial concordance of weight status is an emerging field of study that may guide the development of interventions that operate beyond the individual and within the family context. There is a dearth of published data for concordance of weight status within Pakistani households. METHODS: We assessed the associations between weight status of mothers and their children in a nationally representative sample of households in Pakistan using Demographic and Health Survey data from 2017-18. Our analysis included 3465 mother-child dyads, restricting to children under-five years of age with body mass index (BMI) information on their mothers. We used linear regression models to assess the associations between maternal BMI category (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese) and child's weight-for-height z-score (WHZ), accounting for socio-demographic characteristics of mothers and children. We assessed these relationships in all children under-five and also stratified by age of children (younger than 2 years and 2 to 5 years). RESULTS: In all children under-five and in children 2 to 5 years, maternal BMI was positively associated with child's WHZ. For all children under-five, children of normal weight, overweight, and obese women had WHZ scores that were 0.21 [95% CI (confidence interval): 0.04, 0.37], 0.43 [95% CI: 0.25, 0.62], and 0.51 [95% CI: 0.30, 0.71] units higher than children of underweight women, respectively. For children ages 2 to 5, children of normal weight, overweight, and obese women had WHZ scores that were 0.26 [95% CI: 0.08, 0.44), 0.50 [95% CI: 0.30, 0.71), and 0.61 [95% CI: 0.37, 0.84] units higher than children of underweight women, respectively. There was no association between maternal BMI and child WHZ for children under-two. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the weight status of mother's is positively associated with that of their children, particularly after age 2. These associations further strengthen the call for research regarding interventions and policies aimed at healthy weight promotion among mothers and their children collectively, rather than focusing on individuals in isolation.

The mark of success: The role of vaccine-induced skin scar formation for BCG and smallpox vaccine-associated clinical benefits.

Skin scar formation following Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) or smallpox (Vaccinia) vaccination is an established marker of successful vaccination and 'vaccine take'. Potent pathogen-specific (tuberculosis; smallpox) and pathogen-agnostic (protection from diseases unrelated to the intentionally targeted pathogen) effects of BCG and smallpox vaccines hold significant translational potential. Yet despite their use for centuries, how scar formation occurs and how local skin-based events relate to systemic effects that allow these two vaccines to deliver powerful health promoting effects has not yet been determined. We review here what is known about the events occurring in the skin and place this knowledge in the context of the overall impact of these two vaccines on human health with a particular focus on maternal-child health.

Linking Maternal and Child Health Data to Enhance Public Health Surveillance and Implement Sustainable Interventions.

Our initiative aims to enhance the public health informatics infrastructure for surveillance of maternal and child health (MCH) using data captured from electronic health records (EHRs), public health information systems, and administrative health data. Our work includes development, validation, and application of linkage algorithms across records for mothers and children; integration of data across myriad sources; design of routine surveillance reports; and design of longitudinal studies to examine determinants and outcomes in MCH populations. Our work is conducted in partnership with governmental public health agencies, health care providers, academic institutions, and community-based organizations. Future work will build on the enhanced informatics infrastructure to draw from additional public health data sources and/or expand surveillance efforts to include prioritized MCH outcomes. We will further translate knowledge gained from surveillance into action, working with our partners to improve and sustain better MCH equitably in our population.

Caesarean section and associated factors in Nigeria: assessing inequalities between rural and urban areas-insights from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018.

INTRODUCTION: When medically indicated, caesarean section (CS) can be a life-saving intervention for mothers and their newborns. This study assesses the prevalence of CS and its associated factors, focussing on inequalities between rural and urban areas in Nigeria. METHODS: We disaggregated the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018 and performed analyses separately for Nigeria's overall, rural, and urban residences. We summarised data using frequency tabulations and identified factors associated with CS through multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: CS prevalence was 2.7% in Nigeria (overall), 5.2% in urban and 1.2% in rural areas. The North-West region had the lowest prevalence of 0.7%, 1.5% and 0.4% for the overall, urban and rural areas, respectively. Mothers with higher education demonstrated a greater CS prevalence of 14.0% overall, 15.3% in urban and 9.7% in rural residences. Frequent internet use increased CS prevalence nationally (14.3%) and in urban (15.1%) and rural (10.1%) residences. The southern regions showed higher CS prevalence, with the South-West leading overall (7.0%) and in rural areas (3.3%), and the South-South highest in urban areas (8.5%). Across all residences, rich wealth index, maternal age ≥ 35, lower birth order, and ≥ eight antenatal (ANC) contacts increased the odds of a CS. In rural Nigeria, husbands' education, spouses' joint healthcare decisions, birth size, and unplanned pregnancy increased CS odds. In urban Nigeria, multiple births, Christianity, frequent internet use, and ease of getting permission to visit healthcare facilities were associated with higher likelihood of CS. CONCLUSION: CS utilisation remains low in Nigeria and varies across rural-urban, regional, and socioeconomic divides. Targeted interventions are imperative for uneducated and socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers across all regions, as well as for mothers in urban areas who adhere to Islam, traditional, or 'other' religions. Comprehensive intervention measures should prioritise educational opportunities and resources, especially for rural areas, awareness campaigns on the benefits of medically indicated CS, and engagement with community and religious leaders to promote acceptance using culturally and religiously sensitive approaches. Other practical strategies include promoting optimal ANC contacts, expanding internet access and digital literacy, especially for rural women (e.g., through community Wi-Fi programs), improving healthcare infrastructure and accessibility in regions with low CS prevalence, particularly in the North-West, and implementing socioeconomic empowerment programs, especially for women in rural areas.

A Model for Engaging Citizen Scientists: A Community-Partnered Research Collaboration to Address Inequities for Black Birthing People.

PURPOSE: Co-creation of a citizen-science research initiative with a collaborative team of community members and university-based scientists to address regional disparities in maternal and fetal health outcomes for Black birthing people. DESCRIPTION: Citizen scientist-led projects, where community members actively contribute to each discovery step, from setting a research agenda to collecting data and disseminating results, can extend community participatory research initiatives and help reconceptualize traditional research processes. The Pregnancy Collaborative is a citizen-science research initiative and one of nine scientific committees of The Pittsburgh Study-a longitudinal, community-partnered study designed to bring together collaborators to improve child thriving. ASSESSMENT: Ten community members and five university-based scientists participated during all phases of developing a citizen-scientist collaboration over an initial two-and-a-half-year period. Phases include forming the Pregnancy Collaborative and group research ethics training; co-creating a research agenda grounded in shared principles; and community-partnered data collection, analysis, and dissemination. These phases produced three key co-designed products: (1) a mission and vision statement of the Pregnancy Collaborative, (2) a Collaborative-endorsed research agenda, and (3) a citizen-scientist-executed research survey. CONCLUSION: Lessons learned from the formation of the Pregnancy Collaborative highlight the importance of equitable power distribution through bidirectional knowledge sharing and by centering intellectual effort, lived experience, and tools and resources of those affected by health inequities. Using a citizen science approach to co-designing and executing research helps us move maternal health inequity work from "research on" to "research with."

County-level Structural Vulnerabilities in Maternal Health and Geographic Variation in Infant Mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether community factors that differentially affect the health of pregnant people contribute to geographic differences in infant mortality across the United States. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study sought to characterize the association of a novel composite measure of county-level maternal structural vulnerabilities, the Maternal Vulnerability Index (MVI), with risk of infant death. We evaluated 11,456,232 singleton infants born at 22 0/7 through 44 6/7 weeks' gestation from 2012 to 2014. Using county-level MVI, which ranges from 0-100, multivariable mixed effects logistic regression models quantified associations per 20-point increment in MVI, with odds of death clustered at the county level and adjusted for state, maternal, and infant covariates. Secondary analyses stratified by the social, physical, and health exposures that comprise the overall MVI score. Outcome was also stratified by cause of death. RESULTS: Odds of death were higher among infants from counties with the greatest maternal vulnerability (0.62% in highest quintile vs 0.32% in lowest quintile, [p<0.001]). Odds of death increased 6% per 20-point increment in MVI (aOR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.04, 1.07). The effect estimate was highest with theme of mental health and substance use (aOR 1.08; 95% CI 1.06, 1.09). Increasing vulnerability was associated with six of seven causes of death. CONCLUSIONS: Community-level social, physical, and healthcare determinants indicative of maternal vulnerability may explain some of the geographic variation in infant death, regardless of cause of death. Interventions targeted to county-specific maternal vulnerabilities may reduce infant mortality.

Unexpected Rhythm: Supraventricular Tachycardia Unveiled in a Neonate Diagnosed at Delivery.

Neonatal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) poses clinical challenges due to its rarity and potential for serious complications. We present a case of a 2.5 kg female neonate delivered at 37.2 weeks of gestation, diagnosed with SVT shortly after birth. Initial management included adenosine administration, which was initially ineffective until a second dose successfully reduced the heart rate. Subsequent episodes required repeated adenosine and the initiation of propranolol therapy. The neonate showed improvement with cessation of SVT episodes, weaning off respiratory support, and successful breastfeeding initiation. Follow-up at one month revealed no recurrent SVT, affirming effective management and favorable outcomes in neonatal SVT cases.

Factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding / Fatores associados ao aleitamento materno na primeira hora de vida

INTRODUCTION: Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is still little stimulated in several hospitals in Brazil. Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF). METHODS: Cross-sectional, quantitative study with retrospective secondary data collection in hospital records of 250 full-term newborns, regardless of the type of delivery, with no history of maternal gestational risk, seen in the last six months. Data collection period in a public maternity hospital in Greater São Paulo. Data collection was performed between November 2018 and January 2019, with approval from the hospital and the FMABC Research Ethics Committee under register n. 2,924,393. RESULTS: The prevalence of EIBF was 66%. BFH is associated with anesthesia at childbirth (p<0,001), APGAR less than or equal to 8 in the 1st and 5th minutes (p<0,001), and with c-section (p<0,001), which represented 29.2% of deliveries in the sample. Respiratory distress (38.82%), hypotonia (24.70%), followed by unfavorable maternal conditions (18.82%), were shown to be impeding factors for EIBF, although 90% of newborns received Apgar 9 /10 in the 5th minute. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of early breastfeeding is lower than recommended, but compatible with the most recent national frequency proportions.

INTRODUÇÃO: O aleitamento materno na primeira hora de vida ainda é pouco estimulado em vários hospitais do Brasil. OBJETIVO: Analisar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao aleitamento materno na primeira hora de vida (AMP) entre recém-nascidos a termo. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, de natureza quantitativa, com coleta de dados secundários retrospectivos em prontuários hospitalares de 250 recém-nascidos a termo, independentemente do tipo de parto, com histórico de gestacional de risco habitual, atendidos nos últimos seis meses anteriores ao período de coleta de dados, em uma maternidade pública da Grande São Paulo. Os dados foram coletados entre novembro de 2018 e janeiro de 2019, por meio de roteiro estruturado, mediante aprovação do hospital e do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da FMABC (Parecer n.º 2.924.393). O banco de dados e o tratamento estatístico foram realizados através do programa STATA®. Para a análise, utilizou-se proporções e teste qui-quadrado, adotando-se um nível de significância de 5% e 95% o intervalo de confiança. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de AMP foi de 66%. O AMP está associado a anestesia no parto (p<0,001), APGAR menor ou igual a 8 no 1º e 5º minutos (p<0,001) e ao parto cesárea (p<0,001), cuja proporção na amostra foi de 29,2%. Desconforto respiratório (38,82%), hipotonia (24,70%), seguido de condições maternas desfavoráveis (18,82%), mostraram-se como fatores impeditivos para o AMP, embora 90% dos recém-nascidos tenham recebido Apgar 9/10 no 5º minuto. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência do aleitamento materno precoce é inferior ao recomendado, porém compatível com as proporções de frequência nacional mais recentes.

Nurturing care assets for food security: a community asset mapping approach.

BACKGROUND: Zip codes classified by the Food Insecurity Index with moderate and high food insecurity (FI) risk can be a threat to the health and well-being of children during the first 1,000 days (from pregnancy to 2 years). The presence of nurturing care assets (i.e., stable environments that promote health and nutrition, learning opportunities, security and safety, and responsive relationships) can contribute to supporting families and their communities, and ultimately reduce systemic barriers to food security. We aimed to identify and characterize nurturing care assets in under-resourced communities with moderate and high FI risk. METHODS: Four steps were used to conduct a Community Asset Mapping (CAM): (1) review of community documents across five zip codes in Clark County, Nevada (2), engagement of community members in identifying community assets (3), definition of the assets providing nurturing care services, and (4) classification of assets to nurturing care components, i.e., good health, adequate nutrition, safety and security, opportunities for early learning, and responsive caregiving. The Food Insecurity Index was used to determine FI risk in each zip code. Analyses explored whether disparities in nurturing care assets across zip codes with moderate and high FI exist. RESULTS: We identified 353 nurturing care assets across zip codes. A more significant number of nurturing care assets were present in zip codes with high FI risk. The adequate nutrition component had the most assets overall (n = 218, 61.8%), while the responsive caregiving category had the least (n = 26, 7.4%). Most of the adequate nutrition resources consisted of convenience stores (n = 96), food pantries (n = 33), and grocery stores (n = 33). Disparities in the number and type of good health, early learning, and security and safety assets were identified within zip codes with high FI risk compared to moderate FI risk. CONCLUSIONS: The quantity and type of nurturing care assets can exacerbate existing demographic disparities across zip codes, which are tied to barriers to access to food in under-resourced communities in Clark County, Nevada. Co-creating a nurturing care asset-based zip code strategy to address high FI risk will require strengthening systems across existing nurturing care assets.

Male Partner Involvement in Birth Preparedness, Complication Readiness and Obstetric Emergencies in Central Rural India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Childbirth is mainly thought to be a woman's concern, and mortality can be prevented by making a birth plan constituting birth preparedness and complication readiness with the entire family as one unit. Indian National Plans aim to increase male involvement, but the policies lack directions and monitoring systems; hence, it becomes important to address this issue. METHODOLOGY:  A cross-sectional study conducted in a rural hospital and a community-based setup included 350 male participants, consisting of new fathers or expecting fathers, who were interviewed with the help of a questionnaire. RESULTS: Only 28.29% of male participants were well involved in the process of birth preparedness and complication readiness. 83% of the husbands accompanied their respective wives during ANC visits (mean number of visits: 5.76). 33% of males were aware of various danger signs and complications related to pregnancy. The males with better education (p-value < 0.005) and economic status (p-value < 0.0001) had better birth preparedness. Several variables in the study were positively correlated with the amount of money saved.  Interpretation and conclusion: Male involvement during pregnancy significantly impacts maternal and child health outcomes. However, this study highlights a lack of awareness and involvement among males. We strongly recommend enhancing existing maternal and child health (MCH) programs to include components focused on male partner engagement in birth preparedness, complication readiness, and obstetric emergencies.

Parent-identified gaps in preparation for the postpartum period in the United States: An integrative review.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, 35% of all pregnancy-related deaths occur between 24 h and 6 weeks after delivery, yet the first outpatient visit is not typically scheduled until 6 weeks postpartum. Thus, the ability to independently navigate this period is critical to maternal well-being and safety. However, previous research suggests that many women feel unprepared to manage the challenges they encounter during this time, and there is a current need to synthesize the existing evidence. Therefore, the purpose of this integrative review is to describe parent-identified gaps in preparation for the postpartum period in the United States. METHODS: Using the Integrative Review framework by Whittemore and Knafl, a systematic search of Medline, CINAHL, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and a hand-search was conducted for peer-reviewed articles published in English between 1995 and 2023. Results were reported according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies that met eligibility criteria were synthesized in a literature matrix. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies met inclusion criteria. Four themes were identified: Mental Health Concerns, Physical Concerns, Infant Feeding and Care Concerns, and General Concerns and Recommendations. Many women, regardless of parity, reported feeling unprepared for numerous postpartum experiences, including depression, anxiety, physical recovery, breastfeeding, and infant care. Parents reported difficulty differentiating normal postpartum symptoms from complications. Hospital discharge teaching was viewed as simultaneously overwhelming and inadequate. Parent recommendations included the need for earlier and more comprehensive postpartum preparation during pregnancy, delivered in multiple formats and settings. Parents also reported the need for earlier postpartum visits and improved outpatient support. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that many parents in the United States feel unprepared to navigate a wide variety of emotional, physical, breastfeeding, and infant-care experiences. Future research should explore innovative educational approaches to postpartum preparation during pregnancy as well as outpatient programs to bridge the current gaps in postpartum care.

Prevalence and Related Factors of Postpartum Depression among Jordanian Mothers with a History of COVID-19 during Pregnancy or After Childbirth in a Developing Country.

Background: The magnitude of postpartum depression in Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic is under-documented, and little is known about its potential social, demographic, and clinical correlates. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and related factors of postpartum depression among Jordanian mothers with a history of COVID-19 during pregnancy or after childbirth. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in March-June 2021 among a convenient sample of 109 women with a history of COVID-19 during pregnancy or after childbirth, who were at a leading hospital equipped to care for COVID-19 cases in North Jordan. An online survey using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to collect information from mothers with a history of COVID-19-positive tests. Results: Among the total number of women who participated in the study (n = 109), 73 women had postpartum depression. The prevalence of postpartum depression in the present study was 67%. In addition, the study found a positive statistically significant correlation between EPDS scores and being a smoker, delivery method, experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms, and being hospitalized. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, women had a high level of postpartum depression. It would be necessary to follow further the confirmed cases of COVID-19, and mothers should be screened for depressive symptoms during pregnancy and followed up for antenatal and postnatal care.

Gambian Mothers Lack Obstetric Danger Sign Knowledge, But Educational Intervention Shows Promise.

Background: The Gambia has the 12th highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with 80% of deaths resulting from avoidable causes. Unawareness of pregnancy danger signs (DS) has been shown to be a barrier to seeking obstetric care, while app-based education intervention has shown promise. Objective: We aim to assess patient awareness of DS, identify barriers to awareness, and evaluate potential for implementing smartphone-based technologies for education. Methods: A cross-sectional semi-structured survey was administered to Gambian women (n = 100) across five hospitals/health centers. Data and informed consent were collected via an online survey portal. Analysis included bivariate analysis and descriptive statistics with p < 0.05 significance level. Recall of 0-2 DS per category was classified as "low" knowledge, 3-5 as "moderate" knowledge, and 6+ as "sufficient" knowledge. Cross-category recall was quantified for overall awareness level (0-6 = "low", 7-12 = "moderate", 13+ = "sufficient". N = 28 total DS). Findings: Although 75% of participants (n = 100) self-perceived "sufficient" knowledge of DS, the average recall was only two (SD = 2, n = 11) pregnancy DS, one labor and delivery DS (SD = 1, n = 8), and one postpartum DS (SD = 1, n = 9). Twenty-one women were unable to recall any danger signs. "Low" awareness was identified in 77% of women, while 23%, and 0% of women showed "moderate" and "sufficient" overall awareness, respectively. Education level was significantly correlated with overall danger sign recall (ρ(98) = .243, p = .015) and awareness level (ρ(98) = .265, p = .008). Monthly income was significantly correlated with awareness level (ρ(97) = .311, p = .002). Smartphone ownership was reported by 76% of women, and 97% expressed interest in using app-based video (94%) or provider (93%) teaching. Conclusions: Women had low knowledge of obstetric danger signs, and true awareness of danger signs was remarkably lower than self-perceived knowledge. However, patients exhibited proper healthcare-seeking behavior when danger signs arose. Findings suggest that video- or messaging-based education from local healthcare providers may be effective DS educational interventions.

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH EXTREME MATERNAL MORBIDITY IN A COHORT OF PREGNANT WOMEN IN A CALI EAPB 2019-2020 / FACTORES ASOCIADOS A LA MORBILIDAD MATERNA EXTREMA EN UNA COHORTE DE GESTANTES DE UNA EAPB CALI 2019-2020

Introduction: Extreme maternal morbidity (EMM) is an event of interest in public health that has an important impact when evaluating health services, since timely and quality care in a woman with a severe obstetric complication can prevent a fatal outcome. In an EAPB in the city of Cali during the 2019-2020 period, a need was evidenced to determine the behavior of the factors mostly associated with extreme maternal morbidity, this being a relevant study to support decision-making. Methodology: it is a type of observational analytical retrospective cohort study, we worked with a census of pregnant women registered in the insurer's nominal follow-up matrix, which is fed from various sources such as the single database of affiliates, SIVIGILA, RIPS among others, a characterization of the sociodemographic, clinical and health care factors was carried out by means of absolute and relative frequencies, later they were crossed in contingency tables to determine association by means of the chi square test and a regression model was carried out. binomial log to establish the factors that best explain EMM. Results: most of the pregnant women were between 18 and 35 years old, from the subsidized regime, from the urban area, with informal work, educational level of basic secondary, with a stable partner (married or in a free union), non-ethnic, (No perceived as indigenous, ROM or Afro-Colombian, were in their second or third pregnancy period, covered by IVE counseling and the psychoprophylactic course and began their prenatal care in the first trimester, and an incidence of 3,2% of EMM was estimated. Conclusions: the risk of EMM was higher in pregnant women without IVE advice, psychoprophylactic course, ultrasound, nutrition consultation, gynecology, iron sulfate, calcium or folic acid; also in adolescents, in those over 36 years of age, from rural areas, without a stable partner, ethnic, vulnerable population, primiparous, with a history of abortion, with weight/height alterations, with high obstetric risk, with Dx of HIV or gestational syphilis and with late start of prenatal care.

Introducción: La morbilidad materna extrema es un evento de interés en salud pública que tiene un impacto importante al evaluar los servicios de salud ya que una atención oportuna y de calidad en una mujer con una complicación obstétrica severa puede prevenir un desenlace fatal. En una EAPB en la ciudad de Cali durante el periodo 2019-2020 se evidencio una necesidad referente a determinar cuál es el comportamiento de los factores mayormente asociados a la morbilidad materna extrema, siendo este un estudio relevante para apoyar la toma de decisiones. Metodología: es un tipo de estudio observacional analítico de cohorte retrospectiva, se trabajó con un censo de las gestantes registradas en la matriz de seguimiento nominal de la aseguradora, que se alimenta de diversas fuentes como la base de datos única de afiliados, SIVIGILA, RIPS entre otras, se realizó una caracterización de los factores sociodemográficos, clínicos y de atención en salud  por medio de frecuencias absolutas y relativas, posteriormente se cruzaron en tablas de contingencias para determinar asociación por medio de la prueba chi cuadrado y se realizó un modelo de regresión log binomial para establecer los factores que mejor explican la Morbilidad Materna Extrema (MME). Resultados: en su mayoría las gestantes tenían entre 18 y 35 años, del régimen subsidiado, de la zona urbana, con trabajo informal, nivel educativo de básica secundaria, con pareja estable (casadas o en unión libre), no étnica, (No se perciben como indígena, ROM o afrocolombiana, cursaban su segundo o tercer periodo de gestación, con cobertura de asesoría de IVE y del curso psicoprofiláctico y iniciaron su control prenatal en el primer trimestre y se estimó una incidencia de 3,2% de MME. Conclusiones:  el riesgo de MME fue superior gestantes sin asesoría de IVE, curso psicoprofiláctico, ecografía, consulta de nutrición, ginecología, sulfato ferros, calcio o ácido fólico; además en adolescentes, en mayores de 36 años, de la zona rural, sin pareja estable, con pertenencia étnica, de población vulnerable, primigestantes, con antecedente de aborto, con alteraciones peso/talla, con alto riesgo obstétrico, con Dx de VIH o sífilis gestacional y con inicio tardío del control prenatal.

Structural and relational factors for successful cross-sector collaboration in home visiting: a multiple case study.

BACKGROUND: Aligning delivery and financing systems across sectors to create broader systems of care can improve the health and well-being of families experiencing adversities. We aimed to identify structural and relational factors for best practices to achieve successful cross-sector collaboration among home visiting programs in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a multiple case study approach to identify best practices for successful cross-sector collaboration between home visitors and other community service providers. We selected five diverse exemplary cases with cross-sector collaboration with variation in implementing agency type and geographic location. Cases were selected using a positive deviance approach based on strong coordination and integration with different community service provider types identified from previous survey data. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with home visiting staff, community providers, and clients with a total of 76 interviews conducted from 2021 to 2022. We wrote memos to synthesize themes within each case through data triangulation using interview data, documents, and site visit observations. We compared themes across the five cases to create a cross-case synthesis of best practices for successful cross-sector collaboration. RESULTS: Across the five cases, relational factors including leadership from all levels, champions across sectors, and shared goals between community providers were key factors for successful collaboration. Interpersonal relationships, coupled with the desire and capacity to engage, facilitated effective coordination to address families' needs. At the structural level, shared data systems, written agreements, and co-location enabled care coordination activities. Community Advisory Boards provided a venue for developing partnerships, relationship-building, resource-sharing, and increasing awareness of home visiting. CONCLUSIONS: We identified key elements of successful cross-sector collaboration across five case studies where home visitors coordinate care frequently and/or are structurally integrated with a range of providers. These learnings will inform future interventions to improve home visiting collaboration with other community providers to create a system of care to enhance family well-being.

A Scoping Review of Breastfeeding Interventions and Programs Conducted Across Spanish-Speaking Countries.

Breastfeeding is vital to a child's lifelong health and has significant positive benefits to mother's health. World Health Organization recommends beginning exclusively breastfeeding within the first hour after birth and continuing during the first 6 months of infant's life. The purpose of this review is to identify and examine breastfeeding interventions conducted across the Spanish-speaking countries. A scoping review of the literature was conducted across 14 databases for relevant publications published through April 2023 to find studies in Spanish-speaking countries that involved breastfeeding as an intervention component. A total of 46 peer-reviewed articles were included in this review, across 12 Spanish-speaking countries. Participants ranged from pregnant women, mothers, mother-infant pair, and health care professionals. Intervention at the individual level in combination with support from trained health care professionals or peer counselors seemed to have higher improvements in breastfeeding rates. The greatest improvement in exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months was seen in interventions that included prenatal and postnatal intensive lactation education, for a period of 12 months. The most effective interventions that improved rates of any breastfeeding included promotional activities, educations workshop, and training of health care staff along with changes in hospital care. Breastfeeding promotion is an economical and effective intervention to increase breastfeeding behavior and thereby improving breastfeeding adherence across Spanish-speaking countries.

Prenatal Maternal Immunization for Infant Protection: A Review of the Vaccines Recommended, Infant Immunity and Future Research Directions.

Prenatal maternal immunization is an effective tool to protect mothers and infants from poor health outcomes due to infectious diseases. We provide an overview of the rationale for the use of prenatal vaccines, discuss the immunologic environment of the maternal-fetal interface including the impact of maternal vaccines prenatally and subsequently on the infant's immune response, and review vaccines currently recommended in pregnancy and landscape for the future of maternal vaccination. This review aims to provide an understanding of the recent history and progress made in the field and highlight the importance of continued research and development into new vaccines for pregnant populations.