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Wilhelm M, Gatt M, Hrzic R, Calleja N, Zeeb H. Evaluating neonatal mortality in Malta compared with other EU countries: Exploring the influence of congenital anomalies and maternal risk factors. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2024. [PMID: 39239928 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.13106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, 240,000 babies die in the neonatal period annually due to congenital anomalies (CA). Malta reports the highest neonatal mortality rate (NMR) among EU (European Union) Countries, constituting a public health concern. OBJECTIVES This study describes the contribution of CA to NMR in Malta, investigating possible associations with known maternal risk factors of maternal age, nationality, and education. Additionally, it provides an update on the contribution of CA to neonatal deaths in Malta and other EU countries. METHODS Anonymous data for births and neonatal deaths were obtained for 2006-2020 from the National Obstetrics Information System (NOIS) in Malta. Regression analyses adjusting for maternal risk factors were run on this data to explore possible associations with NMR. NMRs published by EUROSTAT 2011-2020 were used to compare mortality by underlying cause of death (CA or non-CA causes) for Malta and other EU countries. RESULTS Between 2006 and 2020, 63,890 live births with 283 neonatal deaths were registered in Malta, (NMR 4.4 per 1000 live births). CA accounted for 39.6% of neonatal deaths. No time trends were observed in either total NMR, NMR attributed to CA or mortality due to non-CA causes. Adjusted variables revealed associations for women hailing from non-EU, low-income countries. Malta registered high NMRs compared to EU countries, most marked for deaths attributed to CA. CONCLUSIONS Between 2006 and 2020, Malta's NMR remained stable. Maternal Nationality, from non-EU low-income countries, was associated with higher neonatal mortality. The influx of such migrants may play a partial role in the high NMRs experienced. Malta's high NMR was primarily driven by early neonatal deaths, which included high proportions of deaths due to CA and is linked to the fact that termination of pregnancy is illegal in Malta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merle Wilhelm
- University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Miriam Gatt
- Malta Congenital Anomalies Registry, Directorate for Health Information and Research, Pietà, Malta
| | - Rok Hrzic
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Neville Calleja
- Directorate for Health Information and Research, Pietà, Malta
| | - Hajo Zeeb
- Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology-BIPS, Bremen, Germany
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Kim J, Heazell AEP, Whittaker M, Stacey T, Watson K. Impact of health literacy on pregnancy outcomes in socioeconomically disadvantaged and ethnic minority populations: A scoping review. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024. [PMID: 39175268 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health literacy, influenced by sociodemographic characteristics such as ethnicity, economic means and societal factors, affects the ways in which pregnant women maintain their health; this in turn may increase risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE To explore what is known about the impact of personal health literacy on prevention of stillbirth and related adverse outcomes in pregnant women of low socioeconomic status or from ethnic minority backgrounds. SEARCH STRATEGY MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and CENTRAL were searched as well as reference lists of included studies and gray literature. SELECTION CRITERIA Included studies focused on personal health literacy and stillbirth prevention in women from low socioeconomic or ethnic minority backgrounds in the perinatal period. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS A meta-summary approach was adopted for qualitative, observational, descriptive, and audit studies. Findings of intervention studies were extracted, and meta-analyses were conducted where possible. The primary outcome was stillbirth; maternal mortality and neonatal mortality were secondary outcomes. MAIN RESULTS Forty-one studies were included from diverse geographical settings. The meta-summary synthesized five abstracted statements. These recognized lower personal health literacy and greater difficulty interacting with healthcare services in the studied populations, primarily as the result of limited health knowledge, lack of positive perception towards health services, language barriers, illiteracy, and relying on friends or family members for health information. Meta-analysis of intervention studies revealed no association between current interventions that aimed to increase personal health literacy and the risk of stillbirth (relative risk [RR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96-1.12), neonatal mortality (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.75-1.03), and maternal mortality (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.63-1.22). CONCLUSIONS Various factors suggest lower personal health literacy in women of low socioeconomic status or ethnic minority, which can increase the risk of stillbirth. However, this review identified no significant impact of current health education interventions on the risk of stillbirth, or neonatal or maternal mortality. Although not directly measured, the health education interventions were anticipated to increase personal health literacy. Further research on the topic of this scoping review is warranted, particularly in lower-resource settings and regarding the potential role of e-literacy and organizational health literacy to improve pregnancy outcomes. To address deficits in health literacy, efforts must be made to provide pregnant women with health information in novel, accessible ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Kim
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alexander E P Heazell
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Saint Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Maya Whittaker
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Tomasina Stacey
- Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kylie Watson
- Saint Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Zhou X, He J, Wang A, Hua X, Li T, Shu C, Fang J. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors for birth defects: a study from population-based surveillance data. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1037. [PMID: 38622560 PMCID: PMC11017609 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18420-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore risk factors for birth defects (including a broad range of specific defects). METHODS Data were derived from the Population-based Birth Defects Surveillance System in Hunan Province, China, 2014-2020. The surveillance population included all live births, stillbirths, infant deaths, and legal termination of pregnancy between 28 weeks gestation and 42 days postpartum. The prevalence of birth defects (number of birth defects per 1000 infants) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (method: Forward, Wald, α = 0.05) and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were used to identify risk factors for birth defects. We used the presence or absence of birth defects (or specific defects) as the dependent variable, and eight variables (sex, residence, number of births, paternal age, maternal age, number of pregnancies, parity, and maternal household registration) were entered as independent variables in multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Our study included 143,118 infants, and 2984 birth defects were identified, with a prevalence of 20.85% (95%CI: 20.10-21.60). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that seven variables (except for parity) were associated with birth defects (or specific defects). There were five factors associated with the overall birth defects. The risk factors included males (OR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.39-1.61), multiple births (OR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.18-1.76), paternal age < 20 (OR = 2.20, 95%CI: 1.19-4.09) or 20-24 (OR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.42-1.94), maternal age 30-34 (OR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.04-1.29) or > = 35 (OR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.33-1.81), and maternal non-local household registration (OR = 2.96, 95%CI: 2.39-3.67). Some factors were associated with the specific defects. Males were risk factors for congenital metabolic disorders (OR = 3.86, 95%CI: 3.15-4.72), congenital limb defects (OR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.14-1.58), and congenital kidney and urinary defects (OR = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.65-3.34). Rural areas were risk factors for congenital metabolic disorders (OR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.01-1.44). Multiple births were risk factors for congenital heart defects (OR = 2.09, 95%CI: 1.55-2.82), congenital kidney and urinary defects (OR = 2.14, 95%CI: 1.05-4.37), and cleft lip and/or palate (OR = 2.85, 95%CI: 1.32-6.15). Paternal age < 20 was the risk factor for congenital limb defects (OR = 3.27, 95%CI: 1.10-9.71), 20-24 was the risk factor for congenital heart defects (OR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.24-2.17), congenital metabolic disorders (OR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.11-2.21), congenital limb defects (OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.14-2.29), and congenital ear defects (OR = 2.13, 95%CI: 1.17-3.89). Maternal age < 20 was the risk factor for cleft lip and/or palate (OR = 3.14, 95%CI: 1.24-7.95), 30-34 was the risk factor for congenital limb defects (OR = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.09-1.73), >=35 was the risk factor for congenital heart defects (OR = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.14-1.99), congenital limb defects (OR = 1.98, 95%CI: 1.41-2.78), and congenital ear defects (OR = 1.82, 95%CI: 1.06-3.10). Number of pregnancies = 2 was the risk factor for congenital nervous system defects (OR = 2.27, 95%CI: 1.19-4.32), >=4 was the risk factor for chromosomal abnormalities (OR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.06-3.88) and congenital nervous system defects (OR = 3.03, 95%CI: 1.23-7.47). Maternal non-local household registration was the risk factor for congenital heart defects (OR = 3.57, 95%CI: 2.54-5.03), congenital metabolic disorders (OR = 1.89, 95%CI: 1.06-3.37), congenital limb defects (OR = 2.94, 95%CI: 1.86-4.66), and congenital ear defects (OR = 3.26, 95%CI: 1.60-6.65). CONCLUSION In summary, several risk factors were associated with birth defects (including a broad range of specific defects). One risk factor may be associated with several defects, and one defect may be associated with several risk factors. Future studies should examine the mechanisms. Our findings have significant public health implications as some factors are modifiable or avoidable, such as promoting childbirths at the appropriate age, improving the medical and socio-economic conditions of non-local household registration residents, and devoting more resources to some specific defects in high-risk groups, which may help reducing birth defects in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhou
- Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410000, China
| | - Jian He
- Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410000, China
| | - Aihua Wang
- Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410000, China
| | - Xinjun Hua
- Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410000, China
| | - Ting Li
- Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410000, China
| | - Chuqiang Shu
- Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410000, China.
| | - Junqun Fang
- Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410000, China.
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McCall SJ, El Khoury TC, Ghattas H, Elbassuoni S, Murtada MH, Jamaluddine Z, Haddad C, Hussein A, Krounbi A, DeJong J, Khazaal J, Chahine R. Maternal and infant outcomes of Syrian and Palestinian refugees, Lebanese and migrant women giving birth in a tertiary public hospital in Lebanon: a secondary analysis of an obstetric database. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e064859. [PMID: 36813505 PMCID: PMC9950922 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to assess whether the characteristics, management and outcomes of women varied between Syrian and Palestinian refugees, migrant women of other nationalities and Lebanese women giving birth at a public tertiary centre in Beirut, Lebanon. METHODS This was a secondary data analysis of routinely collected data from the public Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) between January 2011 and July 2018. Data were extracted from medical notes using text mining machine learning methods. Nationality was categorised into Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian and migrant women of other nationalities. The main outcomes were diabetes, pre-eclampsia, placenta accreta spectrum, hysterectomy, uterine rupture, blood transfusion, preterm birth and intrauterine fetal death. Logistic regression models estimated the association between nationality and maternal and infant outcomes, and these were presented using ORs and 95% CIs. RESULTS 17 624 women gave birth at RHUH of whom 54.3% were Syrian, 39% Lebanese, 2.5% Palestinian and 4.2% migrant women of other nationalities. The majority of women had a caesarean section (73%) and 11% had a serious obstetric complication. Between 2011 and 2018, there was a decline in the use of primary caesarean section (caesarean section performed for the first time) from 7% to 4% of births (p<0.001). The odds of preeclampsia, placenta abruption and serious complications were significantly higher for Palestinian and migrant women of other nationalities compared to Lebanese women, but not for Syrian women. Very preterm birth was higher for Syrians (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.40) and migrant women of other nationalities (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.03) compared to Lebanese women. CONCLUSION Syrian refugees in Lebanon had similar obstetric outcomes compared to the host population, except for very preterm birth. However, Palestinian women and migrant women of other nationalities appeared to have worse pregnancy complications than the Lebanese women. There should be better healthcare access and support for migrant populations to avoid severe complications of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J McCall
- Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Tanya C El Khoury
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hala Ghattas
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Shady Elbassuoni
- Computer Science, Faculty of Art and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mhd Hussein Murtada
- Computer Science, Faculty of Art and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zeina Jamaluddine
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Christine Haddad
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Aya Hussein
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Amina Krounbi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jocelyn DeJong
- Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Janoub Khazaal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rabih Chahine
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
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Jensen A, Greisen G, Stensballe LG. Socioeconomic background affects mortality in Danish children with severe chronic disease. Acta Paediatr 2022; 111:2393-2399. [PMID: 36093628 PMCID: PMC9825841 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
AIM To assess the association between socioeconomic factors and mortality in Danish children diagnosed with different types of severe chronic disease, including cancer. METHODS National cohort study 1994-2020 including Danish children with chronic disease. Inclusion was based on diagnoses in The National Patient Register, socioeconomic information was obtained from Statistics Denmark and mortality was ascertained from the Cause of Death Register. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were based on Cox regression. The factors were combined in one common risk score and the association with disease-specific mortality was analysed overall and by ethnicity status. RESULTS Overall, non-Danish ethnicity (HR = 1.96 (95% CI 1.69-2.28)) was associated with all-cause mortality in 128 129 children (69 435 male and 58 694 female) with chronic disease. Median age at first diagnosis was 1.42 years (range 0-18 years). Low family income was associated with mortality regardless of ethnicity status, and young maternal age was also a notable risk factor across ethnicities. The socioeconomic association was more pronounced in children with cancer. CONCLUSION In the high-income setting of Denmark, ethnicity and differences in socioeconomic background were associated with child mortality even among children with severe chronic disease. The pattern was more pronounced in paediatric cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Jensen
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent MedicineRigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Gorm Greisen
- Department of Intensive Care of Newborns and Small ChildrenRigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Lone Graff Stensballe
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent MedicineRigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
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Kancherla V, Roos N, Walani SR. Relationship between achieving Sustainable Development Goals and promoting optimal care and prevention of birth defects globally. Birth Defects Res 2022; 114:773-784. [PMID: 35776686 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Birth defects affect eight million newborns annually worldwide. About 8% of global under-5 mortality is attributable to birth defects. The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have set 17 global goals for human growth and development to be achieved by 2030 using multi-sectorial approaches. The third goal (SDG-3) focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being; achieving SDG-3 improves birth defects care and prevention. However, we aimed to show how achieving other SDGs also influence optimal care and prevention of birth defects. SDGs focused on poverty reduction, access to nutritious food, universal health coverage, equitable education, gender equality, environment, inclusivity through infrastructure innovation, and strengthening social justice is crucial to addressing social determinants of health for individuals and families affected by birth defects. Understanding birth defects in the context of several relevant SDGs will allow practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to leverage the momentum generated by SDGs and make a case for commitment and allocation of funding and resources for advancing birth defects surveillance, care, and prevention. SDGs are built on principles of equity and social justice and we urge policy-makers to approach birth defects using various SDGs as a catalyst. The synergy between several SDGs helps to optimize birth defect outcomes and prevention. Our effort to present a more comprehensive look at various SDGs and their relationship with birth defects is parallel to several other health advocacy groups conducting a similar mapping exercise, thus bringing to the forefront millions of lives that are impacted by birth defects worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijaya Kancherla
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nathalie Roos
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Behboudi-Gandevani S, Bidhendi-Yarandi R, Panahi MH, Mardani A, Gåre Kymre I, Paal P, Vaismoradi M. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Risk of Stillbirth, Perinatal and Neonatal Mortality in Immigrant Women. Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1604479. [PMID: 35664648 PMCID: PMC9156626 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the risk of stillbirth, perinatal and neonatal mortality in immigrant women compared to native-origin women in host countries. Methods: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted. Relevant studies were identified using a thorough literature search and their quality was appraised. The analysis of heterogeneous data was carried out using the random effects model and publication bias was assessed using the Harbord-test. Also, the pooled odds ratio of events was calculated through the DerSimonian and Laird, and inverse variance methods. Results: In the search process 45 studies were retrieved consisting of 8,419,435 immigrant women and 40,113,869 native-origin women. The risk of stillbirth (Pooled OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.22-1.50), perinatal mortality (Pooled OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.35-1.68), and neonatal mortality (Pooled OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.00-1.19) in the immigrant women were significantly higher than the native-origin women in host countries. According to the sensitivity analyses, all results were highly consistent with the main data analysis results. Conclusion: The immigrant women compared to the native-origin women had the higher risks of stillbirth, perinatal and neonatal mortality. Healthcare providers and policy makers should improve the provision of maternal and neonatal healthcare for the immigrant population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Razieh Bidhendi-Yarandi
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Panahi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Mardani
- Nursing Care Research Center, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Piret Paal
- Institute of Nursing Science and Practice, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
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Bhat S, Birdus N, Bhat SM. Ethnic variation in causes of stillbirth in high income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2021; 158:270-277. [PMID: 34767262 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inequities in stillbirth rate according to ethnicity persist in high income nations. The objective of the present study is to investigate whether causes of stillbirth differ by ethnicity in high-income nations. METHODS The following databases were searched since their inception to 1 February 2021: Medline, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Global Health. Cohort, cross-sectional, and retrospective studies were included. Causes of stillbirth were aligned to the International Classification of Disease 10 for Perinatal Mortality (ICD10-PM) and pooled estimates were derived by meta-analysis. RESULTS Fifteen reports from three countries (72 555 stillbirths) were included. Seven ethnic groups - "Caucasian" (n = 11 studies), "African" (n = 11 studies), "Hispanic" (n = 7 studies), "Indigenous Australian" (n = 4 studies), "Asian" (n = 2 studies), "South Asian" (n = 2 studies), and "American Indian" (n = 1 study) - were identified. There was an overall paucity of recent, high-quality data for many ethnicities. For those with the greatest amount of data - Caucasian, African, and Hispanic - no major differences in the causes of stillbirth were identified. CONCLUSION There is a paucity of high-quality information on causes of stillbirth for many ethnicities. Improving investigation and standardizing classification of stillbirths is needed to assess whether causes of stillbirth differ across more diverse ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saiuj Bhat
- Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nadya Birdus
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
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Ammoura O, Sehouli J, Kurmeyer C, Richter R, Kutschke N, Henrich W, Inci MG. Perinatal Data of Refugee Women from the Gynaecology Department of Charité University Hospital Berlin Compared with German Federal Analysis. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2021; 81:1238-1246. [PMID: 34754273 PMCID: PMC8568502 DOI: 10.1055/a-1397-6888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
The aim of this study was to record the perinatal data of refugee women at Charité Hospital, Berlin, and to evaluate possible differences in pre-, peri- and postnatal outcomes compared with indigenous women.
Material and Methods
All pregnant women who gave birth in the period from 1 January 2014 to 30 September 2017 and were registered at least once in the hospital as “refugee” were included in the analysis. The data recorded from the refugee women were compared with the perinatal data of the German Federal obstetric analysis for the year 2016, which was published by the IQTIG (Institut für Qualitätssicherung und Transparenz im Gesundheitswesen [Institute for Quality Assurance and Transparency in Healthcare]).
Results
The analysis comprised 907 refugee women and 928 infants (21 twin pregnancies). Pregnant refugee women were significantly younger than the pregnant women from the Federal analysis (birth before the age of 30: 66 vs. 41%, p < 0.001, RR: 1.6, 95% CI: 62.9 – 69.2). They had a history both of more pregnancies (≥ 3 pregnancies: 29.4 vs. 13.4%, p < 0.001, RR: 2.2, 95% CI: 26.4 – 32.5) and of more miscarriages (> 2 miscarriages: 9.7 vs. 5.9%, p < 0.001, RR: 1.6, 95% CI: 7.9 – 11.8) and more often had a history of suffering from psychological stress (11.1 vs. 4.1%, p < 0.001, RR: 2.70, 95% CI: 9.2 – 13.4). There were more premature births (10.3 vs. 3.0%, p < 0.001, RR: 3.36, 95% CI: 8.4 – 12.4), post-term pregnancies (8.5 vs. 0.5%, p < 0.001, RR: 15.4, 95% CI: 6.7 – 10.5), and cases of postpartum anaemia (28.7 vs. 22.0%, p < 0.001, RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 25.7 – 31.7) and puerperal endometritis (1 vs. 0.2%, p = 0.006, RR: 4.3, 95% CI: 0.5 – 1.9)
compared with the Federal analysis. The neonatal outcome showed an increased rate of hypotrophy (11 vs. 7%, p < 0.001, RR: 1.6, 95% CI: 9.1 – 13.2), more stillbirths (0.7 vs. 0.2%, p = 0.006, RR: 3, 95% CI: 0.2 – 1.4) and increased congenital malformations (2.8 vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001, RR: 3, 95% CI: 0.2 – 1.4).
Conclusion
Both refugee women and their infants showed significant differences. Despite the average younger age of the pregnant refugee women, the rates of premature birth and stillbirth and congenital malformations were significantly more frequent. More intensive antenatal screening with differentiated foetal organ diagnostics including psychosomatic care could contribute to early identification and prompt diagnosis. As regards the postpartum anaemia and puerperal endometritis, which occur more often in refugee women, midwife engagement and an improvement in the living situation in homes and accommodation facilities could be of great importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola Ammoura
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Klinik für Gynäkologie, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jalid Sehouli
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Klinik für Gynäkologie, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Kurmeyer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Frauen- und Gleichstellungsbeauftragte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rolf Richter
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Klinik für Gynäkologie, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadja Kutschke
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Klinik für Gynäkologie, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Henrich
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Klinik für Geburtsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Melisa Guelhan Inci
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Klinik für Gynäkologie, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
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10
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Gieles NC, Tankink JB, van Midde M, Düker J, van der Lans P, Wessels CM, Bloemenkamp KWM, Bonsel G, van den Akker T, Goosen S, Rijken MJ, Browne JL. Maternal and perinatal outcomes of asylum seekers and undocumented migrants in Europe: a systematic review. Eur J Public Health 2020; 29:714-723. [PMID: 31098629 PMCID: PMC6734941 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Asylum seekers (AS) and undocumented migrants (UM) are at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes due to adverse health determinants and compromised maternal healthcare access and service quality. Considering recent migratory patterns and the absence of a robust overview, a systematic review was conducted on maternal and perinatal outcomes in AS and UM in Europe. Methods Systematic literature searches were performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE (until 1 May 2017), complemented by a grey literature search (until 1 June 2017). Primary research articles reporting on any maternal or perinatal outcome, published between 2007 and 2017 in English/Dutch were eligible for inclusion. Review protocols were registered on Prospero: CRD42017062375 and CRD42017062477. Due to heterogeneity in study populations and outcomes, results were synthesized narratively. Results Of 4652 peer-reviewed articles and 145 grey literature sources screened, 11 were included from 4 European countries. Several studies reported adverse outcomes including higher maternal mortality (AS), severe acute maternal morbidity (AS), preterm birth (UM) and low birthweight (UM). Risk of bias was generally acceptable, although the limited number and quality of some studies preclude definite conclusions. Conclusion Limited evidence is available on pregnancy outcomes in AS and UM in Europe. The adverse outcomes reported imply that removing barriers to high-quality maternal care should be a priority. More research focussing on migrant subpopulations, considering potential risk factors such as ethnicity and legal status, is needed to guide policy and optimize care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor C Gieles
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Julia B Tankink
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Myrthe van Midde
- Research Department, Médecins du Monde/Dokters van de Wereld, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes Düker
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peggy van der Lans
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Hospital Twente ZGT/MST, Enschede, The Netherlands.,Dutch Working Party on International Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Catherina M Wessels
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kitty W M Bloemenkamp
- Department of Obstetrics, Birth Centre Wilhelmina Children Hospital, Division Women and Baby, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gouke Bonsel
- Department of Obstetrics, Birth Centre Wilhelmina Children Hospital, Division Women and Baby, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas van den Akker
- Dutch Working Party on International Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Simone Goosen
- Netherlands Association of Community Health Services, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcus J Rijken
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Dutch Working Party on International Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Obstetrics, Birth Centre Wilhelmina Children Hospital, Division Women and Baby, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joyce L Browne
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Dutch Working Party on International Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Stillbirth in Greece during the years of economic crisis: a population-based study. Eur J Pediatr 2020; 179:1157-1166. [PMID: 32062708 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-020-03588-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The recent economic crisis has been linked with declines in population health. Evidence on the impact of the crisis on stillbirth rates is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess trends of stillbirth rates in Greece during the pre-crisis (2004-2008) and crisis period (2009-2015) and explore risk factors. Nationwide data (n = 1,276,816 births; 5023 stillbirths) were used to assess rates and trends through Poisson and joinpoint regressions. Multivariable Poisson regressions by nationality were fitted. The overall annual stillbirth rate was 3.9/1000 births with higher rates among non-Greeks (5.0/1000) than Greeks (3.7/1000). Non-significant decreasing trends were noted for Greeks (- 0.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 1.4, 0.4%) versus non-significant increasing trends in non-Greeks (1.4%, 95% CI - 0.5, 3.3%). After adjusting for possible confounders, the relative stillbirth risk (RR) increased during the crisis versus the pre-crisis period (RRGreeks 1.61, 95% CI 1.50, 1.74; RRnon-Greeks 1.92, 95% CI 1.64, 2.26). Multiplicity, birth order, birth size, maternal education, marital status, and parental age were risk factors.Conclusions: Bidirectional stillbirth trends were observed among Greeks and non-Greeks, whereas the RR increased by 2-fold during the crisis. Persisting disparities require tailored employment of preventive measures ensuring optimal quality of the child's and maternal health.What is Known:• Stillbirth rate is a key population health indicator reflecting economic development and health care services within a population.• The recent economic crisis has been linked with declines in population health.What is New:• Economic crisis, ethnic minorities, and several modifiable factors seem to be significant determinants of stillbirth risk.
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Villadsen SF, Hadi H, Ismail I, Osborne RH, Ekstrøm CT, Kayser L. ehealth literacy and health literacy among immigrants and their descendants compared with women of Danish origin: a cross-sectional study using a multidimensional approach among pregnant women. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e037076. [PMID: 32385065 PMCID: PMC7228522 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore ehealth literacy, ability to actively engage with healthcare providers and health system navigation among pregnant immigrant women and their descendants compared with women of Danish origin. DESIGN AND SETTING A cross-sectional survey at antenatal clinics in 2016, Denmark. PARTICIPANTS Pregnant women attending antenatal care (n=405). OUTCOME MEASURES The eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ) and two domains from the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ): ability to actively engage with healthcare providers and health system navigation. Range of response options for eHLQ (1-4) and HLQ (1-5). With mixed-effect linear regressions, eHLQ and HLQ among immigrants and their descendants compared with women of Danish origin were assessed. RESULTS The response rate was 75%. The overall trend was lower ehealth literacy and HLQ domains among immigrants and their descendants compared with women of Danish origin. For ehealth literacy, the results suggest that challenges related more to digital abilities than motivation, trust and access to technology. The mean ability to engage with digital services was 3.20 (SD 0.44) for women of Danish origin. Non-Western descendants (-0.14, 95% CI -0.31 to 0.02), non-Western (-0.20, 95% CI -0.34 to -0.06) and Western (-0.22, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.06) immigrants had lower adjusted means of this outcome. No differences in motivation to engage with digital services were found for descendants (-0.00, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.17), non-Western (0.03, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.18) or Western (-0.06, 95% CI -0.23 to 0.10) immigrants compared with the mean of the reference (2.85, SD 0.45). Lower ability to engage with healthcare providers was found for non-Western born immigrants (-0.15, CI 95% -0.30 to -0.01) compared with the mean of women with Danish origin (4.15, SD 0.47). CONCLUSION Generally, descendant and immigrant women had lower levels of ehealth literacy and health literacy than women of Danish origin. These differences are potentially antecedents of adverse birth outcomes and could inform structural efforts to mitigate health inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Fredsted Villadsen
- Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, Kobenhavns Universitet, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Hajer Hadi
- Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, Kobenhavns Universitet, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Israa Ismail
- Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, Kobenhavns Universitet, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Richard H Osborne
- Centre for Global Health and Equity, School of Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | - Claus Thorn Ekstrøm
- Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, Kobenhavns Universitet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Kayser
- Section of Health Services Research, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Favarato G, Townsend CL, Peters H, Sconza R, Bailey H, Cortina-Borja M, Tookey P, Thorne C. Stillbirth in Women Living With HIV Delivering in the United Kingdom and Ireland: 2007-2015. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2020; 82:9-16. [PMID: 31149953 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women living with HIV have a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes, but questions remain regarding their specific risk factors for stillbirth and the extent to which maternal HIV is associated with stillbirth. METHODS Using data on pregnant women with HIV reported within population-based surveillance in the United Kingdom/Ireland, we described stillbirth rates in 2007-2015 stratified by type of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and evaluated risk factors using Poisson regression. General population stillbirth rates by maternal world region of origin were derived from national annual birth statistics, and compared with rates in women with HIV, using standardized stillbirth ratios with the general population as the reference. RESULTS Between 2007 and 2015, there were 10,434 singleton deliveries in 8090 women with HIV; 75% of pregnancies were in women of African origin; and 49% were conceived on ART. The stillbirth rate was 8.5 (95% confidence interval: 6.9 to 10.5) per 1000 births. Risk factors for stillbirth included pre-eclampsia, diabetes, Asian maternal origin (versus United Kingdom/Ireland), CD4 count <350 cells/mm, older maternal age, and primiparity. Conceiving on ART did not increase the risk. The stillbirth rates (per 1000 births) by type of ART were 14.3, 11.7, 8.3, and 6.0, respectively for NVP + XTC/TDF-, LPV/r + 3TC/ZDV-, NVP + XTC/ABC-, and NVP + XTC/ZDV-exposed pregnancies (P value = 0.40). The standardized stillbirth ratio was 129 (95% confidence interval: 101 to 165) in women with HIV compared with the general population. CONCLUSION After adjusting for maternal origin, the stillbirth rate remained higher in women with HIV than the general population. We recommend further studies to understand and prevent this excess.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziella Favarato
- Population, Policy, Practice Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, United Kingdom
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Mozooni M, Pennell CE, Preen DB. Healthcare factors associated with the risk of antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth in migrants in Western Australia (2005-2013): A retrospective cohort study. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003061. [PMID: 32182239 PMCID: PMC7077810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migrant women, especially from Indian and African ethnicity, have a higher risk of stillbirth than native-born populations in high-income countries. Differential access or timing of ANC and the uptake of other services may play a role. We investigated the pattern of healthcare utilisation among migrant women and its relationship with the risk of stillbirth (SB)-antepartum stillbirth (AnteSB) and intrapartum stillbirth (IntraSB)-in Western Australia (WA). METHODS AND FINDINGS A retrospective cohort study using de-identified linked data from perinatal, birth, death, hospital, and birth defects registrations through the WA Data Linkage System was undertaken. All (N = 260,997) non-Indigenous births (2005-2013) were included. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% CI for AnteSB and IntraSB comparing migrant women from white, Asian, Indian, African, Māori, and 'other' ethnicities with Australian-born women controlling for risk factors and potential healthcare-related covariates. Of all the births, 66.1% were to Australian-born and 33.9% to migrant women. The mean age (years) was 29.5 among the Australian-born and 30.5 among the migrant mothers. For parity, 42.3% of Australian-born women, 58.2% of Indian women, and 29.3% of African women were nulliparous. Only 5.3% of Māori and 9.2% of African migrants had private health insurance in contrast to 43.1% of Australian-born women. Among Australian-born women, 14% had smoked in pregnancy whereas only 0.7% and 1.9% of migrants from Indian and African backgrounds, respectively, had smoked in pregnancy. The odds of AnteSB was elevated in African (odds ratio [OR] 2.22, 95% CI 1.48-2.13, P < 0.001), Indian (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.13-2.44, P = 0.013), and other women (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.07-1.97, P = 0.016) whereas IntraSB was higher in African (OR 5.24, 95% CI 3.22-8.54, P < 0.001) and 'other' women (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.35-3.54, P = 0.002) compared with Australian-born women. When migrants were stratified by timing of first antenatal visit, the odds of AnteSB was exclusively increased in those who commenced ANC later than 14 weeks gestation in women from Indian (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.18-3.95, P = 0.013), Māori (OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.43-6.45, P = 0.004), and 'other' (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.34-3.58, P = 0.002) ethnicities. With midwife-only intrapartum care, the odds of IntraSB for viable births in African and 'other' migrants (combined) were more than 3 times that of Australian-born women (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.28-9.19, P = 0.014); however, with multidisciplinary intrapartum care, the odds were similar to that of Australian-born group (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.30-5.98, P = 0.695). Compared with Australian-born women, migrant women who utilised interpreter services had a lower risk of SB (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.27-0.96, P = 0.035); those who did not utilise interpreters had a higher risk of SB (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07-1.35, P < 0.001). Covariates partially available in the data set comprised the main limitation of the study. CONCLUSION Late commencement of ANC, underutilisation of interpreter services, and midwife-only intrapartum care are associated with increased risk of SB in migrant women. Education to improve early engagement with ANC, better uptake of interpreter services, and the provision of multidisciplinary-team intrapartum care to women specifically from African and 'other' backgrounds may reduce the risk of SB in migrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Mozooni
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Craig E. Pennell
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David B. Preen
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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15
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Siahanidou T, Dessypris N, Analitis A, Mihas C, Evangelou E, Chrousos G, Petridou E. Disparities of infant and neonatal mortality trends in Greece during the years of economic crisis by ethnicity, place of residence and human development index: a nationwide population study. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e025287. [PMID: 31427311 PMCID: PMC6701607 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study trends of infant mortality rate (IMR) and neonatal mortality rate in Greece during the period 2004-2016 and explore the role of sociodemographic factors in the years of crisis. DESIGN Nationwide individual data for live births and infant (0-11 months) deaths provided by the Hellenic Statistical Authority were examined using Poisson, joinpoint regression and interrupted time series (ITS) analyses. SETTING Greece. PARTICIPANTS All infant deaths (n=4862) over the 13-year period, of which 87.2% were born to Greek mothers, and respective live births. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Evolution of IMR (0-364 days), early (<7 days) neonatal mortality rate (ENMR), late (7-27 days) neonatal mortality rate (LNMR) and post neonatal (28-364 days) mortality rate (PNMR) trends, by maternal nationality, place of residence and Human Development Index (HDI). RESULTS By Poisson regression, overall, during the study period, among infants of Greek mothers, IMR and PNMR declined significantly (-0.9%; 95% CI -1.7% to -0.1% and -1.6%; -3.0% to -0.2% annually, respectively), although differentially by place of residence (IMRurban: -2.1%; -2.9% to -1.3%, IMRrural: +10.6%; 7.6% to 13.6%). By contrast, among infants of non-Greek mothers, the low starting IMR/ENMR/LNMR/PNMR increased significantly (max ENMR:+12.5%; 8.6% to 16.5%) leading to a non-significant time-trend pattern overall in Greece. The inverse associations of HDI with IMR, ENMR and PNMR were restricted to Greek mothers' infants. Joinpoint regression analyses among Greek mothers' infants indicated non-significant increasing trends of IMR and ENMR following the crisis (+9.3%, 2012-2016, p=0.07 and +10.2%, 2011-2016, p=0.06, respectively). By contrast, the high (+17.1%; 8.1% to 26.9%, p=0.002) IMR increases among non-Greek infants were restricted to 2004-2011 and equalised to those of Greek mothers' infants thereafter. ITS analyses in preset years (2008, 2010, 2012) identified significantly increasing trends in IMR, LNMR and PNMR after 2012, and in ENMR after 2010, among Greek mothers' infants. CONCLUSIONS HDI and rural residence were significantly associated with IMR. The strongly decreasing IMR trends among Greek-mothers' infants were stagnated after a lag time of ~4 years of crisis approximating the previously sharply increasing trends among non-Greeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Siahanidou
- First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nick Dessypris
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonis Analitis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Constantinos Mihas
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Evangelou
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina, Greece
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - George Chrousos
- First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Petridou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Sow M, Schoenborn C, De Spiegelaere M, Racape J. Influence of time since naturalisation on socioeconomic status and low birth weight among immigrants in Belgium. A population-based study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220856. [PMID: 31415620 PMCID: PMC6695099 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Increasingly studies show that immigrants have different perinatal health outcomes compared to native-born women. Nevertheless, we lack a detailed examination of the combined effects of maternal immigrant trajectory and socioeconomic status on perinatal outcomes. Our objective was to analyze the influence of time since naturalization on low birth weight and maternal socioeconomic status in Belgium. Methods The data came from the linkage between the Brussels birth and death registers, the national register of migrant trajectories and the social security register for the years 2004–2010. We used logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios of the associations between low birth weight (LBW) and time since naturalization, by nationality groups, taking into account socioeconomic status (SES), parity and maternal age. Results Data relate to all singleton births to Belgian, Maghrebi, Sub-Saharan African and Turkish women (n = 76 312). The results show an U-shaped of LBW according to time since naturalization for all migrant groups. LBW declines for women naturalized since less than one year and increases significantly thereafter (p<0.0001). In parallel, we observe an increase of SES among all migrant groups. Compared to Belgians, we found a lower risk of LBW among women from Maghreb (p<0.0001) and this protection is maintained even after 10 years since naturalization. In contrast, the risk of LBW for Sub-Saharan African and Turkish mothers is lower than for Belgians after one year of naturalization but similar to that of Belgians after 10 years of naturalization. Conclusion Our results show that, despite an improvement of their SES, LBW increases among Maghrebi, Sub-Saharan African and Turkish women with time since naturalization. Mothers from Maghreb have lower rates of LBW compared to Belgians and maintain their protection even after more than 10 years of having acquired the Belgian nationality. Additional studies need to be carried out in order to gain a better understanding of the association between migration trajectories, SES and perinatal health of immigrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Sow
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Research centre in Health Policies and Health Systems, School of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
- Université de Montréal, School of Public Health, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - C. Schoenborn
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Research centre in Health Policies and Health Systems, School of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - M. De Spiegelaere
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Research centre in Health Policies and Health Systems, School of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - J. Racape
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Research centre in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical research, School of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
- Chair in Health and Precarity, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Médecins du monde, Brussels, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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Salway S, Yazici E, Khan N, Ali P, Elmslie F, Thompson J, Qureshi N. How should health policy and practice respond to the increased genetic risk associated with close relative marriage? results of a UK Delphi consensus building exercise. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e028928. [PMID: 31289086 PMCID: PMC6615806 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-028928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES (1) To explore professional and lay stakeholder views on the design and delivery of services in the area of consanguinity and genetic risk. (2) To identify principles on which there is sufficient consensus to warrant inclusion in a national guidance document. (3) To highlight differences of opinion that necessitate dialogue. (4) To identify areas where further research or development work is needed to inform practical service approaches. DESIGN Delphi exercise. Three rounds and one consensus conference. SETTING UK, national, web-based and face-to-face. PARTICIPANTS Recruitment via email distribution lists and professional networks. 42 participants with varied professional and demographic backgrounds contributed to at least one round of the exercise. 29 people participated in statement ranking across both rounds 2 and 3. RESULTS Over 700 individual statements were generated in round 1 and consolidated into 193 unique statements for ranking in round 2, with 60% achieving 80% or higher agreement. In round 3, 74% of statements achieved 80% or higher agreement. Consensus conference discussions resulted in a final set of 148 agreed statements, providing direction for both policy-makers and healthcare professionals. 13 general principles were agreed, with over 90% agreement on 12 of these. Remaining statements were organised into nine themes: national level leadership and coordination, local level leadership and coordination, training and competencies for healthcare and other professionals, genetic services, genetic literacy, primary care, referrals and coordination, monitoring and evaluation and research. Next steps and working groups were also identified. CONCLUSIONS There is high agreement among UK stakeholders on the general principles that should shape policy and practice responses in this area: equity of access, cultural competence, coordinated inter-agency working, co-design and empowerment and embedded evaluation. The need for strong national leadership to ensure more efficient sharing of knowledge and promotion of more equitable and consistent responses across the country is emphasised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Salway
- Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Edanur Yazici
- Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Nasaim Khan
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Parveen Ali
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Frances Elmslie
- South West Thames Regional Genetics Service, St George’s University Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Julia Thompson
- Children and Young People’s Public Health Team, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield, UK
| | - Nadeem Qureshi
- Division of Primary Care, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Zografaki I, Papamichail D, Panagiotopoulos T. Adverse effect of the financial crisis in Greece on perinatal factors. Eur J Public Health 2019; 28:1116-1121. [PMID: 29788184 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Starting in 2008 recession affected many European countries and especially Greece. Previous studies have reported increases in low birth weight, preterm birth and stillbirth rates in Greece during early crisis. In our study we used data on births from 1980 to 2014 that allowed us to distinguish recent changes, which could possibly be attributed to the financial crisis, from long term trends, and controlled for maternal age and country of origin as potential confounders. Our study covered a longer period (up to 2014) than what has been studied before and looked separately at the effect of early and established crisis. Methods We used national vital statistics data from 1980 to 2014. We performed age standardization and calculated age standardized rates and standardized rate ratios (SRRs) for perinatal factors for three time periods (pre-crisis, early crisis and established crisis) for Greek and non-Greek women. Results We found an increase in low birth weight deliveries independent of maternal age and origin and an increased stillbirth rate in Greek women younger than 25 in early (RR = 1.42 95%CI: 1.12-1.80) and established crisis periods (RR = 1.36 95%CI: 1.07-1.72) compared with pre-crisis. Non-Greek women have also been affected, with their advantage regarding birth outcomes becoming less profound in the established crisis period (low birth weight: established crisis SRR = 0.84 95%CI: 0.82-0.87, pre-crisis SRR = 0.79 95% CI: 0.76- 0.81). Conclusions The financial crisis has possibly adversely affected perinatal factors in Greece. Our results highlight the need of appropriate public health interventions and family support policies, especially for younger people, unemployed and immigrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irini Zografaki
- Department of Child Health, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
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Petersen TG, Forthun I, Lange T, Villadsen SF, Nybo Andersen AM, Uldall P, Strandberg-Larsen K. Cerebral palsy among children of immigrants in Denmark and the role of socioeconomic status. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2019; 23:507-516. [PMID: 30777617 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children of immigrants in Denmark have excess risk for some of the most well-established risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP). OBJECTIVES To study differences in risk of CP between children of immigrants and children of Danish-born mothers, and explore whether socioeconomic status drives any potential association. METHODS A register-based cohort study including 1,274,616 children born in Denmark between 1981 and 2007. Of these, 2807 had a validated CP diagnosis in the Danish CP Register. We estimated the risk of CP as odds ratios (OR) using logistic regression and assessed mediation through socioeconomic status using natural effect models. RESULTS In children of Danish-born mothers, 2.2/1000 had CP overall and the prevalence was similar for children of immigrants. However, children of immigrants had lower risk of unilateral spastic CP than children of Danish native-born mothers; OR = 0.59 (95% CI:0.38-0.91) for Western and OR = 0.79 (95% CI:0.61-1.03) for Non-Western immigrants. By contrast, the risk of bilateral spastic CP was higher in children of Non-Western immigrants (OR = 1.27 (95% CI:1.05-1.53)), especially from Turkey and Pakistan compared with children of Danish native-born mothers. The mediation analysis revealed an indirect effect (through maternal educational level and household income) with an OR of 1.06 (95% CI:0.99-1.14) for children of Non-Western immigrants. CONCLUSIONS While children of immigrants had lower risk of unilateral spastic CP than children of Danish-born mothers, the risk of bilateral spastic CP was increased in children of Non-Western immigrants. Socioeconomic status did not appear to be a significant contributor to the increased risk of bilateral spastic CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Gram Petersen
- Department of Public Health at University of Copenhagen, Oesterfarimagsgade 5, Postboks 2099, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Ingeborg Forthun
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care at University of Bergen, Postboks 7804, N-5020 Bergen, Norway; Department of Pediatrics at Haukeland University Hospital, Post Office Box 1400, N-5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Theis Lange
- Department of Public Health at University of Copenhagen, Oesterfarimagsgade 5, Postboks 2099, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sarah Fredsted Villadsen
- Department of Public Health at University of Copenhagen, Oesterfarimagsgade 5, Postboks 2099, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen
- Department of Public Health at University of Copenhagen, Oesterfarimagsgade 5, Postboks 2099, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Uldall
- Department of Pediatrics at University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katrine Strandberg-Larsen
- Department of Public Health at University of Copenhagen, Oesterfarimagsgade 5, Postboks 2099, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Bozorgmehr K, Biddle L, Preussler S, Mueller A, Szecsenyi J. Differences in pregnancy outcomes and obstetric care between asylum seeking and resident women: a cross-sectional study in a German federal state, 2010-2016. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2018; 18:417. [PMID: 30355297 PMCID: PMC6201533 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-018-2053-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite large numbers of asylum seekers, there is a lack of evidence on pregnancy outcomes and obstetric care of asylum seeking women in Germany. Methods Cross-sectional study (2010–2016) using administrative data of the main referral hospital for pregnant asylum seekers of the reception center of a large federal state in South Germany. Inclusion criteria: women aged 12–50 years, admitted in relation to pregnancy, childbirth or post-partum complications. Outcomes: differences between asylum seekers and residents in the prevalence of high-risk pregnancy conditions, abortive outcomes/stillbirths, peri- and postnatal maternal complications, neonatal complications, and caesarean sections. Analysis: odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) obtained by single and multiple logistic regression analysis. Attributable fractions among the exposed (Afe) and among the total population (Afp) were calculated for selected outcomes. Results Of 19,864 women admitted in relation to pregnancy, childbirth or post-partum complications, 2.9% (n = 569) were asylum seekers. Adjusted odds for high-risk pregnancy conditions (OR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.63–0.91, p < 0.0001), caesarean sections (OR = 0.84, 95%CI 0.66–1.07, p = 0.17) and perinatal complications (OR = 0.65, 95%CI: 0.55–0.78, p < 0.0001) were lower; those for abortive outcomes/stillbirths (OR = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.11–2.20, p = 0.01) and postnatal complications (OR = 1.80, 95%CI: 0.93–3.19, p = 0.06) higher among asylum seeking women relative to residents in models adjusted for age, length of admission, and high-risk pregnancy conditions. The Afe for abortive outcomes and stillbirths among asylum seekers was 40.3% (95% CI, 16.3–56.5) and the Afp was 1.8%. The Afe for postnatal complications was 53.1% (95% CI, 7.1–74.0) and the Afp was 3.1%. Conclusion Asylum seeking women are at higher risk of abortive outcomes/stillbirths and show a tendency towards higher postnatal complications. This excess risk calls for adequate responses by health care providers and policy makers to improve outpatient postnatal care in reception centers and mitigate adverse birth outcomes among asylum seeking women. Although further research is needed, scaling-up midwivery care, improving outreach by maternity care teams, and routinely identifying and addressing mental illness by psychosocial services could be ways forward to improve outcomes in this population. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-018-2053-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayvan Bozorgmehr
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Marsilius Arkaden, INF 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Louise Biddle
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Marsilius Arkaden, INF 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stella Preussler
- Institute for Medical Biometry and Informatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Mueller
- Clinic of Gynaecology, Karlsruhe City Hospital, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Joachim Szecsenyi
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Marsilius Arkaden, INF 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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Villadsen SF, Negussie D, GebreMariam A, Tilahun A, Girma T, Friis H, Rasch V. Antenatal care strengthening for improved health behaviours in Jimma, Ethiopia, 2009-2011: An effectiveness study. Midwifery 2016; 40:87-94. [PMID: 27428103 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2016.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION health systems in low-income settings are not sufficiently reaching the poor, and global disparities in reproductive health persist. The frequency and quality of health education during antenatal care is often low. Further studies are needed on how to improve the performance of health systems in low income settings to improve maternal and child health. OBJECTIVES to assess the effectiveness of a participatory antenatal care intervention on health behaviours and to illuminate how the different socioeconomic groups responded to the intervention in Jimma, Ethiopia. SETTING, INTERVENTION AND MEASUREMENTS: an intervention was designed participatorily and comprised trainings, supervisions, equipment, health education material, and adaption of guidelines. It was implemented at public facilities. Household surveys, before (2008) and after (2010) intervention, were conducted amongst all women who had given birth within the previous 12 months. The effect of the intervention was assessed by comparing the change in health behaviours (number of antenatal visits, health facility delivery, breast feeding, preventive infant health check, and infant immunisation) from before to after the intervention period at intervention sites, relative to control sites, using logistic mixed effect regression. RESULTS on the basis of 1357 women included before and 2262 after the intervention, there were positive effects of the intervention on breast feeding practices (OR 3.0, 95% CI: 1.4; 3.6) and preventive infant health check (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5; 3.5). There was no effect on infant immunisation coverage and negative effect on number of antenatal visits. The effect on various outcomes was modified by maternal education, and results indicate increased health facility delivery (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 0.8; 6.9) and breast feeding practices (OR 18.2, 95% CI: 5.2;63.6) among women with no education. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE the facility based intervention improved some, but not all health behaviours. The improvements indicated amongst the most disadvantaged antenatal care attendants in breast feeding and health facility delivery are encouraging and underline the need to scale up priority of antenatal care in the effort to reduce maternal and child health inequity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Fredsted Villadsen
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sport, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 25, 1958 Frb. C, Denmark; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Oester Farimagsgade 5, Post box 2099, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
| | - Dereje Negussie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Post Box 480, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe GebreMariam
- Department of Population and Family Health, Jimma University, Post Box 480, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Abebech Tilahun
- JUCAN Research Collaboration, Jimma University, Post Box 480, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Tsinuel Girma
- Department of Paediatrics, Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Henrik Friis
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sport, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 25, 1958 Frb. C, Denmark
| | - Vibeke Rasch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Odense University Hospital, Soendre Boulevard 29, Odense, Denmark
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Gagnon AJ, Redden KL. Reproductive health research of women migrants to Western countries: A systematic review for refining the clinical lens. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2016; 32:3-14. [PMID: 26925856 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Influxes of migrant women of childbearing age to Western receiving countries have made their reproductive health a priority in those countries. Yet, providing optimal care to these women may be hampered by an inadequate volume or quality of research to inform practice. We reviewed reports of studies recently published to assess the extent to which current research is able to inform reproductive health care practices for migrant women (i.e., those born in countries other than the receiving country)--in so doing, we sought to offer a view of the landscape from which clinicians may interpret relevant publications. Additionally, we sought to identify topics for which clinicians may choose to advocate for additional research to be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita J Gagnon
- Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Kara L Redden
- Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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