One-year follow-up of immediate postpartum contraceptive implant insertion in adolescents.

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to evaluate the acceptability, adverse effects and continuation rates among adolescents who accepted the etonogestrel (ENG) subdermal implant and compared to adolescents who chose other methods during the immediate postpartum period before hospital discharge, with one year follow-up up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cohort non-randomised study at the Women's Hospital, University of Campinas. All women up to 19 years of age, who gave birth at the hospital between July 2019 and April 2020, were invited to participate and were offered the ENG-implant or the routine contraceptive methods. They were followed for one year postpartum. RESULTS: We included 100 teenagers and 72 accepted the ENG-implant. Students are more likely to accept the ENG-implant than non-students (PR: 1.25 [95%CI 0.99-1.59]). Up to one year of follow-up, survival analysis showed that the time of adherence to the method was longer for the ENG-implant users (p = 0.0049). More than 90% of the adolescents were satisfied with the implant; however, five requested early removal due to menstrual irregularity and local discomfort. CONCLUSION: Provision ENG-implant for adolescents in the immediate postpartum demonstrated high acceptance and ensured effective contraception. After one year, most of them were satisfied, with a high continuation rate and without unplanned pregnancies.

Self-reported exercise or physical activity level: what matters to a better quality of life in the third trimester of pregnancy?

This study evaluated the relationship of self-reported exercise, physical activity (PA) level, and Quality of Life (QoL) among women in their third trimester of pregnancy and verified which factors are associated with physical exercise (PE) and QoL. A cross-sectional study was performed with women who have been pregnant for at least 28 weeks and who can engage in PE. Data on self-reported exercise, sociodemographic characteristics, PA level, and QoL were collected through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire BREF version (WHOQOL-BREF). Frequencies, bivariate analyses, and logistic and linear regression were performed. Among 405 pregnant women, 103 (25.43 percent) reported practicing PE. The self-reported PE was associated with better scores in the physical and environmental domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Several IPAQ variables and the WHOQOL-BREF environmental score were associated with self-reported exercise. The majority classified as "active" by the IPAQ was due to employment and not the PE practice. A correct conceptual approach to PA and PE during antenatal care has a different impact on health and QoL during pregnancy.

Prepregnancy overweight and obesity as risk factors for birth defects: a cross-sectional study over a 30-year period.

Overweight and obesity are public health problems worldwide despite being modifiable conditions. The association between birth defects and pregestational maternal body mass index is not entirely clear. We aimed to assess the prevalence and estimate the risk of birth defects related to pregestational body mass index and other maternal factors. We explored a 30-year time series database in a cross-section study. We analysed 40,217 cases, among them 2.8% had birth defects. Bivariate analysis showed a higher prevalence of birth defects with increased pre-pregnancy body mass index and in extremes of maternal age, white skin colour, and primiparity. Multivariable logistic regression showed a higher chance of birth defects in women with pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity (OR:1.19 [CI95%:1.01-1.41]), maternal age ≥ 40 years (OR:1.68 [CI95%:1.11-2.54]), and white skin colour (OR:1.44 [CI95%:1.19-1.75]). Maternal weight is a modifiable risk factor that must be considered and addressed in preconception counselling to minimise possible deleterious effects on embryogenesis.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Previous studies have linked some maternal factors with birth defects. However, the association with prepregnancy maternal body mass index is not clear.What do the results of this study add? Our findings provide support for the association of prepregnancy maternal overweight and obesity with birth defects and highlight that BMI is a modified risk factor.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Maternal body mass index is a modifiable risk factor, highlighting the importance of preconception counselling for the prevention and possible reduction of factors that increase the risk of birth defects.

Period poverty: menstrual health hygiene issues among adolescent and young Venezuelan migrant women at the northwestern border of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent and young women (10-24 years old) are habitually a neglected group in humanitarian settings. Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is an unmet aspect of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and an additional challenge if lack of hygiene products, inadequate access to safe, clean, and private toilets identified as period poverty. Our objective was to provide an overview of the main MHM issues affecting Venezuelan migrant adolescents and young women in the north-western border of Venezuela-Brazil. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted, early in 2021, with the use of a self-responded questionnaire, in Spanish, adapted from the Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS-36). All identified adolescents and young women aged between 12 and 24 years old were invited to participate (convenience sample-167 women). Women with complete questionnaires and who menstruate were included. Information on access to and quality of hygiene kits and toilets were retrieved, and a descriptive analysis performed, with an evaluation of frequencies for categorical variables (n, %) and mean (± SD-standard deviation) for continuous variables. In addition to the open-ended questions, we included one open question about their personal experience with menstruation. RESULTS: According to official reports, at the moment of the interviews, there were 1.603 Venezuelans living on the streets in Boa Vista. A total of 167 young women were invited, and 142 further included, mean age was 17.7 years, almost half of the participants who menstruate (46.4%) did not receive any hygiene kits, 61% were not able to wash their hands whenever they wanted, and the majority (75.9%) did not feel safe to use the toilets. Further, menstruation was often described with negative words. CONCLUSIONS: Migrant Venezuelan adolescents and young women have their MHM needs overlooked, with evident period poverty, and require urgent attention. It is necessary to assure appropriate menstrual materials, education, and sanitation facilities, working in partnership among governmental and non-governmental organizations to guarantee menstrual dignity to these young women.

Gestational weight gain outside the Institute of Medicine recommendations and adverse pregnancy outcomes: analysis using individual participant data from randomised trials.

BACKGROUND: High Body Mass Index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) affect an increasing number of pregnancies. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has issued recommendations on the optimal GWG for women according to their pre-pregnancy BMI (healthy, overweight or obese). It has been shown that pregnant women rarely met the recommendations; however, it is unclear by how much. Previous studies also adjusted the analyses for various women's characteristics making their comparison challenging. METHODS: We analysed individual participant data (IPD) of healthy women with a singleton pregnancy and a BMI of 18.5 kg/m2 or more from the control arms of 36 randomised trials (16 countries). Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to describe the association between GWG outside (above or below) the IOM recommendations (2009) and risks of caesarean section, preterm birth, and large or small for gestational age (LGA or SGA) infants. The association was examined overall, within the BMI categories and by quartile of GWG departure from the IOM recommendations. We obtained aOR using mixed-effects logistic regression, accounting for the within-study clustering and a priori identified characteristics. RESULTS: Out of 4429 women (from 33 trials) meeting the inclusion criteria, two thirds gained weight outside the IOM recommendations (1646 above; 1291 below). The median GWG outside the IOM recommendations was 3.1 kg above and 2.7 kg below. In comparison to GWG within the IOM recommendations, GWG above was associated with increased odds of caesarean section (aOR 1.50; 95%CI 1.25, 1.80), LGA (2.00; 1.58, 2.54), and reduced odds of SGA (0.66; 0.50, 0.87); no significant effect on preterm birth was detected. The relationship between GWG below the IOM recommendation and caesarean section or LGA was inconclusive; however, the odds of preterm birth (1.94; 1.31, 2.28) and SGA (1.52; 1.18, 1.96) were increased. CONCLUSIONS: Consistently with previous findings, adherence to the IOM recommendations seem to help achieve better pregnancy outcomes. Nevertheless, even in the context of clinical trials, women find it difficult to adhere to them. Further research should focus on identifying ways of achieving a healthier GWG as defined by the IOM recommendations.

The role of the respectful maternity care model in São Paulo, Brazil: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The promotion of a positive birth experience has been a main goal of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recent work on improving maternity care. The purpose of this study was to assess the cesarean rates, the prevalence of birth practices, perinatal outcomes, and maternal satisfaction, in women involved with the respectful maternity care (RMC) support groups in Sao Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of women with low-risk pregnancies who were assisted by professionals recommended by the RMC groups. An online questionnaire was administered. Variables to assess birth practices were classified as positive, negative, or unspecified according to the WHO guidelines. The Pearson chi-square tests and odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to assess differences between the groups. RESULTS: Five-hundred and eighty women completed the questionnaire. The cesarean rate was 14.7%, and the operative vaginal birth rate was 9.5%. The VBAC rate was 87.1%, and there was no significant difference in risk for cesarean between women with or without a prior cesarean. Of all women, 83.1% had a midwife's assistance and 75.5% hired a doula; 81.4% gave birth in a nonlithotomic position. The practices of enema, fasting and episiotomy were all under 2%. All 5-minute Apgar scores were ≥7. Most (83.1%) women reported having a positive birth experience. CONCLUSIONS: Woman's engagement with the birth support groups and a transdisciplinary team focused on RMC are key elements to achieve positive perinatal outcomes and high women's satisfaction.

Perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies complicated by maternal morbidity: evidence from the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health.

BACKGROUND: Twin pregnancy was associated with significantly higher rates of adverse neonatal and perinatal outcomes, especially for the second twin. In addition, the maternal complications (potentially life-threatening conditions-PLTC, maternal near miss-MNM, and maternal mortality-MM) are directly related to twin pregnancy and independently associated with adverse perinatal outcome. The objective of the preset study is to evaluate perinatal outcomes associated with twin pregnancies, stratified by severe maternal morbidity and order of birth. METHODS: Secondary analysis of the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health (WHOMCS), a cross-sectional study implemented in 29 countries. Data from 8568 twin deliveries were compared with 308,127 singleton deliveries. The occurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes and maternal complications were assessed. Factors independently associated with adverse perinatal outcomes were reported with adjusted PR (Prevalence Ratio) and 95%CI. RESULTS: The occurrence of severe maternal morbidity and maternal death was significantly higher among twin compared to singleton pregnancies in all regions. Twin deliveries were associated with higher rates of preterm delivery (37.1%), Apgar scores less than 7 at 5th minute (7.8 and 10.1% respectively for first and second twins), low birth weight (53.2% for the first and 61.1% for the second twin), stillbirth (3.6% for the first and 5.7% for the second twin), early neonatal death (3.5% for the first and 5.2% for the second twin), admission to NICU (23.6% for the first and 29.3% for the second twin) and any adverse perinatal outcomes (67% for the first twin and 72.3% for the second). Outcomes were consistently worse for the second twin across all outcomes. Poisson multiple regression analysis identified several factors independently associated with an adverse perinatal outcome, including both maternal complications and twin pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Twin pregnancy is significantly associated with severe maternal morbidity and with worse perinatal outcomes, especially for the second twin.

Pharmacist interventions in high-risk obstetric inpatient unit: a medication safety issue.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to report number, type and severity of prescribing errors and pharmacist interventions in high-risk pregnant and postpartum women. DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional, observational study. SETTING: A high-risk obstetric inpatient unit of a Women's Hospital in Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: About 1826 electronic prescriptions for 549 women in the high-risk obstetrics inpatient unit were included. INTERVENTIONS: When the pharmacist detected potential prescribing errors, interventions were suggested. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prescriptions were evaluated by clinical pharmacist to identify the type, frequency and severity of prescribing errors and rate of clinical pharmacist intervention acceptance in a high-risk obstetric inpatient. RESULTS: A total of 1826 prescriptions were reviewed with 128 errors (7.0%). The most frequent errors were drug interaction (43.8%), incorrect frequency (21.5%) and improper dose (13.1%). One-hundred and sixty-eight interventions were made by pharmacists, 98.8% of which were accepted by prescribers. Higher maternal age (OR 1.0 (95%CI 1.0-1.1)), higher number of prescribed medications (OR 1.2 (95%CI 1.1-1.3)), obstetric conditions (OR 2.2 (95%CI 1.4-3.3)) and non-breastfeeding postpartum women (OR 3.9 (95% CI 2.5-6.1)) were the independent factors associated with prescribing errors identified through multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The most common prescription errors related to drug interactions, incorrect frequency and higher number of prescribed medications. The rate of pharmacist acceptance intervention was high.

Abnormal expression of inflammatory genes in placentas of women with sickle cell anemia and sickle hemoglobin C disease.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex disease that is characterized by the polymerization of deoxyhemoglobin S, altered red blood cell membrane biology, endothelial activation, hemolysis, a procoagulant state, acute and chronic inflammation, and vaso-occlusion. Among the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, oxygen is consumed by fetal growth, and pregnant women with SCD are more frequently exposed to low oxygen levels. This might lead to red blood cells sickling, and, consequently, to vaso-occlusion. The mechanisms by which SCD affects placental physiology are largely unknown, and chronic inflammation might be involved in this process. This study aimed to evaluate the gene expression profile of inflammatory response mediators in the placentas of pregnant women with sickle cell cell anemia (HbSS) and hemoglobinopathy SC (HbSC). Our results show differences in a number of these genes. For the HbSS group, when compared to the control group, the following genes showed differential expression: IL1RAP (2.76-fold), BCL6 (4.49-fold), CXCL10 (-2.12-fold), CXCR1 (-3.66-fold), and C3 (-2.0-fold). On the other hand, the HbSC group presented differential expressions of the following genes, when compared to the control group: IL1RAP (4.33-fold), CXCL1 (3.05-fold), BCL6 (4.13-fold), CXCL10 (-3.32-fold), C3 (-2.0-fold), and TLR3 (2.38-fold). Taken together, these data strongly suggest a differential expression of several inflammatory genes in both SCD (HbSS and HbSC), indicating that the placenta might become an environment with hypoxia, and increased inflammation, which could lead to improper placental development.

Contribution of antepartum and intrapartum hemorrhage to the burden of maternal near miss and death in a national surveillance study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the occurrence of severe obstetric complications associated with antepartum and intrapartum hemorrhage among women from the Brazilian Network for Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity. DESIGN: Multicenter cross-sectional study. SETTING: Twenty-seven obstetric referral units in Brazil between July 2009 and June 2010. POPULATION: A total of 9555 women categorized as having obstetric complications. METHODS: The occurrence of potentially life-threatening conditions, maternal near miss and maternal deaths associated with antepartum and intrapartum hemorrhage was evaluated. Sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics and the use of criteria for management of severe bleeding were also assessed in these women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence ratios with their respective 95% confidence intervals adjusted for the cluster effect of the design, and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors independently associated with the occurrence of severe maternal outcome. RESULTS: Antepartum and intrapartum hemorrhage occurred in only 8% (767) of women experiencing any type of obstetric complication. However, it was responsible for 18.2% (140) of maternal near miss and 10% (14) of maternal death cases. On multivariate analysis, maternal age and previous cesarean section were shown to be independently associated with an increased risk of severe maternal outcome (near miss or death). CONCLUSION: Severe maternal outcome due to antepartum and intrapartum hemorrhage was highly prevalent among Brazilian women. Certain risk factors, maternal age and previous cesarean delivery in particular, were associated with the occurrence of bleeding.

Sickle cell disease and increased adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in different genotypes.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) comprises a heterogeneous group of inherited hemolytic disorders that increases the risk of maternal and perinatal complications due to chronic systemic inflammatory response, endothelial damage and vaso-occlusion. The contribution of genotypes to the severity of outcomes during pregnancy is not completely established. METHODS: A retrospective study of medical charts was performed to compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in Hb SS, Hb SC disease and sickle-beta thalassemia (Hb Sß) pregnancies followed at a high-risk antenatal care unit over a 6-year period. A descriptive analysis of morphological findings was performed of the placenta when pathology reports were available. RESULTS: Sixty-two SCD pregnant women [25 Hb SS (40 %), 29 Hb SC (47 %) and 8 Hb Sß (13 %)] were included. Overall, SCD was associated with maternal complications (77 %), preterm birth (30 %), cesarean section (80 %) and a need of blood transfusion. In general there were no statistically significant differences between genotypes. The only significant difference was the hemoglobin level at first antenatal care visit which was lower for the homozygous genotype (7.7 g/dL) compared to Hb SC and Hb Sß (9.7 g/dL and 8.4 g/dL, respectively; p-value = 0.01). Ten of 15 evaluated placentas showed abnormal morphological findings CONCLUSION: SCD, regardless of the underlying genotype, is associated with increased adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes and placental abnormalities associated with maternal vascular malperfusion.

The experience of pregnant women and their families who were infected with covid-19 before vaccination: A qualitative approach within a multicenter study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant and postpartum women infected by COVID-19 are at increased risk of adverse outcomes, including negative effects on their mental health. Brazilian maternal mortality rate due to COVID-19 is 2.5 times higher than overall mortality rates. This study aimed to understand how pregnant/postpartum women experienced the COVID-19 suspicion/investigation or confirmed infection in different Brazilian cities, the pandemic's consequences to women and their families, and their needs to improve maternal health services during public health emergencies. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study with 27 women with COVID-19 and 6 of their family members, as part of a multicenter study among 15 maternity hospitals in Brazil. We applied in-depth interviews through telephone calls when women received the diagnostic or had a suspect infection and after 60 days. Another semi-structured interview was applied to their close family members. The interviews were considered through thematic analysis. RESULTS: From the thematic content analysis three major themes emerged from the first and second interviews: (Cucinotta and Vanelli, 2020) assistance received by the woman and newborn in the medical services; (World Health Organization (WHO) 2021) stigma/fear of contamination from health workers and from family and friends reported by the women; (Allotey et al., 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic impact. CONCLUSION: Before the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, pregnant women experienced fear of death, hospitalization, quarantine, loss of family members, and financial repercussions, resulting in physical, psychological, and socioeconomic impacts on these women's lives.

Perceptions of Brazilian women at a public obstetric outpatient clinic regarding domestic violence: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to explore women's perceptions of violence, its causes, manifestations, consequences and responses to prevent and confront domestic violence against women in Brazilian society. DESIGN: We conducted a qualitative study with individual, semistructured interviews. We used thematic analysis and discussed the data considering the ecological framework. SETTING: The study was conducted in an antenatal and postnatal care service in the Brazilian National Health System. Data collection was conducted in October 2022. PARTICIPANTS: The sample selection was intentional and sampling was conducted according to the data saturation criterion. Twelve women who attended an antenatal and postnatal care service were interviewed. The participants reported different experiences of domestic and family violence throughout their lives. RESULTS: Based on the analysis, four themes were identified: (1) between the public and the private spheres: violence against women and its manifestations, causes and particularities; (2) factors that increase vulnerability; (3) protection system and support network: strengths and weaknesses; and (4) alternatives for the prevention and elimination of violence. CONCLUSIONS: The perceptions of Brazilian women during pregnancy and the postpartum period regarding domestic violence included a multifaceted view of violence. The women's discourse demonstrated the difficulties that they faced in interrupting the cycle of violence and accessing support networks.

Effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy on pain intensity in postpartum women with nipple or perineal trauma: protocol for a multicentre, double-blinded, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Photobiomodulation (PBM) using low-level laser can affect tissue repair mechanisms and seems promising in reducing pain intensity. However, few studies support the effectiveness of PBM on postpartum period complications, such as nipple and/or perineal trauma and pain, probably due to the low doses used. The primary objective of this study is to analyse the effectiveness of PBM on pain intensity in the nipple and perineal trauma in women in the immediate postpartum period. Secondary objectives are to evaluate the effect on tissue healing and the women's satisfaction. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A double-blind, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial will be performed in two public referral maternity hospitals in Brazil with 120 participants, divided into two arms: 60 participants in the nipple trauma arm and 60 participants in the perineal trauma arm. Participants will be women in the immediate postpartum period, who present with nipple trauma or perineal trauma and report pain intensity greater than or equal to 4 points on the Numerical Rating Scale for Pain. Block randomisation will be performed, followed by blinding allocation. In the experimental group, one application of PBM will be performed between 6 hours and 36 hours after birth. For the sham group, the simulation will be carried out without triggering energy. Both participants and the research evaluator will be blinded to the allocation group. Intention-to-treat method and the between-group and within-group outcome measures analysis will be performed. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This research protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committees of the University of Campinas, Brazil, and of the School Maternity Assis Chateaubriand, Brazil (numbers CAAE: 59400922.1.1001.5404; 59400922.1.3001.5050). Participants will be required to sign the informed consent form to participate. Results will be disseminated to the health science community. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-2qm8jrp).

Physical exercise during pregnancy: a systematic review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to provide an update on the recent evidence concerning exercise during pregnancy including effects for mother and fetus and the types, frequency, intensity, duration and rate of progression of exercise performed. RECENT FINDINGS: Exercises during pregnancy are associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness, prevention of urinary incontinence and low back pain, reduced symptoms of depression, gestational weight gain control, and for cases of gestational diabetes, reduced number of women who required insulin. There is no association with reduction in birth weight or preterm birth rate. The type of exercise shows no difference on results, and its intensity should be mild or moderate for previous sedentary women and moderate to high for active women. The exercise recommendations still are based on the current guidelines on moderate-intensity, low-impact, aerobic exercise at least three times a week. Yet, new guidelines propose increasing weekly physical-activity expenditure while incorporating vigorous exercise and adding light strength training to the exercise routine of healthy pregnant women. In the case of other chronic diseases like hypertension, there are still few data, and therefore more studies should be performed to assess the safety of the intervention. SUMMARY: Physical exercise is beneficial for women during pregnancy and also in the postpartum period; it is not associated with risks for the newborn and can lead to changes in lifestyle that imply long-term benefits.

Assessment of sexual and reproductive access and use of menstrual products among Venezuelan migrant adult women at the Brazilian-Venezuelan border.

Objective: To describe the sociodemographic characteristics, access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care, including contraceptives and to assess menstrual poverty of migrant Venezuelan adult women of childbearing age at the northwestern border between Venezuela and Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study coordinated by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil, conducted in Boa Vista, Roraima between January 18 and 24, 2021. We invited women aged 18 to 49 years to participate. A semi-structured self-response questionnaire was applied. The survey covered issues relating to SRH services, knowledge, access, and use of SRH services for women. We also applied a questionnaire regarding access to and quality of hygiene kits and toilets, and an open-ended question on "what does menstruation mean to you"? We excluded illiterate women and those with amenorrhea, those who had undergone hysterectomy or tubal ligation, and those with partners who had undergone vasectomy. Findings: The age (mean ± SD) of the 177 respondent women was 28 ± 6.8 years, 32.2% reported that they had more than three children, 38.4% referred at least one unplanned pregnancy, and 52.5% of the women indicated an intention to become pregnant in the near future. Furthermore, 40 (29.8%) women sought a healthcare service because they wanted a contraceptive method; among them, 16 did not receive the contraceptive that they chose, and 15 women wanted to use a contraceptive implant. Regarding menstrual poverty, 64 women stated that the menstrual hygiene products provided by humanitarian organizations were not enough for their needs, and 44 women claimed being unable to wash their hands anytime they wanted to. Conclusions: The vulnerabilities of this cohort of Venezuelan migrant women in Brazil who lived mainly out of the official shelters further increase when they struggle with no knowledge of how to access SRH services, lack of provision of LARC methods, risk of unplanned pregnancy, and inappropriate access to menstrual hygiene products and sanitary services. There are several challenges to be overcome to ensure SRH care for migrant women in Brazil.

A neglected population: Sexual and reproductive issues among adolescent and young Venezuelan migrant women at the northwestern border of Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescent and young women (10-24 years old) are a neglected group in humanitarian settings and their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs are habitually ignored. Our study aims to assess main SRH issues affecting migrant Venezuelan adolescents and young women in Boa Vista, Roraima at the northwestern border of Venezuela-Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with a self-responded questionnaire with information about SRH was conducted in 153 Venezuelan adolescent and young migrant women at Boa Vista, from January 18 to 23, 2021. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: Mean age was 17.7 years and two-thirds were under 20 years old. The majority (84%) were living on the streets. Most of them (54%) reported that they had at least one previous childbirth, 10% were pregnant at the time of the interview, 30% of them were not attending prenatal care. The main SRH concern was contraception (35%); however, 75% of those interviewed who went to a healthcare service were unable to obtain the method of their choice and for 91% no other contraceptive was offered. CONCLUSION: Migrant Venezuelan adolescents and young women in Boa Vista have their SRH needs overlooked. Efforts to address these SRH needs, especially during the pandemic, require urgent attention.

Preeclampsia among women with COVID-19 during pregnancy and its impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes: Results from a national multicenter study on COVID in Brazil, the REBRACO initiative.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of preeclampsia among cases of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and the association between both conditions, in a multicenter cohort of Brazilian women with respiratory symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: Ancillary analysis of the Brazilian Network of COVID-19 in Obstetrics (REBRACO) study. We performed a nested case-control analysis selecting all women with COVID-19 and compared outcomes between women with and without PE. MAIN OUTCOMES: Maternal, gestational, and clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes. MEASURES: Prevalence ratio (PR) and its 95%CI for each of the predictors and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 203 women were included: 21 (10.3%) in PE group and 182 (89.7%) in non-PE group. Preeclampsia was not different among women with and without COVID-19 (10.3% vs 13.1%, p-value = 0.41), neither complication such as eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Chronic hypertension (33.4%) (p < 0.01) and obesity (60.0%) (p = 0.03) were the most frequent comorbidities in PE group, and they were significantly more frequent in this group. Women with PE had more cesarean section (RR 5.54 [1.33 - 23.14]) and their neonates were more frequently admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (PR 2.46[1.06 - 5.69]), most likely due to preterm-birth-related complications. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PE among women with COVID-19 infection during pregnancy was around 10%; women with COVID-19 and a history of chronic hypertension or obesity are more likely to have preeclampsia. Cesarean section is increased among women with PE and COVID-19, with increased rates of neonatal admission to intensive care units, mostly due to prematurity.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilian pregnant and postpartum women: results from the REBRACO prospective cohort study.

Brazil presented a very high number of maternal deaths and evident delays in healthcare. We aimed at evaluating the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated outcomes in the obstetric population. We conducted a prospective cohort study in 15 Brazilian centers including symptomatic pregnant or postpartum women with suspected COVID-19 from Feb/2020 to Feb/2021. Women were followed from suspected infection until the end of pregnancy. We analyzed maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes associated with confirmed COVID-19 infection and SARS, determining unadjusted risk ratios. In total, 729 symptomatic women with suspected COVID-19 were initially included. Among those investigated for COVID-19, 51.3% (n = 289) were confirmed COVID-19 and 48% (n = 270) were negative. Initially (before May 15th), only 52.9% of the suspected cases were tested and it was the period with the highest proportion of ICU admission and maternal deaths. Non-white ethnicity (RR 1.78 [1.04-3.04]), primary schooling or less (RR 2.16 [1.21-3.87]), being overweight (RR 4.34 [1.04-19.01]) or obese (RR 6.55 [1.57-27.37]), having public prenatal care (RR 2.16 [1.01-4.68]), planned pregnancies (RR 2.09 [1.15-3.78]), onset of infection in postpartum period (RR 6.00 [1.37-26.26]), chronic hypertension (RR 2.15 [1.37-4.10]), pre-existing diabetes (RR 3.20 [1.37-7.46]), asthma (RR 2.22 [1.14-4.34]), and anaemia (RR 3.15 [1.14-8.71]) were associated with higher risk for SARS. The availability of tests and maternal outcomes varied throughout the pandemic period of the study; the beginning was the most challenging period, with worse outcomes. Socially vulnerable, postpartum and previously ill women were more likely to present SARS related to COVID-19.

From planning to practice: building the national network for the Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Improving maternal health is one of the Millennium Development Goals for 2015. Recently some progress has been achieved in reducing mortality. On the other hand, in developed regions, maternal death is a relatively rare event compared to the number of cases of morbidity; hence studying maternal morbidity has become more relevant. Electronic surveillance systems may improve research by facilitating complete data reporting and reducing the time required for data collection and analysis. Therefore the purpose of this study was to describe the methods used in elaborating and implementing the National Network for the Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity in Brazil. METHODS: The project consisted of a multicenter, cross-sectional study for the surveillance of severe maternal morbidity including near-miss, in Brazil. RESULTS: Following the development of a conceptual framework, centers were selected for inclusion in the network, consensus meetings were held among the centers, an electronic data collection system was identified, specific software and hardware tools were developed, research material was prepared, and the implementation process was initiated and analyzed. CONCLUSION: The conceptual framework developed for this network was based on the experience acquired in various studies carried out in the area over recent years and encompasses maternal and perinatal health. It is innovative especially in the context of a developing country. The implementation of the project represents the first step towards this planned management. The system online elaborated for this surveillance network may be used in further studies in reproductive and perinatal health.