Tanzanian men's engagement in household chores is associated with improved antenatal care seeking and maternal health.

BACKGROUND: Male support for partners' antenatal care (ANC) has the potential to improve women's care-seeking and maternal health outcomes. This study describes factors that are associated with men's involvement in household tasks and explores the relationship between men's help with tasks and women's ANC-seeking, diet and workload during pregnancy as well as other health behaviors. METHODS: This study was conducted in five Lake Zone regions of Tanzania. Cross-sectional surveys were carried out among approximately 10,000 households that had children under the age of 2 years. Surveys were administered to mothers of children less than 2 years and where available, their male partners. Data were collected between December 2015 and May 2020, in conjunction with a large-scale campaign aimed at reducing childhood stunting by changing the behavior of mothers, caregivers, and decision makers. Data analysis included bivariate analysis and logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: Men's engagement in household activities was significantly associated with living in an urban setting, being younger, having at least some formal schooling, early verbal interactions with their children, and male involvement in healthcare decisions. Additionally, mothers of male partners that were engaged in household activities were significantly older and more likely to have at least some secondary school education. Relative to households where men only infrequently helped out with chores or not at all, women from households where men frequently helped were significantly more likely to have taken iron tablets during pregnancy, report having eaten more than usual, lessening their household workload during their most recent pregnancy, and more likely to have played with their child in the week prior to the survey. CONCLUSION: Male's participation in household tasks is associated with a general improvement in mother's ANC behaviors. Implicit in these findings is that general primary education for both men and women has health benefits that transcend socioeconomic class and that future interventions aimed to engage males in household tasks may target older males with less education living in rural areas.

Call to Action: Maternal Health and Saving Mothers: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association.

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rates among developed countries, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause. Therefore, the American Heart Association has a unique role in advocating for efforts to improve maternal health and to enhance access to and delivery of care before, during, and after pregnancy. Several initiatives have shaped the time course of major milestones in advancing maternal and reproductive health equity in the United States. There have been significant strides in improving the timeliness of data reporting in maternal mortality surveillance and epidemiological programs in maternal and child health, yet more policy reforms are necessary. To make a sustainable and systemic impact on maternal health, further efforts are necessary at the societal, institutional, stakeholder, and regulatory levels to address the racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health, to effectively reduce inequities in care, and to mitigate maternal morbidity and mortality. In alignment with American Heart Association's mission "to be a relentless force for longer, healthier lives," this policy statement outlines the inequities that influence disparities in maternal outcomes and current policy approaches to improving maternal health and suggests additional potentially impactful actions to improve maternal outcomes and ultimately save mothers' lives.

Repercusión de la covid-19 en la salud materno-infantil / Covid-19 repercussions on maternal and infantile health

RESUMEN El año 2020 ha sorprendido al planeta con la pandemia de la covid-19. Este artículo tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre las repercusiones del nuevo coronavirus en la salud materno-infantil. Pese al poco tiempo transcurrido desde el inicio de la pandemia, en las embarazadas con covid-19 se han descrito algunas comorbilidades, así como alteraciones placentarias, abortos espontáneos, muertes fetales y maternas, e incremento en los partos por cesárea y nacimientos pretérminos. Los riesgos potenciales demandarán una vigilancia estrecha del comportamiento del embarazo en el futuro inmediato. Por otra parte, del total de la población afectada por la covid-19, los pacientes en edad pediátrica representan entre el 1 y el 2 %, y la mayoría presentan manifestaciones clínicas leves. No obstante, en los menores de un año cerca del 10 % puede evolucionar a formas severas o críticas. De especial interés ha sido la presentación del síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico en niños, debido a su gravedad y riesgo para la vida. En los recién nacidos, la infección por SARS-CoV-2 podría asociarse a dos formas, de acuerdo al momento de adquisición: la covid perinatal y la postnatal. Hasta el momento, las evidencias sobre la existencia de la vía de transmisión vertical son insuficientes, pero no pueden ser descartadas. En conclusión, por tratarse de un fenómeno en desarrollo, aún quedan muchas interrogantes sobre los efectos de la covid-19 en la salud materna e infantil, que demandarán en los próximos meses un gran esfuerzo por parte de investigadores, médicos de asistencia y directivos (AU).

ABSTRACT The year 2020 has surprised the planet with the covid-19 pandemics. This article is aimed to reflect on the repercussions of the novel coronavirus on maternal and infantile health. Despite of the short time elapsed from the onset of the pandemics, some comorbidities have been described in pregnant women with COVID-19, as well as placental anomalies, spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, maternal deaths, and an increasing number on cesarean section and preterm births. The potential risk will demand a close surveillance of pregnancy behavior in the near future. Moreover, pediatric patients are among 1 and 2% of the population affected by COVID-19, and most of them show mild clinical signs. Nevertheless, about 10% of the children aged less than a year may evolve to severe and critical forms. The multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children has been of special interest, due to its severity and risk for life. In newborns, SARS-CoV-2 infection could be associated to two forms according to the acquisition time: perinatal and postnatal COVID-19. Up to the moment, evidences on vertical transmission are insufficient, but they could not be discarded. In conclusion, as this is an ongoing phenomenon, many questions about the effects of COVID-19 on maternal and infantile health are pending; they will demand a crucial effort by researchers, health providers and decision makers (AU).

Optimal care for mother and child: Safety in obstetric anaesthesia.

Anaesthetists play a major role in the perioperative treatment of patients, sharing responsibility for quality and safety in anaesthesia, intensive care, emergency and pain medicine. Several aspects lead to the fact that these issues are particularly important in obstetric anaesthesia. As morbidity and mortality are dramatically higher than in a nonpregnant population in this age, there is room for improvement even in regions with a well-developed healthcare system. Adverse events and complications during birth often hit fast, hard and unexpectedly and require immediate patient-centred care. This mostly involves an interdisciplinary and interprofessional approach that includes obstetricians, neonatologists, anaesthetists, intensivists and of course midwives and nurses. In this article, established standards and emerging possibilities to improve patient safety by developing a culture of awareness for safety aspects, education, establishing safety and communication strategies and performing teamwork- and simulation training are discussed. Apart from these issues, self-care of clinicians is vital in the prevention of adverse events, because fatigue and burnout are associated with increased rates of complications.

Effects of antenatal care service utilization on maternal near miss in Gamo Gofa zone, southern Ethiopia: retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal care (ANC) provides an opportunity to prevent, identify and intervene maternal health problems. Maternal near miss (MNM), as an indicator of maternal health, is increasingly gaining global attention to measure these problems. However, little has been done to measure the effect of ANC on MNM in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the effect of ANC on MNM and its associated predictors at Gamo Gofa zone, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: Employing a retrospective cohort study design, 3 years data of 1440 pregnant mothers (480 ANC attendant and 960 non-attendant) were collected from all hospitals in the zone. Taking ANC visit as an exposure variable; we used a pretested checklist to extract relevant information from the study participants' medical records. Characteristics of study participants, their ANC attendance status, MNM rates and associated predictors were determined. RESULTS: Twenty-five (5.2%) ANC attendant and seventy-one (7.4%) non-attendant mothers experienced MNM, (X2 = 2,46, df = 2, p = 0.12). The incidence rates were 59.6 (95% CI: 40.6-88.2) and 86.1 (95%CI: 67.3-107.2)/1000 person-years for the ANC attendant and non-attendant mothers, respectively. Mothers who were living in rural areas had higher hazard ratio of experiencing MNM than those who were living in urban areas, with an adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) of 1.68 (95% CI, 1.01, 2.78). CONCLUSION: ANC attendance tended to reduce MNM. However, late initiation and loss to follow-up were higher in the current study. Therefore, on time initiation and consistent utilization of ANC are required.

Development and validation of a simple algorithm to estimate common gestational age categories using standard administrative birth record data in Ontario, Canada.

Gestational age is often incompletely recorded in administrative records, despite being critical to paediatric and maternal health research. Several algorithms exist to estimate gestational age using administrative databases; however, many have not been validated or use complicated methods that are not readily adaptable. We developed a simple algorithm to estimate common gestational age categories from routine administrative data. We leveraged a population-based registry of all hospital births occurring in Ontario, Canada over 2002-2016 including 1.8 million birth records. In this sample, this simple algorithm had excellent performance compared to a verified measure of gestational age; 87.61% agreement (95% CI: 87.49, 87.74). The accuracy of the algorithm exceeded 98% for all of the gestational age categories. Agreement notably increased over time and was greatest among singleton births and infants born at 2500-2999 g. This study provides a straight-forward algorithm for accurately estimating common gestational age categories that is easily adaptable for use in other countries.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Gestational age is often incompletely or inaccurately recorded in administrative health databases, despite being critical to the study of many paediatric and maternal health outcomes. Consequently, researchers must rely on various methods to estimate gestational age, many of these methods are either overly simple (i.e. assuming a uniform duration) or analytically complicated and difficult to adapt for new populations (e.g. regression-based approaches).What the results of this study add? This study, based on a population-based registry of all 1.8 million births occurring in Ontario, Canada 2003-2016, found that a simple, sex-specific algorithm using three commonly recorded birth record characteristics performs almost perfectly compared to a clinical estimate recorded near birth.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study suggests that a straight-forward, sex-specific algorithm based on routinely collected birth record data is able to accurately estimate common gestational age categories (i.e. extreme preterm, <28 weeks; very preterm, 28-32 weeks; moderate-to-late preterm, 33-26 weeks; and term, 37 weeks of completed gestational age). This work will be of greatest interest to perinatal researchers using routinely collected health administrative data.

WHO recommendations on Choice of antiseptic agent and method of application for preoperative skin preparation for caesarean section

Direct maternal infections around the time of childbirth account for about one tenth of the global burden of maternal death. Women who develop peripartum infections are also prone to severe morbidity, long-term disabilities such as chronic pelvic pain, fallopian tube blockage and secondary infertility. Maternal infections before or during childbirth are also associated with an estimated 1 million newborn deaths annually. Several factors increase the risk of maternal peripartum infections, including pre-existing maternal conditions (e.g. malnutrition, diabetes, obesity, severe anaemia, bacterial vaginosis and group B streptococcus infections), as well as prelabour rupture of membranes, multiple vaginal examinations, manual removal of the placenta, operative vaginal birth and caesarean section. As such, the strategies to reduce maternal peripartum infections and their shortand long-term complications have been directed at improving infection prevention and control practices. Globally, an effective intervention for preventing morbidity and mortality related to maternal infection is the use of antibiotics and antiseptics. However, the misuse of antibiotics for obstetric conditions and procedures is common in many settings. Inappropriate antibiotic use has implications for the global effort to prevent and reduce antimicrobial resistance. The WHO global strategy for containment of antimicrobial resistance underscores the importance of appropriate use of antimicrobials at different levels of the health system to reduce the impact of antimicrobial resistance, while ensuring access to the best treatment available. In 2019, the Executive Guideline Steering Group (GSG) for World Health Organization (WHO) maternal and perinatal health recommendations prioritized updating of the existing WHO recommendations on choice of antiseptic agent and method of application for preoperative skin preparation for caesarean section in response to the availability of new evidence. The recommendations in this document thus supersede the previous WHO recommendations for choice of antiseptic agent and method of application for preoperative skin preparation for caesarean section as published in the 2015 guideline WHO recommendations for prevention and treatment of maternal peripartum infections.

WHO recommendation on Vaginal preparation with antiseptic agents for women undergoing caesarean section

Direct maternal infections around the time of childbirth account for about one tenth of the global burden of maternal death. Women who develop peripartum infections are also prone to severe morbidity, long-term disabilities such as chronic pelvic pain, fallopian tube blockage and secondary infertility. Maternal infections before or during childbirth are also associated with an estimated 1 million newborn deaths annually. Several factors increase the risk of maternal peripartum infections, including pre-existing maternal conditions (e.g. malnutrition, diabetes, obesity, severe anaemia, bacterial vaginosis and group B streptococcus infections), as well as prelabour rupture of membranes, multiple vaginal examinations, manual removal of the placenta, operative vaginal birth and caesarean section. As such, the strategies to reduce maternal peripartum infections and their shortand long-term complications have been directed at improving infection prevention and control practices. Globally, an effective intervention for preventing morbidity and mortality related to maternal infection is the use of antibiotics and antiseptics. However, the misuse of antibiotics for obstetric conditions and procedures is common in many settings. Inappropriate antibiotic use has implications for the global effort to prevent and reduce antimicrobial resistance. The WHO global strategy for containment of antimicrobial resistance underscores the importance of appropriate use of antimicrobials at different levels of the health system to reduce the impact of antimicrobial resistance, while ensuring access to the best treatment available. In 2019, the Executive Guideline Steering Group (GSG) for World Health Organization (WHO) maternal and perinatal health recommendations prioritized updating of the existing WHO recommendation on vaginal preparation with antiseptic agents for women undergoing caesarean section in response to the availability of new evidence. The recommendation in this document thus supersedes the previous WHO recommendation on vaginal preparation with antiseptic agents for women undergoing caesarean section, as published in the 2015 guideline WHO recommendations for prevention and treatment of maternal peripartum infections.

Monitoring the status of selected health related sustainable development goals: methods and projections to 2030.

Background: Monitoring Sustainable Development Goal indicators (SDGs) and their targets plays an important role in understanding and advocating for improved health outcomes for all countries. We present the United Nations (UN) Inter-agency groups' efforts to support countries to report on SDG health indicators, project progress towards 2030 targets and build country accountability for action. Objective: We highlight common principles and practices of each Inter-agency group and the progress made towards SDG 3 targets using seven health indicators as examples. The indicators used provide examples of best practice for modelling estimates and projections using standard methods, transparent data collection and country consultations. Methods: Practices common to the UN agencies include multi-UN agency participation, expert groups to advise on estimation methods, transparent publication of methods and data inputs, use of UN-derived population estimates, country consultations, and a common reporting platform to present results. Our seven examples illustrate how estimates, using mostly Bayesian models, make use of country data to track progress towards SDG targets for 2030. Results: Progress has been made over the past decade. However, none of the seven indicators are on track to achieve their respective SDG targets by 2030. Accelerated efforts are needed, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to reduce the burden of maternal, child, communicable and noncommunicable disease mortality, and to provide access to modern methods of family planning to all women. Conclusion: Our analysis shows the benefit of UN interagency monitoring which prioritizes transparent country data sources, UN population estimates and life tables, and rigorous but replicable modelling methods. Countries are supported to build capacity for data collection, analysis and reporting. Through these monitoring efforts we support countries to tackle even the most intransient health issues, including the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 that is reversing the hard-earned gains of all countries.

Priorities for sexual and reproductive health in Morocco as part of universal health coverage: maternal health as a national priority.

Maternal health (MH) is a national priority of Morocco. Factors influencing the agenda set by the reproductive and maternal health policy process at the national level were evaluated using the Shiffman and Smith framework. This framework included the influence of the actors, the power of the ideas used, the nature of the political context, and the characteristics of the issue itself. Factors were evaluated by a review of documents and interviews with policy-makers, partners and individuals in the private sector, civil society and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in MH, and decision-makers responsible for implementing health-financing strategies in Morocco. Evaluations showed that maternal mortality in Morocco was considered human rights and social development as well as a public health problem. The actors responsible for MH, including members of the government, researchers, national technical experts, members of the private sector, United Nations partners and NGOs, agreed on progress made in MH and universal health care (UHC). Stakeholders also agreed on the prioritisation process for MH and its inclusion in the health benefits package. Prioritisation of MH was found to depend on national health priorities set by the government and its close partners, as well as on the availability of human and financial resources. Interventions at the operational level were based on evidence, best practices, allocation of adequate financial and human resources, and rigorous monitoring and accountability. However, MH and health financing are experiencing difficulties in many areas, related to social and economic and health disparities, and gender inequality, and quality of care.

Health care professionals' adherence to partograph use in Ethiopia: analysis of 2016 national emergency obstetric and newborn care survey.

BACKGROUND: The period around childbirth and the first 24 hours postpartum remains a perilous time for both mother and newborn. Health care providers' compliance to the World Health Organization modified partogram across the active first stage of labor is a graphic representation of a mother's condition that is used as a guide in providing quality obstetrics care. However, little evidence is documented on the health providers' adherence to the use of the partograph in Ethiopia, which limits health care providers' ability to improve quality care services. Therefore, this study assessed the adherence of partograph use and associated factors in Ethiopia. METHODS: Data from the Ethiopian 2016 National Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care survey of 3,804 health facilities that provided maternity services were used. We extracted 2611 partograph charts over a 12 months period prior to the survey to review the proper recording of each component. Data analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0 software. A logistic regression analyses was used to identify the association of explanatory variables with the outcome variable. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as cut off point to declare the significance association in the multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Of the total 2611 partographs reviewed, 561(21.5%) of them were fully recorded as per the WHO guideline. Particularly, molding in 50%, color of liquor in 70.5%, fetal heart beat in 93.3%, cervical dilation in 89.6%, descent in 63.2%, uterine contraction in 94.5%, blood pressure in 80.5%, pulse rate in 70.5%, and temperature in 53% were accurately recorded. The odds of adherence to partograph use were 1.4 in rural health facilities when compared to their counterparts (AOR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.80, P- 0.002). CONCLUSION: This study revealed a poor level of adherence in partograph use in Ethiopia. Molding, maternal temperature and decent were the least recorded parameters of the partograph. The odds of completion of partograph were high in rural facilities. Strong supporting supervision and mentoring the health workers to better record and use of partograph are needed mainly in urban health facilities. Moreover in the future, interventional research should be conducted to improve the current rate of adherence.

Process Evaluation of Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition Improvement Project (MCHNP) in the Eastern Region of Ghana: A Case Study of Selected Districts.

BACKGROUND: Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition improvement Project is a World Bank-funded project implemented in all then ten regions of Ghana, which aims at improving access and utilization of community-based maternal, child health, and nutrition services in order to accelerate progress. This study is aimed at determining the implementation status of the project in the Eastern region by evaluating the processes involved and identifying implementation barriers from the perspective of implementors. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional in design and employed a quantitative data collection approach in ten Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) centres in five districts in the region. The project coordinators and Community Health Officers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The project implementation reports at the facility level were reviewed using a checklist. Tertile statistic was used to describe the status of the project implementation. RESULT: The finding from this study indicated "complete implementation status" for maternal, child health, and nutrition activities of the project. However, none of the facilities evaluated had satisfactorily implemented all the governance processes and were therefore rated as "partially complete." The main implementation barriers emerged from the study were related to restrictions placed on the use of project funds and delays in the fund disbursement to CHPS facilities. CONCLUSION: The evidence gathered from the study showed very good implementation status for community-led maternal and child health service delivery, indicative of a positive response to the guidelines by service providers at the periphery and can have positive impact on the project's objectives and goals. Governance component of the project, however, revealed inadequate alignment with guidelines which might have been influenced by the lack of knowledge as a result of lack of training for implementers. This therefore calls for in-service training and improved supportive supervision at both administrative and service delivery levels.

Targeted client communication via mobile devices for improving maternal, neonatal, and child health.

BACKGROUND: The global burden of poor maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) accounts for more than a quarter of healthy years of life lost worldwide. Targeted client communication (TCC) via mobile devices (MD) (TCCMD) may be a useful strategy to improve MNCH. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of TCC via MD on health behaviour, service use, health, and well-being for MNCH. SEARCH METHODS: In July/August 2017, we searched five databases including The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE and Embase. We also searched two trial registries. A search update was carried out in July 2019 and potentially relevant studies are awaiting classification. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials that assessed TCC via MD to improve MNCH behaviour, service use, health, and well-being. Eligible comparators were usual care/no intervention, non-digital TCC, and digital non-targeted client communication. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures recommended by Cochrane, although data extraction and risk of bias assessments were carried out by one person only and cross-checked by a second. MAIN RESULTS: We included 27 trials (17,463 participants). Trial populations were: pregnant and postpartum women (11 trials conducted in low-, middle- or high-income countries (LMHIC); pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV (three trials carried out in one lower middle-income country); and parents of children under the age of five years (13 trials conducted in LMHIC). Most interventions (18) were delivered via text messages alone, one was delivered through voice calls only, and the rest were delivered through combinations of different communication channels, such as multimedia messages and voice calls. Pregnant and postpartum women TCCMD versus standard care For behaviours, TCCMD may increase exclusive breastfeeding in settings where rates of exclusive breastfeeding are less common (risk ratio (RR) 1.30, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.06 to 1.59; low-certainty evidence), but have little or no effect in settings where almost all women breastfeed (low-certainty evidence). For use of health services, TCCMD may increase antenatal appointment attendance (odds ratio (OR) 1.54, 95% CI 0.80 to 2.96; low-certainty evidence); however, the CI encompasses both benefit and harm. The intervention may increase skilled attendants at birth in settings where a lack of skilled attendants at birth is common (though this differed by urban/rural residence), but may make no difference in settings where almost all women already have a skilled attendant at birth (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.34 to 2.94; low-certainty evidence). There were uncertain effects on maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity because the certainty of the evidence was assessed as very low. TCCMD versus non-digital TCC (e.g. pamphlets) TCCMD may have little or no effect on exclusive breastfeeding (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.07; low-certainty evidence). TCCMD may reduce 'any maternal health problem' (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.79) and 'any newborn health problem' (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.06) reported up to 10 days postpartum (low-certainty evidence), though the CI for the latter includes benefit and harm. The effect on health service use is unknown due to a lack of studies. TCCMD versus digital non-targeted communication No studies reported behavioural, health, or well-being outcomes for this comparison. For use of health services, there are uncertain effects for the presence of a skilled attendant at birth due to very low-certainty evidence, and the intervention may make little or no difference to attendance for antenatal influenza vaccination (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.58), though the CI encompasses both benefit and harm (low-certainty evidence). Pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV TCCMD versus standard care For behaviours, TCCMD may make little or no difference to maternal and infant adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy (low-certainty evidence). For health service use, TCC mobile telephone reminders may increase use of antenatal care slightly (mean difference (MD) 1.5, 95% CI -0.36 to 3.36; low-certainty evidence). The effect on the proportion of births occurring in a health facility is uncertain due to very low-certainty evidence. For health and well-being outcomes, there was an uncertain intervention effect on neonatal death or stillbirth, and infant HIV due to very low-certainty evidence. No studies reported on maternal mortality or morbidity. TCCMD versus non-digital TCC The effect is unknown due to lack of studies reporting this comparison. TCCMD versus digital non-targeted communication TCCMD may increase infant ARV/prevention of mother-to-child transmission treatment adherence (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.48; low-certainty evidence). The effect on other outcomes is unknown due to lack of studies. Parents of children aged less than five years No studies reported on correct treatment, nutritional, or health outcomes. TCCMD versus standard care Based on 10 trials, TCCMD may modestly increase health service use (vaccinations and HIV care) (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.34; low-certainty evidence); however, the effect estimates varied widely between studies. TCCMD versus non-digital TCC TCCMD may increase attendance for vaccinations (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.28; low-certainty evidence), and may make little or no difference to oral hygiene practices (low-certainty evidence). TCCMD versus digital non-targeted communication TCCMD may reduce attendance for vaccinations, but the CI encompasses both benefit and harm (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.20; low-certainty evidence). No trials in any population reported data on unintended consequences. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The effect of TCCMD for most outcomes is uncertain. There may be improvements for some outcomes using targeted communication but these findings were of low certainty. High-quality, adequately powered trials and cost-effectiveness analyses are required to reliably ascertain the effects and relative benefits of TCCMD. Future studies should measure potential unintended consequences, such as partner violence or breaches of confidentiality.

Maternal plant-based diet during gestation and pregnancy outcomes.

PURPOSE: We aimed to explore the association of vegetarian-vegan diets and pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective, web-based study conducted in 2017. Women who delivered < 4 years prior to enrolment where eligible to participate. Participants were allocated to 3 groups based on their self-reported diet during pregnancy: omnivores, vegetarians or vegans. Outcomes of interest including birthweight centile, small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA), preterm birth (PTB), maternal excessive weight gain (EWG) and gestational diabetes (GDM) were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Overall, 1419 women of which 234 vegans (16.5%), 133 vegetarian (9.4%) and 1052 omnivores (74.1%) were included in final analysis. Maternal vegan diet during pregnancy was associated with a lower birth weight centile as compared to omnivores (42.6 ± 25.9 vs. 52.5 ± 27.0 P < 0.001), a greater adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for SGA (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI 1.05, 2.86) but not with the risk of LGA (aOR = 0.55; 95% CI 0.30, 1.00). Further adjustment for BMI showed similar but nonsignificant associations for SGA and LGA as compared to the omnivore group. Vegan diet was associated with lower risk for maternal EWG (aOR = 0.61; 95% CI 0.44, 0.86) and modest nonsignificant association with GDM (aOR = 0.54 95% CI 0.28, 1.03) which was further attenuated by adjustment for pre-pregnancy BMI. Maternal diet group was not associated with the risk of PTB or low birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal vegan diet is a protective factor from EWG but associated with a higher risk for SGA and lower birth weight centile. The association between vegan diet and fetal growth was mediated by maternal BMI.

Maternal health care in India: A reflection of 10 years of National Health Mission on the Indian maternal health scenario.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal healthcare coverage is the outcome of health service availability and utilization, and includes antenatal care (ANC), care at delivery, and postnatal care. This study examines the contribution of India's National Health Mission (NHM) to maternal health through a pre-post comparison of rates of delivery at a healthcare institution and use of ANC along with inequalities in the determinants of one of the major maternal health outcomes-at least four ANC visits. METHODS: Data came from the Indian National Family Health Surveys conducted between 1992-93 and 2015-16. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) associated with the predictors of at least four ANC visits. RESULTS: Institutional delivery increased by 12.6 percentage points between 1992-93 and 2005-06 (the pre-NRHM era), and thereafter interventions through the National Rural Health Mission/NHM contributed to a significant increase of 40.2 percentage points from 2005-06 to 2015-16. However, both inter- and intra-state disparities persist even now. Overall, the proportion of pregnant women who have at least four ANC visits is as low as 51.2 percent. The likelihood of having at least four ANC visits is almost four times higher for women in the richest households compared with those in the poorest (OR: 3.59; 95% CI: 3.44-3.75) CONCLUSION: Future public health efforts should focus on removing inter- and intra-state disparities in institutional delivery and ensuring at least four ANC visits for pregnant women, to meet the infant and maternal mortality targets set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

What is meant by validity in maternal and newborn health measurement? A conceptual framework for understanding indicator validation.

BACKGROUND: Rigorous monitoring supports progress in achieving maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity reductions. Recent work to strengthen measurement for maternal and newborn health highlights the existence of a large number of indicators being used for this purpose. The definitions and data sources used to produce indicator estimates vary and challenges exist with completeness, accuracy, transparency, and timeliness of data. The objective of this study is to create a conceptual overview of how indicator validity is defined and understood by those who develop and use maternal and newborn health indicators. METHODS: A conceptual framework of validity was developed using mixed methods. We were guided by principles for conceptual frameworks and by a review of the literature and key maternal and newborn health indicator guidance documents. We also conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with 32 key informants chosen through purposive sampling. RESULTS: We categorised indicator validity into three main types: criterion, convergent, and construct. Criterion or diagnostic validity, comparing a measure with a gold standard, has predominantly been used to assess indicators of care coverage and content. Studies assessing convergent validity quantify the extent to which two or more indicator measurement approaches, none of which is a gold-standard, relate. Key informants considered construct validity, or the accuracy of the operationalisation of a concept or phenomenon, a critical part of the overall assessment of indicator validity. CONCLUSION: Given concerns about the large number of maternal and newborn health indicators currently in use, a more consistent understanding of validity can help guide prioritization of key indicators and inform development of new indicators. All three types of validity are relevant for evaluating the performance of maternal and newborn health indicators. We highlight the need to establish a common language and understanding of indicator validity among the various global and local stakeholders working within maternal and newborn health.