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Papadopoulou E, Lim YC, Chin WY, Dwan K, Munabi-Babigumira S, Lewin S. Lay health workers in primary and community health care for maternal and child health: identification and treatment of wasting in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 8:CD015311. [PMID: 37646367 PMCID: PMC10467022 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the early 2010s, there has been a push to enhance the capacity to effectively treat wasting in children through community-based service delivery models and thus reduce morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of identification and treatment of moderate and severe wasting in children aged five years or under by lay health workers working in the community compared with health providers working in health facilities. SEARCH METHODS We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, two other databases, and two ongoing trials registers to 24 September 2021. We also screened the reference lists of related systematic reviews and all included studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies in children aged five years or under with moderate wasting (defined as weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) below -2 but no lower than ≥ -3, or mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) below 125 mm but no lower than 115 mm, and no nutritional oedema) or severe wasting (WHZ below -3 or MUAC below 115 mm or nutritional oedema). Eligible interventions were: • identification by lay health workers (LHWs) of children with wasting (intervention 1); • identification by LHWs of children with wasting and medical complications needing referral (intervention 2); and • identification by LHWs of children with wasting without medical complications needing referral (intervention 3). Eligible comparators were: • identification and treatment of wasting by health professionals such as nurses or doctors (at health facilities); and • identification and treatment of wasting by health facility-based teams, including health professionals and LHWs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently screened trials, extracted data and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB 2) and Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) guidelines. We used a random-effects model to meta-analyse data, producing risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes in trials with individual allocation, adjusted RRs for dichotomous outcomes in trials with cluster allocation (using the generic inverse variance method in Review Manager 5), and mean differences (MDs) for continuous outcomes. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS We included two RCTs and five non-RCTs. Six studies were from African countries, and one was from Pakistan. Six studies included children with severe wasting, and one included children with moderate wasting. All studies offered home-based ready-to-use therapeutic food treatment and monitoring. Children received antibiotics in three studies, vitamins or micronutrients in three studies, and deworming treatment in two studies. In three studies, the comparison arm involved LHWs screening children for malnutrition and referring them to health facilities for diagnosis and treatment. All the non-randomised studies had a high overall risk of bias. Interventions 1 and 2 Identification and referral for treatment by LHWs, compared with treatment by health professionals following self-referral, may result in little or no difference in the percentage of children who recover from moderate or severe wasting (MD 1.00%, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.53 to 4.53; 1 RCT, 29,475 households; low certainty). Intervention 3 Compared with treatment by health professionals following identification by LHWs, identification and treatment of severe wasting in children by LHWs: • may slightly reduce improvement from severe wasting (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.99; 1 RCT, 789 participants; low certainty); • may slightly increase non-response to treatment (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.01; 1 RCT, 789 participants; low certainty); • may result in little or no difference in the number of children with WHZ above -2 on discharge (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.28 to 3.18; 1 RCT, 789 participants; low certainty); • probably results in little or no difference in the number of children with WHZ between -3 and -2 on discharge (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.36; 1 RCT, 789 participants; moderate certainty); • probably results in little or no difference in the number of children with WHZ below -3 (severe wasting) on discharge (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.75 to 2.04; 1 RCT, 789 participants; moderate certainty); • probably results in little or no difference in the number of children with MUAC equal to or greater than 115 mm on discharge (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.06; 1 RCT, 789 participants; moderate certainty); • results in little or no difference in weight gain per day (mean weight gain 0.50 g/kg/day higher, 95% CI 1.74 lower to 2.74 higher; 1 RCT, 571 participants; high certainty); • probably has little or no effect on relapse of severe wasting (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.54; 1 RCT, 649 participants; moderate certainty); • may have little or no effect on mortality among children with severe wasting (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.04 to 5.98; 1 RCT, 829 participants; low certainty); • probably has little or no effect on the transfer of children with severe wasting to inpatient care (RR 3.71, 95% CI 0.36 to 38.23; 1 RCT, 829 participants; moderate certainty); and • probably has little or no effect on the default of children with severe wasting (RR 1.48, 95% CI 0.65 to 3.40; 1 RCT, 829 participants; moderate certainty). The evidence was very uncertain for total MUAC gain, MUAC gain per day, total weight gain, treatment coverage, and transfer to another LHW site or health facility. No studies examined sustained recovery, deterioration to severe wasting, appropriate identification of children with wasting or oedema, appropriate referral of children with moderate or severe wasting, adherence, or adverse effects and other harms. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Identification and treatment of severe wasting in children who do not require inpatient care by LHWs, compared with treatment by health professionals, may lead to similar or slightly poorer outcomes. We found only two RCTs, and the evidence from non-randomised studies was of very low certainty for all outcomes due to serious risks of bias and imprecision. No studies included children aged under 6 months. Future studies must address these methodological issues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Weng Yee Chin
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kerry Dwan
- The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Susan Munabi-Babigumira
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Simon Lewin
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Ålesund, Norway
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
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2
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Guterman NB, Bellamy JL, Banman A, Harty JS, Jaccard J, Mirque-Morales S. Engaging fathers to strengthen the impact of early home visitation on physical child abuse risk: Findings from the dads matter-HV randomized controlled trial. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 143:106315. [PMID: 37419071 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite growing recognition of the importance of fathers in child abuse risk, the field of perinatal home visitation has only begun to consider fathers' roles in the implementation of such services. OBJECTIVES This study examines the effectiveness of Dads Matter-HV ("DM-HV"), a father-inclusion enhancement to home visitation, and hypothesized mediators of impact. METHODS A multisite cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with 17 home visiting program teams serving 204 families across study conditions. Program supervisors and their teams were randomized to deliver home visiting services plus DM-HV enhanced services (intervention) or home visiting services alone (control). Data were collected at three time points: baseline, 4 months post-baseline immediately following the intervention, and 12 months post-baseline. We employed structural equation modeling to estimate the effect of the intervention on physical child abuse risk and to trace hypothesized mediators, including the quality of the father-worker relationship, parents' partner support and abuse, and the timing of service initiation. RESULTS Results indicated that the DM-HV enhancement improved home visitor relationships with fathers, but only for families receiving services initiated postnatally. For these families, the improved quality of the father-worker relationship predicted improved parents' support of one another and reduced bidirectional mother-father partner abuse at 4-month follow-up, which in turn lowered maternal physical child abuse risk and paternal physical child abuse risk at 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS DM-HV can strengthen the impact of home visitation services on physical child abuse risk for families when services are initiated postnatally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil B Guterman
- Silver School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10003, USA.
| | - Jennifer L Bellamy
- Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 South High Street, Denver, CO 80208, USA
| | - Aaron Banman
- Grace Abbott School of Social Work, University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182, USA
| | - Justin S Harty
- School of Social Work, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Arizona State University, 411 N Central Ave #750, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - James Jaccard
- Silver School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Sandra Mirque-Morales
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, 1747 Roosevelt Road, WROB Room 216, Chicago, IL, 60608, USA
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3
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Rotheram-Borus MJ, le Roux KW, Norwood P, Stansert Katzen L, Snyman A, le Roux I, Dippenaar E, Tomlinson M. The effect of supervision on community health workers' effectiveness with households in rural South Africa: A cluster randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004170. [PMID: 36862754 PMCID: PMC9980736 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community health workers (CHWs) can supplement professional medical providers, especially in rural settings where resources are particularly scarce. Yet, outcomes of studies evaluating CHWs effectiveness have been highly variable and lack impact when scaled nationally. This study examines if child and maternal outcomes are better when existing government CHWs, who are perinatal home visitors, receive ongoing enhanced supervision and monitoring, compared to standard care. METHODS AND FINDINGS A cluster randomized controlled effectiveness trial was conducted comparing outcomes over 2 years when different supervision and support are provided. Primary health clinics were randomized by clinic to receive monitoring and supervision from either (1) existing supervisors (Standard Care (SC); n = 4 clinics, 23 CHWs, 392 mothers); or (2) supervisors from a nongovernmental organization that provided enhanced monitoring and supervision (Accountable Care [AC]; n = 4 clinic areas, 20 CHWs, 423 mothers). Assessments were conducted during pregnancy and at 3, 6, 15, and 24 months post-birth with high retention rates (76% to 86%). The primary outcome was the number of statistically significant intervention effects among 13 outcomes of interest; this approach allowed us to evaluate the intervention holistically while accounting for correlation among the 13 outcomes and considering multiple comparisons. The observed benefits were not statistically significant and did not show the AC's efficacy over the SC. Only the antiretroviral (ARV) adherence effect met the significance threshold established a priori (SC mean 2.3, AC mean 2.9, p < 0.025; 95% CI = [0.157, 1.576]). However, for 11 of the 13 outcomes, we observed an improvement in the AC compared to the SC. While the observed outcomes were not statistically significant, benefits were observed for 4 outcomes: increasing breastfeeding for 6 months, reducing malnutrition, increasing ARV adherence, and improving developmental milestones. The major study limitation was utilizing existing CHWs and being limited to a sample of 8 clinics. There were no major study-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Supervision and monitoring were insufficient to improve CHWs' impact on maternal and child outcomes. Alternative strategies for staff recruitment and narrowing the intervention outcomes to the specific local community problems are needed for consistently high impact. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02957799.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus
- Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, University of CA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Karl W. le Roux
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Dept. of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
- Dept. of Family Medicine, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
- Primary Health Care Directorate, Old Main Building, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- Zithulele Training and Research Centre, Zithulele Hospital, Mqanduli District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
| | - Peter Norwood
- Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, University of CA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Linnea Stansert Katzen
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Dept. of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Andre Snyman
- Zithulele Training and Research Centre, Zithulele Hospital, Mqanduli District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
| | - Ingrid le Roux
- Philani Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition Trust, Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elaine Dippenaar
- Zithulele Training and Research Centre, Zithulele Hospital, Mqanduli District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
| | - Mark Tomlinson
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Dept. of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University, Belfast, United Kingdom
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Gupta M, Bansal A, Chakrapani V, Jaiswal N, Kiran T. The effectiveness of prenatal and postnatal home visits by paramedical professionals and women's group meetings in improving maternal and child health outcomes in low and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Public Health 2023; 215:106-117. [PMID: 36682079 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.11.023] [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: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of prenatal and postnatal home visits (HVs) and women group meetings (WGMs) by paramedical professionals to improve maternal and child health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). STUDY DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of trials published till December 2020, as per registered protocol in The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42018091968). Outcomes were neonatal mortality rate (NMR), maternal mortality ratio (MMR), the incidence of low birth weight, and still birth rate (SBR). The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) were searched. Pooled results were estimated using random-effects meta-analysis in RevMan version 5.2. RESULTS Twenty-five trials met the inclusion criteria. HVs were the key intervention in 12, WGMs in 11, and both interventions in 2 trials. The pooled estimates have shown that NMR was significantly reduced by HVs (OR 0.77, confidence interval [CI]: 0.67-0.90, P = 0.0007, I2 = 77%) and WGMs (OR 0.76, CI: 0.65-0.90, P = 0.001, I2 = 71%). SBR was significantly reduced by HVs (OR 0.77, CI: 0.70-0.85; P < 0.001, I2 = 0%). Subgroup analysis of studies in which more than 10% of pregnant women participated in the WGMs showed significant reduction in NMR (OR 0.67, CI 0.58-0.77, P = 0.00001, I2 = 31%) and MMR (OR 0.55, CI 0.36-0.84, P = 0.005, I2 = 27%). Two studies reported improvement in birth weight by HVs. CONCLUSIONS HVs and WGMs (with >10% pregnant women) by paramedical professionals are effective strategies in reducing the NMR and MMR in LMICs. HVs were also effective in reducing SBR.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gupta
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
| | - A Bansal
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - V Chakrapani
- Centre for Sexuality and Health Research and Policy (C-SHaRP), Chennai, India
| | - N Jaiswal
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - T Kiran
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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5
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Miller JD, Collins SM, Boateng GO, Widen E, Natamba B, Achoko W, Achidri D, Young SL, Martin SL. Pathways linking social support, self-efficacy, and exclusive breastfeeding among women in northern Uganda. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:3506-3518. [PMID: 35960598 PMCID: PMC9898077 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2022.2110918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite improvements in infant feeding practices over the past two decades, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is below global targets. Social support can create an enabling environment for recommended infant feeding practices such as EBF, but the types of social support most important for sustained EBF and their potential mechanisms of action have not been thoroughly characterized. We therefore aimed to assess the relationship between EBF-specific social support, EBF self-efficacy, and EBF at 1 and 3 months among postpartum women in northern Uganda. Women (n = 238, 36.2% living with HIV) were recruited during pregnancy. EBF, social support, and EBF self-efficacy were assessed at 1 and 3 months postpartum. Path analysis was used to assess relationships between these factors. Most mothers exclusively breastfed to 1 (80.8%) and 3 months postpartum (62.9%). EBF-specific, but not general, social support differed by EBF status. EBF-specific social support was associated with higher odds of EBF, which was almost fully mediated by EBF self-efficacy. That is, there was evidence that social support primarily influences EBF through its association with self-efficacy. In sum, EBF-specific social support and self-efficacy likely promote EBF and are modifiable factors that can be intervened upon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Miller
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, US
| | - Shalean M. Collins
- Department of International Health and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Lousiana, US
| | - Godfred O. Boateng
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, Canada
- Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Widen
- Department of Nutritional Sciences & Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, US
| | - Barnabas Natamba
- Non-Communicable Diseases Theme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | | | - Sera L. Young
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, US
- Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, US
| | - Stephanie L. Martin
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, US
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, US
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6
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Mahumud RA, Uprety S, Wali N, Renzaho AMN, Chitekwe S. The effectiveness of interventions on nutrition social behaviour change communication in improving child nutritional status within the first 1000 days: Evidence from a systematic review and meta‐analysis. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2022; 18:e13286. [PMID: 34842341 PMCID: PMC8710127 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rashidul A. Mahumud
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, School of Medicine and Health The University of Sydney Camperdown New South Wales Australia
- Centre for Health Research University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba Queensland Australia
- Department of Statistics Health Research Group Rajshahi Bangladesh
| | - Sophiya Uprety
- Former UNICEF Consultant and Public Health Nutritionist Kathmandu Nepal
| | - Nidhi Wali
- School of Social Sciences Western Sydney University Penrith New South Wales Australia
| | - Andre M. N. Renzaho
- Translational Health Research Institute School of Medicine Campbelltown New South Wales Australia
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program Burnet Institute Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Stanley Chitekwe
- Nutrition Section United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Kathmandu Nepal
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Helova A, Onono M, Abuogi LL, Hampanda K, Owuor K, Odwar T, Krishna S, Odhiambo G, Odeny T, Turan JM. Experiences, perceptions and potential impact of community-based mentor mothers supporting pregnant and postpartum women with HIV in Kenya: a mixed-methods study. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25843. [PMID: 34797955 PMCID: PMC8604379 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Community‐based mentor mothers (cMMs) are women living with HIV who provide peer support to pregnant/postpartum women living with HIV (PWLWH) to enhance antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, retention in care and prevent perinatal transmission of HIV. The goal of this study was to explore the experiences, perceptions, mechanisms and health impact of cMMs on PWLWH in Kenya from the perspective of cMMs. Methods We conducted a prospective mixed‐methods study in southwestern Kenya in 2015–2018. In the qualitative phase, we completed in‐depth interviews with cMMs to explore their perceptions and experiences in supporting PWLWH. Transcripts were broad‐coded according to identified themes, then fine‐coded using an inductive approach. In the quantitative phase, we analysed medical record data from PWLWH who were randomized in the cMM intervention to examine the impact of cMM visits on optimal prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission (PMTCT). We used cluster‐adjusted generalized estimating equation models to examine relationships with a composite outcome (facility delivery, infant HIV testing, ART adherence and undetectable viral load at 6 weeks postpartum). Finally, qualitative and quantitative results were integrated. Results Convergence of findings from cMM interviews (n = 24) and PWLWH medical data (n = 589) revealed: (1) The cMM intervention was utilized and perceived as acceptable. PWLWH received, on average, 6.2 of 8 intended home visits through 6 weeks postpartum. (2) The cMMs reported serving as role models and confidantes, supporting PWLWH's acceptance of their HIV status, providing assurances about PMTCT and assisting with male partner disclosure and communication. cMMs also described benefits for themselves, including empowerment and increased income. (3) The cMM visits supported PWLWH's completion of PMTCT steps. Having ≥4 cMM home visits up to 6 weeks postpartum, as compared to <4 visits, was associated with higher likelihood of an optimal PMTCT composite outcome (adjusted relative risk 1.42, p = 0.044). Conclusions We found that peer support from cMMs during pregnancy through 6 weeks postpartum was associated with improved uptake of critical PMTCT services and health behaviours and was perceived as beneficial for cMMs themselves. CMM support of PWLWH may be valuable for other low‐resource settings to improve engagement with lifelong ART and HIV services among PWLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Helova
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy and Sparkman Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Maricianah Onono
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lisa L Abuogi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Karen Hampanda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kevin Owuor
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Tobias Odwar
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sandhya Krishna
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy and Sparkman Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Gladys Odhiambo
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Thomas Odeny
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Janet M Turan
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy and Sparkman Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Laurenzi CA, Skeen S, Rabie S, Coetzee BJ, Notholi V, Bishop J, Chademana E, Tomlinson M. Balancing roles and blurring boundaries: Community health workers' experiences of navigating the crossroads between personal and professional life in rural South Africa. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2021; 29:1249-1259. [PMID: 32885519 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As demand for health services grows, task-shifting to lay health workers has become an attractive solution to address shortages in human resources. Community health workers (CHWs), particularly in low-resource settings, play critical roles in promoting equitable healthcare among underserved populations. However, CHWs often shoulder additional burdens as members of the same communities in which they work. We examined the experiences of a group of CHWs called Mentor Mothers (MMs) working in a maternal and child health programme, navigating the crossroads between personal and professional life in the rural Eastern Cape, South Africa. Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 10) were conducted by an experienced isiXhosa research assistant, asking MMs questions about their experiences working in their own communities, and documenting benefits and challenges. Interviews were transcribed and translated into English and thematically coded. Emergent themes include balancing roles (positive, affirming aspects of the role) and blurring boundaries (challenges navigating between professional and personal obligations). While many MMs described empowering clients to seek care and drawing strength from being seen as a respected health worker, others spoke about difficulties in adequately addressing clients' needs, and additional burdens they adopted in their personal lives related to the role. We discuss the implications of these findings, on an immediate level (equipping CHWs with self-care and boundary-setting skills), and an intermediate level (introducing opportunities for structured debriefings and emphasising supportive supervision). We also argue that, at a conceptual level, CHW programmes should provide avenues for professionalisation and invest more up-front in their workforce selection, training and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina A Laurenzi
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Sarah Skeen
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Stephan Rabie
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Bronwynè J Coetzee
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Vuyolwethu Notholi
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | | | | - Mark Tomlinson
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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Impact of maternal mental health interventions on child-related outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2020; 29:e174. [PMID: 33070789 PMCID: PMC7681164 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796020000864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Observational studies have shown a relationship between maternal mental health (MMH) and child development, but few studies have evaluated whether MMH interventions improve child-related outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this review is to synthesise findings on the effectiveness of MMH interventions to improve child-related outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS We searched for randomised controlled trials conducted in LMICs evaluating interventions with a MMH component and reporting children's outcomes. Meta-analysis was performed on outcomes included in at least two trials. RESULTS We identified 21 trials with 28 284 mother-child dyads. Most trials were conducted in middle-income countries, evaluating home visiting interventions delivered by general health workers, starting in the third trimester of pregnancy. Only ten trials described acceptable methods for blinding outcome assessors. Four trials showed high risk of bias in at least two of the seven domains assessed in this review. Narrative synthesis showed promising but inconclusive findings for child-related outcomes. Meta-analysis identified a sizeable impact of interventions on exclusive breastfeeding (risk ratio = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.71, ten trials, N = 4749 mother-child dyads, I2 = 61%) and a small effect on child height-for-age at 6-months (std. mean difference = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.02-0.24, three trials, N = 1388, I2 = 0%). Meta-analyses did not identify intervention benefits for child cognitive and other growth outcomes; however, few trials measured these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the importance of MMH to improve child-related outcomes in LMICs, particularly exclusive breastfeeding. Given, the small number of trials and methodological limitations, more rigorous trials should be conducted.
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Rossouw L, Burger RP, Burger R. An Incentive-Based and Community Health Worker Package Intervention to Improve Early Utilization of Antenatal Care: Evidence from a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial. Matern Child Health J 2019; 23:633-640. [PMID: 30600521 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-018-2677-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objectives One of the factors linked to South Africa's relatively high maternal mortality ratio is late utilization of antenatal care (ANC). Early utilization is especially important in South Africa due to the high HIV prevalence amongst pregnant women. This study examined the impact of a package intervention, consisting of an incentive called the Thula Baba Box (TBB) and a community health worker (CHW) programme, on early utilization of ANC. Methods A pilot randomised controlled trial consisting of 72 women aged 18 and older was conducted in an urban area in South Africa to evaluate the impact of the package intervention. Women were recruited and randomised into either intervention (n = 39) or control group (n = 33). The intervention group received both the TBB and monthly CHW visits, while the control group followed standard clinical practice. Both groups were interviewed at recruitment and once again after giving birth. The outcomes measured are the timing of first ANC visit and whether they attended more than four times. It is anticipated that the box will also have a beneficial impact on infant health outcomes, but these fall out of the scope of this study. Results Women in the intervention groups sought care on average 1.35 months earlier than the control group. They were also significantly more likely to attend at least four antenatal clinic visits. Conclusions for practice Given the South African context and the importance of early care-seeking behaviour to improve health outcomes of HIV-positive pregnant women, the intervention can help to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Further research is needed to investigate the impact of the two interventions separately, and to see if these findings hold in other communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rossouw
- Economics Department, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa.
| | - Rulof Petrus Burger
- Economics Department, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Ronelle Burger
- Economics Department, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
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Schmitz K, Basera TJ, Egbujie B, Mistri P, Naidoo N, Mapanga W, Goudge J, Mbule M, Burtt F, Scheepers E, Igumbor J. Impact of lay health worker programmes on the health outcomes of mother-child pairs of HIV exposed children in Africa: A scoping review. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211439. [PMID: 30703152 PMCID: PMC6355001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Increased demand for healthcare services in countries experiencing high HIV disease burden and often coupled with a shortage of health workers, has necessitated task shifting from professional health workers to Lay Health Workers (LHWs) in order to improve healthcare delivery. Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services particularly benefit from task-shifting to LHWs or similar cadres. However, evidence on the roles and usefulness of LHWs in MCH service delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is not fully known. Objectives To examine evidence of the roles and impact of lay health worker programmes focusing on Women Living with HIV (WLH) and their HIV-exposed infants (HEIs). Methods A scoping review approach based on Arksey and O’Malley’s guiding principles was used to retrieve, review and analyse existing literature. We searched for articles published between January 2008 and July 2018 in seven (7) databases, including: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Joanna Briggs, The Cochrane Library, EBM reviews and Web of Science. The critical constructs used for the literature search were “lay health worker”, “community health worker”, “peer mentor”, “mentor mother,” “Maternal and Child health worker”, “HIV positive mothers”, “HIV exposed infants” and PMTCT. Results Thirty-three (33) full-text articles meeting the eligibility criteria were identified and included in the final analysis. Most (n = 13, 39.4%) of the included studies were conducted in South Africa and used a cluster RCT design (n = 13, 39.4%). The most commonly performed roles of LHWs in HIV specific MCH programmes included: community engagement and sensitisation, psychosocial support, linkage to care, encouraging women to bring their infants back for HIV testing and supporting default tracing. Community awareness on Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (MTCT), proper and consistent use of condoms, clinic attendance and timely HIV testing of HEIs, as well as retention in care for infected persons, have all improved because of LHW programmes. Conclusion LHWs play significant roles in the management of WLH and their HEIs, improving MCH outcomes in the process. LHW interventions are beneficial in increasing access to PMTCT services and reducing MTCT of HIV, though their impact on improving adherence to ART remains scanty. Further research is needed to evaluate ART adherence in LHW interventions targeted at WLH. LHW programmes can be enhanced by increasing supportive supervision and remuneration of LHWs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tariro Jayson Basera
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Bonaventure Egbujie
- School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Preethi Mistri
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nireshni Naidoo
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Witness Mapanga
- Center for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jane Goudge
- Center for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Jude Igumbor
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Chingono R, Mebrahtu H, Mupambireyi Z, Simms V, Weiss HA, Ndlovu P, Charasika F, Tomlinson M, Cluver L, Cowan FM, Sherr L. Evaluating the effectiveness of a multi-component intervention on early childhood development in paediatric HIV care and treatment programmes: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Pediatr 2018; 18:222. [PMID: 29986688 PMCID: PMC6038232 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-018-1201-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV infection in a family may affect optimum child development. Our hypothesis is that child development outcomes among HIV-exposed infants will be improved through a complex early childhood stimulation (ECS) programme, and income and loans saving programme for HIV positive parents. METHODS The study was a cluster-randomized controlled trial in 30 clinic sites in two districts in Zimbabwe. Clinics were randomised in a 1:1 allocation ratio to the Child Health Intervention for Development Outcomes (CHIDO) intervention or Ministry of Health standard care. The CHIDO intervention comprises three elements: a group ECS parenting programme, an internal savings and lending scheme (ISALS) and case-management home visits by village health workers. The intervention was aimed at caregiver-child dyads (child aged 0-24 months) where the infant was HIV exposed or infected. The primary outcomes were cognitive development (assessed by the Mullen Scales of Early Learning) and retention of the child in HIV care, at 12 months after enrolment. A comprehensive process evaluation was conducted. DISCUSSION The results of this cluster-randomised trial will provide important information regarding the effects of multi-component interventions in mitigating developmental delays in HIV-exposed infants living in resource-limited environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial is registered with the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry ( www.pactr.org ), registration number PACTR201701001387209; the trial was registered on 16th January 2017 (retrospectively registered).
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Chingono
- Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - H. Mebrahtu
- Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Z. Mupambireyi
- Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - V. Simms
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - H. A. Weiss
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - P. Ndlovu
- World Education Inc./Bantwana (WEI/B), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - F. Charasika
- World Education Inc./Bantwana (WEI/B), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - M. Tomlinson
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - L.D. Cluver
- University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - F. M. Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - L. Sherr
- Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
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Tomlinson M, Hunt X, Rotheram-Borus MJ. Diffusing and scaling evidence-based interventions: eight lessons for early child development from the implementation of perinatal home visiting in South Africa. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1419:218-229. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Tomlinson
- Department of Psychology; Stellenbosch University; Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Xanthe Hunt
- Department of Psychology; Stellenbosch University; Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus
- Semel Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences; University of California Los Angeles; Los Angeles California
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Guterman NB, Bellamy JL, Banman A. Promoting father involvement in early home visiting services for vulnerable families: Findings from a pilot study of "Dads matter". CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2018; 76:261-272. [PMID: 29169043 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite mounting evidence on the importance of fathers in children's development, evidence-based perinatal home visitation programs have largely overlooked fathers in the design and delivery of services. This paper describes the design, development, and pilot testing of the "Dads Matter" enhancement to standard home visiting services. Dads Matter is a manualized intervention package designed to fully incorporate fathers into perinatal home visiting services. Twenty-four families were enrolled in a pilot study to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of the intervention. Using a quasi-experimental time-lagged design, 12 families received standard home visiting services and completed baseline and four-month post-tests. Home visitor staff were then trained and supervised to implement the Dads Matter enhancement in addition to standard services. Twelve additional families were then enrolled and completed baseline and four-month post-tests. Implementation data indicated that Dads Matter was implemented as planned. Cohen's d scores on outcome measures indicate positive trends associated with Dads Matter in the quality of the mother-father relationship, perceived stress reported by both parents, fathers' involvement with the child, maltreatment indicators, and fathers' verbalizations toward the infant. Effect sizes generally ranged from moderate to large in magnitude and were larger than overall effect sizes of home visitation services alone reported in prior meta-analyses. Dads Matter appears to be a feasible, acceptable, and promising approach to improving fathers' engagement in home visiting services and promoting family and child well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil B Guterman
- University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration, United States.
| | | | - Aaron Banman
- University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration, United States.
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Tomlinson M, Jordans M, MacMillan H, Betancourt T, Hunt X, Mikton C. Research priority setting for integrated early child development and violence prevention (ECD+) in low and middle income countries: An expert opinion exercise. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2017; 72:131-139. [PMID: 28802211 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Child development in low and middle income countries (LMIC) is compromised by multiple risk factors. Reducing children's exposure to harmful events is essential for early childhood development (ECD). In particular, preventing violence against children - a highly prevalent risk factor that negatively affects optimal child development - should be an intervention priority. We used the Child Health and Nutrition Initiative (CHNRI) method for the setting of research priorities in integrated Early Childhood Development and violence prevention programs (ECD+). An expert group was identified and invited to systematically list and score research questions. A total of 186 stakeholders were asked to contribute five research questions each, and contributions were received from 81 respondents. These were subsequently evaluated using a set of five criteria: answerability; effectiveness; feasibility and/or affordability; applicability and impact; and equity. Of the 400 questions generated, a composite group of 50 were scored by 55 respondents. The highest scoring research questions related to the training of Community Health Workers (CHW's) to deliver ECD+ interventions effectively and whether ECD+ interventions could be integrated within existing delivery platforms such as HIV, nutrition or mental health platforms. The priority research questions can direct new research initiatives, mainly in focusing on the effectiveness of an ECD+ approach, as well as on service delivery questions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic exercise of its kind in the field of ECD+. The findings from this research priority setting exercise can help guide donors and other development actors towards funding priorities for important future research related to ECD and violence prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark Jordans
- War Child Holland, Netherlands & King's College London, UK
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Rotheram-Fuller E, Swendeman D, Becker K, Daleiden E, Chorpita B, Youssef MK, Rotheram-Borus MJ. Adapting Current Strategies to Implement Evidence-Based Prevention Programs for Paraprofessional Home Visiting. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2017; 18:590-599. [PMID: 28451922 PMCID: PMC6474251 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-017-0787-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes a strategy for using evidence-based interventions (EBI) that does not require replication and fidelity. Eight parents, identified as positive role models, conducted home visits for 101 low-income Latina and Korean pregnant women. The home visitors, called mentor mothers (MM), were trained in 10 of the practice elements common to 80% of child-focused EBI and how to apply these skills to support mothers in obesity prevention, to increase the duration of breastfeeding, and to reduce depression. MM reported the content and skills utilized on each home visit on mobile phones. Each MM made an average of 153 home visits (SD = 173.3), with 28 of these visits being phone contacts. Body mass index (BMI) at 6 months was significantly associated with the frequency of MM focused on coping with depression (r = .24), but was not related to practice elements used by MM. The duration of breastfeeding was significantly related to the frequency with which MM focused on the topic of breastfeeding (r = .28) and parenting (r = .3), and MM use of attending (r = .24) and relaxation (r = .27). Depression was significantly correlated with the frequency of addressing depression (r = .27), but not to practice elements. MM did use different strategies in the first 150 visits compared to their last 150 visits, reflecting data-informed supervision. Evidence synthesized from EBI was used as a novel training method, with real-time monitoring and data-informed supervision providing evidence of iterative quality improvements in MM behaviors over time, as well as a way for linking implementation processes to outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Rotheram-Fuller
- Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University, PO Box 871811, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Dallas Swendeman
- University of California at Los Angeles, 10920 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Kim Becker
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, 737 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Eric Daleiden
- PracticeWise, LLC, 340 Lee Ave, Satellite Beach, FL, 32937, USA
| | - Bruce Chorpita
- University of California at Los Angeles, 3227 Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Maryann Koussa Youssef
- University of California at Los Angeles, 10920 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus
- University of California at Los Angeles, 10920 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.
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Tsai AC, Tomlinson M, Comulada WS, Rotheram-Borus MJ. Food insufficiency, depression, and the modifying role of social support: Evidence from a population-based, prospective cohort of pregnant women in peri-urban South Africa. Soc Sci Med 2016; 151:69-77. [PMID: 26773296 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Food insecurity has emerged as an important, and potentially modifiable, risk factor for depression. Few studies have brought longitudinal data to bear on investigating this association in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE To estimate the association between food insufficiency and depression symptom severity, and to determine the extent to which any observed associations were modified by social support. METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a secondary analysis of population-based, longitudinal data collected from 1238 pregnant women during a three-year cluster-randomized trial of a home visiting intervention in Cape Town, South Africa. Surveys were conducted at baseline, 6 months, 18 months, and 36 months (85% retention). A validated, single-item food insufficiency measure inquired about the number of days of hunger in the past week. Depression symptom severity was measured using the Xhosa version of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. In multivariable regression models with cluster-correlated robust estimates of variance, lagged food insufficiency had a strong and statistically significant association with depression symptom severity (β = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.46-0.94), suggesting a 6.5% relative difference in depression symptom severity per day of hunger. In stratified analyses, food insufficiency had a statistically significant association with depression only among women with low levels of instrumental support. Using quantile regression, we found that the adverse impacts of food insufficiency were experienced to a greater degree by women in the upper end of the conditional distribution of depression symptom severity. Estimates from fixed-effects regression models and fixed-effects quantile regression models, accounting for unobserved confounding by time-invariant characteristics, were similar. CONCLUSIONS Food insufficiency was associated with depression symptom severity, particularly for women in the upper end of the conditional depression distribution. Instrumental social support buffered women against the adverse impacts of food insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Tsai
- Massachusetts General Hospital, MGH Global Health, Boston, USA; Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Cambridge, USA; Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
| | | | - W Scott Comulada
- Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus
- Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
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Tsai AC, Tomlinson M, Comulada WS, Rotheram-Borus MJ. Intimate Partner Violence and Depression Symptom Severity among South African Women during Pregnancy and Postpartum: Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study. PLoS Med 2016; 13:e1001943. [PMID: 26784110 PMCID: PMC4718639 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Violence against women by intimate partners remains unacceptably common worldwide. The evidence base for the assumed psychological impacts of intimate partner violence (IPV) is derived primarily from studies conducted in high-income countries. A recently published systematic review identified 13 studies linking IPV to incident depression, none of which were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. To address this gap in the literature, we analyzed longitudinal data collected during the course of a 3-y cluster-randomized trial with the aim of estimating the association between IPV and depression symptom severity. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a secondary analysis of population-based, longitudinal data collected from 1,238 pregnant women during a 3-y cluster-randomized trial of a home visiting intervention in Cape Town, South Africa. Surveys were conducted at baseline, 6 mo, 18 mo, and 36 mo (85% retention). The primary explanatory variable of interest was exposure to four types of physical IPV in the past year. Depression symptom severity was measured using the Xhosa version of the ten-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. In a pooled cross-sectional multivariable regression model adjusting for potentially confounding time-fixed and time-varying covariates, lagged IPV intensity had a statistically significant association with depression symptom severity (regression coefficient b = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.61-1.47), with estimates from a quantile regression model showing greater adverse impacts at the upper end of the conditional depression distribution. Fitting a fixed effects regression model accounting for all time-invariant confounding (e.g., history of childhood sexual abuse) yielded similar findings (b = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.13-1.96). The magnitudes of the coefficients indicated that a one-standard-deviation increase in IPV intensity was associated with a 12.3% relative increase in depression symptom severity over the same time period. The most important limitations of our study include exposure assessment that lacked measurement of sexual violence, which could have caused us to underestimate the severity of exposure; the extended latency period in the lagged analysis, which could have caused us to underestimate the strength of the association; and outcome assessment that was limited to the use of a screening instrument for depression symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS In this secondary analysis of data from a population-based, 3-y cluster-randomized controlled trial, IPV had a statistically significant association with depression symptom severity. The estimated associations were relatively large in magnitude, consistent with findings from high-income countries, and robust to potential confounding by time-invariant factors. Intensive health sector responses to reduce IPV and improve women's mental health should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C. Tsai
- Massachusetts General Hospital, MGH Global Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- * E-mail:
| | | | - W. Scott Comulada
- Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus
- Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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Mbuagbaw L, Medley N, Darzi AJ, Richardson M, Habiba Garga K, Ongolo‐Zogo P. Health system and community level interventions for improving antenatal care coverage and health outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; 2015:CD010994. [PMID: 26621223 PMCID: PMC4676908 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010994.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least four antenatal care (ANC) visits for all pregnant women. Almost half of pregnant women worldwide, and especially in developing countries do not receive this amount of care. Poor attendance of ANC is associated with delivery of low birthweight babies and more neonatal deaths. ANC may include education on nutrition, potential problems with pregnancy or childbirth, child care and prevention or detection of disease during pregnancy.This review focused on community-based interventions and health systems-related interventions. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of health system and community interventions for improving coverage of antenatal care and other perinatal health outcomes. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (7 June 2015) and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-randomised trials and cluster-randomised trials. Trials of any interventions to improve ANC coverage were eligible for inclusion. Trials were also eligible if they targeted specific and related outcomes, such as maternal or perinatal death, but also reported ANC coverage. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. MAIN RESULTS We included 34 trials involving approximately 400,000 women. Some trials tested community-based interventions to improve uptake of antenatal care (media campaigns, education or financial incentives for pregnant women), while other trials looked at health systems interventions (home visits for pregnant women or equipment for clinics). Most trials took place in low- and middle-income countries, and 29 of the 34 trials used a cluster-randomised design. We assessed 30 of the 34 trials as of low or unclear overall risk of bias. Comparison 1: One intervention versus no interventionWe found marginal improvements in ANC coverage of at least four visits (average odds ratio (OR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 to 1.22; participants = 45,022; studies = 10; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.01; I² = 52%; high quality evidence). Sensitivity analysis with a more conservative intra-cluster correlation co-efficient (ICC) gave similar marginal results. Excluding one study at high risk of bias shifted the marginal pooled estimate towards no effect. There was no effect on pregnancy-related deaths (average OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.08; participants = 114,930; studies = 10; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.00; I² = 0%; low quality evidence), perinatal mortality (average OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.07; studies = 15; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.01; I² = 58%; moderate quality evidence) or low birthweight (average OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.06; studies = five; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.00; I² = 5%; high quality evidence). Single interventions led to marginal improvements in the number of women who delivered in health facilities (average OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.15; studies = 10; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.00; I² = 0%; high quality evidence), and in the proportion of women who had at least one ANC visit (average OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.79; studies = six; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.24; I² = 76%; moderate quality evidence). Results for ANC coverage (at least four and at least one visit) and for perinatal mortality had substantial statistical heterogeneity. Single interventions did not improve the proportion of women receiving tetanus protection (average OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.15; studies = 8; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.01; I² = 57%). No study reported onintermittent prophylactic treatment for malaria. Comparison 2: Two or more interventions versus no interventionWe found no improvements in ANC coverage of four or more visits (average OR 1.48, 95% CI 0.99 to 2.21; participants = 7840; studies = six; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.10; I² = 48%; low quality evidence) or pregnancy-related deaths (average OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.26; participants = 13,756; studies = three; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.00; I² = 0%; moderate quality evidence). However, combined interventions led to improvements in ANC coverage of at least one visit (average OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.47 to 2.17; studies = five; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.00; I² = 0%; moderate quality evidence), perinatal mortality (average OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.95; studies = five; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.06; I² = 83%; moderate quality evidence) and low birthweight (average OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.80; studies = two; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.00; I² = 0%; moderate quality evidence). Meta-analyses for both ANC coverage four or more visits and perinatal mortality had substantial statistical heterogeneity. Combined interventions improved the proportion of women who had tetanus protection (average OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.87; studies = 3; Heterogeneity: Tau² = 0.01; I² = 33%). No trial in this comparison reported on intermittent prophylactic treatment for malaria. Comparison 3: Two interventions compared head to head. No trials found. Comparison 4: One intervention versus a combination of interventionsThere was no difference in ANC coverage (four or more visits and at least one visit), pregnancy-related deaths, deliveries in a health facility or perinatal mortality. No trials in this comparison reported on low birthweight orintermittent prophylactic treatment of malaria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Implications for practice - Single interventions may improve ANC coverage (at least one visit and four or more visits) and deliveries in health facilities. Combined interventions may improve ANC coverage (at least one visit), reduce perinatal mortality and reduce the occurrence of low birthweight. The effects of the interventions are unrelated to whether they are community or health system interventions. Implications for research - More details should be provided in reporting numbers of events, group totals and the ICCs used to adjust for cluster effects. Outcomes should be reported uniformly so that they are comparable to commonly-used population indicators. We recommend further cluster-RCTs of pregnant women and women in their reproductive years, using combinations of interventions and looking at outcomes that are important to pregnant women, such as maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, alongside the explanatory outcomes along the pathway of care: ANC coverage, the services provided during ANC and deliveries in health facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Mbuagbaw
- Yaoundé Central HospitalCentre for the Development of Best Practices in Health (CDBPH)Henri Dunant AvenuePO Box 87YaoundéCameroon
- South African Medical Research CouncilSouth African Cochrane CentreTygerbergSouth Africa
| | - Nancy Medley
- The University of LiverpoolCochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group, Department of Women's and Children's HealthFirst Floor, Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation TrustCrown StreetLiverpoolUKL8 7SS
| | - Andrea J Darzi
- Clinical Research Institute (American University of Beirut Medical Center)Clinical Epidemiological UnitGefinor 4th FloorHamraBeirutLebanon
| | - Marty Richardson
- Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineCochrane Infectious Diseases GroupPembroke PlaceLiverpoolUKL3 5QA
| | - Kesso Habiba Garga
- Yaoundé Central HospitalCentre for the Development of Best Practices in Health (CDBPH)Henri Dunant AvenuePO Box 87YaoundéCameroon
| | - Pierre Ongolo‐Zogo
- Yaoundé Central HospitalCentre for the Development of Best Practices in Health (CDBPH)Henri Dunant AvenuePO Box 87YaoundéCameroon
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