Association of the First 1,000 Days Systems-Change Intervention on Maternal Gestational Weight Gain

Patient navigation in women's health care for maternal health and noncancerous gynecologic conditions: a scoping review

PURPOSE

This study investigated the scope of patient navigation studies on women's health care for maternal health and noncancerous gynecologic conditions and aimed to report the characteristics of the identified patient navigation programs.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Five electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published in English: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and PsycInfo. There were no restrictions on the publication date and the search was completed in July 2023.

RESULTS

This scoping review included 14 studies, which collectively examined seven patient navigation programs. All selected studies were related to maternal health issues (e.g., perinatal health problems and contraception for birth spacing). Close to two-thirds of the patient navigation services were provided by women (n=9, 64.3%) and half by lay navigators (n=7, 50.0%). The majority incorporated the use of mobile health technologies (n=11, 78.6%). All of the patient navigation programs included in the review coordinated the necessary clinical and social support services to improve women's access to care.

CONCLUSION

Patient navigation appears to be in its nascent phase in the field of maternal health. The results of this study suggest that the implementation of patient navigation services could potentially improve access to care for socially disadvantaged women and families. Furthermore, providing patient navigation services that are specifically tailored to meet women's needs could improve the quality of maternity care.

Helping Us Grow Stronger (HUGS)/Abrazos: a community-based initiative improved perinatal mental health in an urban cohort

BACKGROUND

Targeted programs aimed at improving maternal mental health, particularly among those exposed to social determinants of health, are increasingly critical since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the impact of such programs is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a novel, language-concordant community-based program on perinatal mental health.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a prospective cohort study of peripartum individuals referred to a new community-based intervention known as Helping Us Grow Stronger (HUGS/Abrazos). Participants received up to 4 remote sessions with a cognitive behavioral therapy trained social worker, up to 3 resource navigation sessions with a community health worker, and direct relief with a grocery gift card and care package. Before and after the program, participants completed validated survey instruments to assess mental health and social determinants of health.

RESULTS

A total of 178 participants were assessed after program completion, including 133 who were assessed before and after the program. The cohort was composed of 62.9% Hispanic or Latinx participants with a mean age of 29.8 year (standard error of mean, 0.46). There were high rates of food insecurity (111/178; 62.4%), experiences of discrimination (119/178; 66.9%), and SARS-CoV-2 infection (105/178; 59.0%). The program was associated with statistically significant improvements in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scores (baseline [mean±standard error of mean], 8.44±0.55 vs 6.77±0.51 after program completion; P=.0001) and Perceived Stress Scale scores (baseline, 15.2±0.74 vs 14.0±0.71; P=.035). Participants exposed to stressors including food insecurity and experiences of discrimination had higher baseline depression, stress, and anxiety scores. Those with experiences of discrimination, food insecurity, and SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy were more likely to have improvements in mental health scores postintervention.

CONCLUSION

In this diverse urban cohort, a novel community-based intervention was associated with improvements in depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and anxiety, particularly among those with social determinants of health.

A realist synthesis to develop an explanatory model of how policy instruments impact child and maternal health outcomes

BACKGROUND

Child and maternal health, a key marker of overall health system performance, is a policy priority area by the World Health Organization and the United Nations, including the Sustainable Development Goals. Previous realist work has linked child and maternal health outcomes to globalization, political tradition, and the welfare state. It is important to explore the role of other key policy-related factors. This paper presents a realist synthesis, categorising policy instruments according to the established NATO model, to develop an explanatory model of how policy instruments impact child and maternal health outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies assessing the relationships between policy instruments and child and maternal health outcomes. Data were analysed using a realist framework. The first stage of the realist analysis process was to generate micro-theoretical initial programme theories for use in the theory adjudication process. Proposed theories were then adjudicated iteratively to produce a set of final programme theories.

FINDINGS

From a total of 43,415 unique records, 632 records proceeded to full-text screening and 138 papers were included in the review. Evidence from 132 studies was available to address this research question. Studies were published from 1995 to 2021; 76% assessed a single country, and 81% analysed data at the ecological level. Eighty-eight initial candidate programme theories were generated. Following theory adjudication, five final programme theories were supported. According to the NATO model, these were related to treasure, organisation, authority-treasure, and treasure-organisation instrument types.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper presents a realist synthesis to develop an explanatory model of how policy instruments impact child and maternal health outcomes from a large, systematically identified international body of evidence. Five final programme theories were supported, showing how policy instruments play an important yet context-dependent role in influencing child and maternal health outcomes.

Household food insecurity is associated with obesogenic health behaviours among a low-income cohort of pregnant women in Boston, MA

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations of household food insecurity with health and obesogenic behaviours among pregnant women enrolled in an obesity prevention programme in the greater Boston area.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional evaluation. Data were collected from structured questionnaires that included a validated two-item screener to assess household food insecurity. We used separate multivariable linear and logistic regression models to quantify the association between household food insecurity and maternal health behaviours (daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages and fast food, physical activity, screen time, and sleep), mental health outcomes (depression and stress), hyperglycaemia status and gestational weight gain.

SETTING

Three community health centres that primarily serve low-income and racial/ethnic minority patients in Revere, Chelsea and Dorchester, Massachusetts.

PARTICIPANTS

Totally, 858 pregnant women participating in the First 1,000 Days program, a quasi-experimental trial.

RESULTS

Approximately 21 % of women reported household food insecurity. In adjusted analysis, household food insecurity was associated with low fruit and vegetable intake (β = -0·31 daily servings; 95 % CI -0·52, -0·10), more screen time (β = 0·32 daily hours; 95 % CI 0·04, 0·61), less sleep (β = -0·32 daily hours; 95 % CI -0·63, -0·01), and greater odds of current (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4·42; 95 % CI 2·33, 8·35) or past depression (AOR 3·01; 95 % CI 2·08, 4·35), and high stress (AOR 2·91; 95 % CI 1·98, 4·28).

CONCLUSIONS

In our sample of mostly low-income, racial/ethnic minority pregnant women, household food insecurity was associated with mental health and behaviours known to increase the likelihood of obesity.

Stakeholder engagement in developing a father-inclusive early life obesity prevention intervention: First Heroes

Background

Although paternal involvement in the perinatal period is associated with benefits for maternal-child health and reduced obesity risk, fathers are seldom included in perinatal or obesity prevention efforts. Engaging community leaders and fathers as stakeholders in intervention development is a critical step in designing a father-inclusive intervention that is efficacious and responsive to their needs.

Methods

We conducted a structured engagement study, including community stakeholder engagement and qualitative interviews with new fathers, to inform the development of a prospective randomized controlled trial that includes mothers and fathers as equal partners in infant obesity prevention. We interpreted stakeholder feedback through the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) framework.

Results

Between September 2019 and April 2020, we held a Community Engagement meeting, formed a Community Advisory Board, and conducted 16 qualitative interviews with new fathers. Stakeholder engagement revealed insights across CFIR domains including intervention characteristics (relative advantage, complexity, design quality & packaging), outer setting factors (cosmopolitanism and culture), individual characteristics (including self-efficacy, state of change, identification with the organization) and process (engagement and adaptation). Stakeholders discussed the diverse challenges and rewards of fatherhood, as well as the intrinsic paternal motivation to be a loving, supportive father and partner. Both community leaders and fathers emphasized the importance of tailoring program delivery and content to meet specific parental needs, including a focus on the social-emotional needs of new parents.

Conclusions

A structured process of multidimensional stakeholder engagement was successful in improving the design of a father-inclusive perinatal obesity prevention interventions. Father engagement was instrumental in both reinforcing community ties and increasing our understanding of fathers’ needs, resulting in improvements to program values, delivery strategies, personnel, and content. This study provides a practical approach for investigators looking to involve key stakeholders in the pre-implementation phase of intervention development.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04477577. Registered 20 July 2020.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04759-z.

Effects of the First 1000 Days Program, a systems-change intervention, on obesity risk factors during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

First 1000 Days is a systems-oriented program starting in early pregnancy lasting through the first 24 months of infancy focused on preventing obesity and related risk factors among low income, mother-infant pairs. The program was developed in partnership with stakeholders to create an infrastructure for system-wide change. It includes screening for adverse health behaviors and socio-contextual factors, patient navigation and educational materials to support behavior change and social needs, and individualized health coaching for women at highest risk of obesity and has been shown to reduce excess gestational weight gain for women who were overweight at the start of their pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to examine changes from the first to third trimester for women participating in the First 1000 Days Program.

METHODS

We collected information through self-administered questionnaires during the first and third trimester of gestation and from electronic health records relating to obesity risk factors. Measures collected included behavior (i.e., diet, physical activity and screen time) and psychosocial (i.e., anxiety) outcomes, as well as enrollment in Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program. We examined the extent to which participation in the program was associated with changes in behaviors and psychosocial outcomes among women during pregnancy.

RESULTS

Women completed surveys at their initial and third trimester prenatal visits (n = 264). Mean age (SD) was 30.2 (5.51) years and 75% had an annual household income of <$50,000. Mean pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was 27.7 kg/m2 and 64% started pregnancy with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. In multivariable adjusted models, we observed decreases in intake of sugary-drinks (- 0.95 servings/day; 95% CI: - 1.86, - 0.03) and in screen time (- 0.21 h/day; 95% CI: - 0.40, - 0.01), and an increase in physical activity (0.88 days/week; 95% CI: 0.52, 1.23) from the first to third trimester. We also observed a decrease in pregnancy-related anxiety score (- 1.06 units; 95% CI: - 1.32, - 0.79) and higher odds of enrollment in Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program (OR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.96, 3.41).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that a systems-oriented prenatal intervention may be associated with improvements in behaviors and psychosocial outcomes during pregnancy among low-income mothers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT03191591 ; Retrospectively registered on June 19, 2017).

Twelve-Month Outcomes of the First 1000 Days Program on Infant Weight Status

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effects of the First 1000 Days intervention on the prevalence of infant overweight and maternal postpartum weight retention and care.

METHODS

Using a quasi-experimental design, we evaluated the effects of the First 1000 Days program among 995 term, low-income infants and their mothers receiving care in 2 intervention community health centers and 650 dyads in 2 comparison health centers. The program includes staff training, growth tracking, health and behavioral screening, patient navigation, text messaging, educational materials, and health coaching. Comparison centers implemented usual care. Infant outcomes were assessed at 6 and 12 months, including weight-for-length z score and overweight (weight for length ≥97.7th percentile). We also examined maternal weight retention and receipt of care 6 weeks' post partum.

RESULTS

The mean birth weight was 3.34 kg (SD 0.45); 57% of infants were Hispanic; 66% were publicly insured. At 6 months, infants had lower weight-for-length z scores (β: -.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -.39 to -.15) and lower odds of overweight (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.76) than infants in comparison sites; differences persisted at 12 months (z score β: -.18; 95% CI: -.30 to -.07; adjusted OR for overweight: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.92). Mothers in the intervention sites had modestly lower, but nonsignificant, weight retention at 6 weeks' post partum (β: -.51 kg; 95% CI: -1.15 to .13) and had higher odds (adjusted OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.94) of completing their postpartum visit compared with mothers in the comparison sites.

CONCLUSIONS

An early-life systems-change intervention combined with coaching was associated with improved infant weight status and maternal postpartum care.

Nutritional Strategies for Childhood Obesity Prevention

BACKGROUND

Reducing the spread of obesity represents a challenge for clinicians in which obesity prevention plays a key role in achieving this purpose. The aim of this review is to analyze the nutritional interventions that can be implemented to prevent childhood obesity.

METHODS

Searching PubMed and Cochrane Library between 2019 and 2021. Further searching with no date range for articles selected for their specific relevance in the pediatric area or for their scientific relevance. A total of 871 articles were identified and 90 were included.

RESULTS

We organized the results of the selected articles into age groups, and according to the subjects targeted for interventions or to the site of interventions, reserving an in-depth analysis on specific nutritional aspects. Promotion of breastfeeding, reduction of protein content of formulated milks, and diet of the first 12-24 months, involving family and schools in interventions that promote physical activity and healthy diet, are promising strategies for reduction of the risk of obesity. To increase the efficacy of interventions, a multidimensional approach is crucial.

CONCLUSIONS

A multidimensional approach, which takes into consideration different areas of intervention, is pivotal for childhood obesity prevention. Integrated programs involving several components (nutrition and physical activity at first) at different levels (individual, family, school, and institutional) are crucial.

Engaging fathers in the first 1000 days to improve perinatal outcomes and prevent obesity: Rationale and design of the First Heroes randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Early pregnancy through the first year of life represents an important period for family health promotion and obesity prevention. Overall, preventive interventions in pregnancy and infancy have insufficiently engaged fathers. We describe the rationale and design of First Heroes, an intervention to improve perinatal and obesity-related outcomes among mother-father-infant triads beginning in pregnancy.

METHODS/DESIGN

First Heroes is a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation randomized trial of mother-father-infant triads recruited in the second trimester of pregnancy from a large Obstetric practice in eastern Massachusetts and continuing through 12 months of infant age. Triads are randomized to the intervention arm or to an enhanced safety education control group. Triads randomized to the intervention arm receive three virtual visits with a health educator, in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, at 3-4 weeks, and 3-4 months postpartum, and receive continuous multimedia education through text messaging, print material, and videos. The educational curriculum addresses parent health behaviors, family relationships, social determinants of health, and infant feeding, sleep, and development. The primary outcome is prevalence of rapid infant weight gain from birth to 6 months of age. Secondary outcomes include parent anthropometrics, parent obesogenic behaviors, family functioning, and infant behaviors.

DISCUSSION

First Heroes will evaluate the extent to which intentional mother-father dyad engagement, coaching on adoption of early life health behaviors, and addressing social determinants of health, influence obesogenic behaviors and outcomes in the first year of life. Findings from this work will inform future obesity prevention efforts, especially those focused on whole family inclusion.