Effect of Postnatal Home Visits on Maternal/Infant Outcomes in Syria: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Impact of an intervention for perinatal anxiety on breastfeeding: findings from the Happy Mother-Healthy Baby randomized controlled trial in Pakistan

BACKGROUND

The study examined the effects of Happy Mother-Healthy Baby (HMHB), a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention on breastfeeding outcomes for Pakistani women with prenatal anxiety.

METHODS

Breastfeeding practices were evaluated in a randomized controlled trial between 2019 and 2022 in a public hospital in Pakistan. The intervention group was randomized to receive six HMHB sessions targeted towards prenatal anxiety (with breastfeeding discussed in the final session), while both groups also received enhanced usual care. Breastfeeding was defined in four categories: early breastfeeding, exclusive early breastfeeding, recent breastfeeding, and exclusive recent breastfeeding. Early breastfeeding referred to the first 24 h after birth and recent breastfeeding referred to the last 24 h before an assessment at six-weeks postpartum. Potential confounders included were mother's age, baseline depression and anxiety levels, stress, social support, if the first pregnancy (or not) and history of stillbirth or miscarriage as well as child's gestational age, gender. Both intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were examined. Stratified analyses were also used to compare intervention efficacy for those with mild vs severe anxiety.

RESULTS

Out of the 1307 eligible women invited to participate, 107 declined to participate and 480 were lost to follow-up, resulting in 720 women who completed the postpartum assessment. Both intervention and control arms were similar on demographic characteristics (e.g. sex, age, income, family structure). In the primary intent-to-treat analysis, there was a marginal impact of the intervention on early breastfeeding (OR 1.38, 95% CI: 0.99-1.92; 75.4% (N = 273) vs. 69.0% (N = 247)) and a non-significant association with other breastfeeding outcomes (OR1.42, 95% CI: 0.89-2.27; (47) 12.9% vs. (34) 9.5%, exclusive early breastfeeding; OR 1.48, 95% CI: 0.94-2.35; 90% (N = 327) vs. 86% (N = 309), recent breastfeeding; OR1.01, 95% CI: 0.76-1.35; 49% (N = 178) vs 49% (N = 175) exclusive recent breastfeeding). Among those who completed the intervention's six core sessions, the intervention increased the odds of early breastfeeding (OR1.69, 95% CI:1.12-2.54; 79% (N = 154) vs. 69% (N = 247)) and recent breastfeeding (OR 2.05, 95% CI:1.10-3.81; 93% (N = 181) vs. 86% (N = 309)). For women with mild anxiety at enrolment, the intervention increased the odds of recent breastfeeding (OR 2.41, 95% CI:1.17-5.00; 92% (N = 137) vs. 83% (N = 123).

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights the potential of CBT-based interventions like HMHB to enhance breastfeeding among women with mild perinatal anxiety, contingent upon full participation in the intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03880032.

The effect of home nurse visits on infant weight and breastfeeding: Systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effects of home nurse visiting on infant weight and breastfeeding; the secondary aim is to determine the duration, frequency and content of home visits.

METHODS

A systematic search of the PubMed, CINAHL, Embase (Ovid), Web of Science, Google Scholar and DergiPark databases for publications between September 2000 and January 2019 was conducted using established methods in compliance with the PRISMA-P declaration guideline. Two authors independently evaluated the studies for inclusion and bias, extracted the data and checked their accuracy.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis includes a total of 34 studies, 28 on breastfeeding and nine on infant weight. The average effect size of the 28 studies investigating the effect on breastfeeding was found to be OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.73-2.90; p < 0.001. The average effect size of the nine studies investigating the effect on infant weight was found to be ES: 0.197; 95% CI: 0.027-0.368; p < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

There is an association between nurse home visits and breastfeeding and infant weight. Home visits by nurses should continue to remain within the nursing role and be analysed appropriately for mother and baby health.

Scoping review of interventions to improve continuity of postdischarge care for newborns in LMICs

INTRODUCTION

Neonatal mortality remains significant in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) with in-hospital mortality rates similar to those following discharge from healthcare facilities. Care continuity interventions have been suggested as a way of reducing postdischarge mortality by better linking care between facilities and communities. This scoping review aims to map and describe interventions used in LMICs to improve care continuity for newborns after discharge and examine assumptions underpinning the design and delivery of continuity.

METHODS

We searched seven databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane library and (Ovid) Global health). Publications with primary data on interventions focused on continuity of care for newborns in LMICs were included. Extracted data included year of publication, study location, study design and type of intervention. Drawing on relevant theoretical frameworks and classifications, we assessed the extent to which interventions adopted participatory methods and how they attempted to establish continuity.

RESULTS

A total of 65 papers were included in this review; 28 core articles with rich descriptions were prioritised for more in-depth analysis. Most articles adopted quantitative designs. Interventions focused on improving continuity and flow of information via education sessions led by community health workers during home visits. Extending previous frameworks, our findings highlight the importance of interpersonal continuity in LMICs where communication and relationships between family members, healthcare workers and members of the wider community play a vital role in creating support systems for postdischarge care. Only a small proportion of studies focused on high-risk babies. Some studies used participatory methods, although often without meaningful engagement in problem definition and intervention implementation.

CONCLUSION

Efforts to reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity should draw across multiple continuity logics (informational, relational, interpersonal and managerial) to strengthen care after hospital discharge in LMIC settings and further focus on high-risk neonates, as they often have the worst outcomes.

Interventions and Programs to Promote Breastfeeding in Arabic-Speaking Countries: A Scoping Review

INTRODUCTION

Low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in the Arab world is concerning and suboptimal breastfeeding is a leading child health risk factor in several Arab States. Breastfeeding education has the capacity to improve breastfeeding knowledge and practice, thus positively impacting infant and maternal health. The purpose of this review is to identify and examine the impact of breastfeeding promotion interventions across the Arab world.

METHOD

A scoping review of the literature was conducted across seventeen databases for relevant publications published through October 2021 to find studies in Arab countries, that involved breastfeeding as an intervention component. Twenty-one articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed.

RESULTS

Individual and community based educational interventions offer the opportunity to positively impact the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of breastfeeding in new mothers in Arab countries. Increased breastfeeding has the potential to lead to improved neonate and maternal health. In addition to significant benefits found across individual and community-based interventions in a variety of Arab countries, there is also evidence that interventions that improve the knowledge of health care professionals and/or the practices of a health care system can contribute to subsequent increases in breastfeeding rates.

DISCUSSION

Breastfeeding education is a low-cost and high-impact public health tool that can impact infant and maternal health and potentially increase breastfeeding adherence in the Arab world.

Support for healthy breastfeeding mothers with healthy term babies

BACKGROUND

There is extensive evidence of important health risks for infants and mothers related to not breastfeeding. In 2003, the World Health Organization recommended that infants be breastfed exclusively until six months of age, with breastfeeding continuing as an important part of the infant's diet until at least two years of age. However, current breastfeeding rates in many countries do not reflect this recommendation.

OBJECTIVES

1. To describe types of breastfeeding support for healthy breastfeeding mothers with healthy term babies. 2. To examine the effectiveness of different types of breastfeeding support interventions in terms of whether they offered only breastfeeding support or breastfeeding support in combination with a wider maternal and child health intervention ('breastfeeding plus' support).  3. To examine the effectiveness of the following intervention characteristics on breastfeeding support:      a. type of support (e.g. face-to-face, telephone, digital technologies, group or individual support, proactive or reactive);      b. intensity of support (i.e. number of postnatal contacts);      c. person delivering the intervention (e.g. healthcare professional, lay person);     d. to examine whether the impact of support varied between high- and low-and middle-income countries.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register (which includes results of searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP)) (11 May 2021) and reference lists of retrieved studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing extra support for healthy breastfeeding mothers of healthy term babies with usual maternity care. Support could be provided face-to-face, over the phone or via digital technologies. All studies had to meet the trustworthiness criteria.  DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth methods. Two review authors independently selected trials, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias and study trustworthiness.  The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

This updated review includes 116 trials of which 103 contribute data to the analyses. In total more than 98,816 mother-infant pairs were included.  Moderate-certainty evidence indicated that 'breastfeeding only' support probably reduced the number of women stopping breastfeeding for all primary outcomes: stopping any breastfeeding at six months (Risk Ratio (RR) 0.93, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.89 to 0.97); stopping exclusive breastfeeding at six months (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.93); stopping any breastfeeding at 4-6 weeks (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.97); and stopping exclusive breastfeeding at 4-6 (RR 0.83 95% CI 0.76 to 0.90). Similar findings were reported for the secondary breastfeeding outcomes except for any breastfeeding at two months and 12 months when the evidence was uncertain if 'breastfeeding only' support helped reduce the number of women stopping breastfeeding.  The evidence for 'breastfeeding plus' was less consistent. For primary outcomes there was some evidence that 'breastfeeding plus' support probably reduced the number of women stopping any breastfeeding (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.97, moderate-certainty evidence) or exclusive breastfeeding at six months (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.90).  'Breastfeeding plus' interventions may have a beneficial effect on reducing the number of women stopping exclusive breastfeeding at 4-6 weeks, but the evidence is very uncertain (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.95). The evidence suggests that 'breastfeeding plus' support probably results in little to no difference in the number of women stopping any breastfeeding at 4-6 weeks (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.08, moderate-certainty evidence). For the secondary outcomes, it was uncertain if 'breastfeeding plus' support helped reduce the number of women stopping any or exclusive breastfeeding at any time points.  There were no consistent findings emerging from the narrative synthesis of the non-breastfeeding outcomes (maternal satisfaction with care, maternal satisfaction with feeding method, infant morbidity, and maternal mental health), except for a possible reduction of diarrhoea in intervention infants.  We considered the overall risk of bias of trials included in the review was mixed. Blinding of participants and personnel is not feasible in such interventions and as studies utilised self-report breastfeeding data, there is also a risk of bias in outcome assessment.   We conducted meta-regression to explore substantial heterogeneity for the primary outcomes using the following categories: person providing care; mode of delivery; intensity of support; and income status of country.  It is possible that moderate levels (defined as 4-8 visits) of 'breastfeeding only' support may be associated with a more beneficial effect on exclusive breastfeeding at 4-6 weeks and six months. 'Breastfeeding only' support may also be more effective in reducing women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) stopping exclusive breastfeeding at six months compared to women in high-income countries (HICs). However, no other differential effects were found and thus heterogeneity remains largely unexplained. The meta-regression suggested that there were no differential effects regarding person providing support or mode of delivery, however, power was limited.  AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: When 'breastfeeding only' support is offered to women, the duration and in particular, the exclusivity of breastfeeding is likely to be increased. Support may also be more effective in reducing the number of women stopping breastfeeding at three to four months compared to later time points.  For 'breastfeeding plus' interventions the evidence is less certain. Support may be offered either by professional or lay/peer supporters, or a combination of both. Support can also be offered face-to-face, via telephone or digital technologies, or a combination and may be more effective when delivered on a schedule of four to eight visits. Further work is needed to identify components of the effective interventions and to deliver interventions on a larger scale.

Multilevel analysis of the predictors of completion of the continuum of maternity care in Ethiopia; using the recent 2019 Ethiopia mini demographic and health survey

Background

Despite the significant benefit of the continuum of care to avert maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, still the dropout from the continuum of care remains high and continued to become a challenge in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of completion along the continuum of maternity care and its predictors among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia.

Methods

A secondary data analysis was done using the 2019 mini Ethiopian demographic health survey. A total weighted sample of 2,905 women aged 15–49 years who gave birth in the last five years preceding the survey and who had antenatal care visits was included. A multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to examine the predictors that affect the completion of the continuum of maternity care services. Finally, statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05.

Results

In this study, the overall prevalence of completion along the continuum of maternity care was 12.9% (95%CI: 11.1 – 14.9%). Attending higher education (AOR = 2.03: 95%CI; 1.14 - 3.61), belonged to medium wealth status (AOR = 1.69: 95%CI; 1.07 - 2.66), belonged to rich wealth status (AOR = 2.05: 95%CI; 1.32, 3.17), and informed about danger signs during pregnancy (AOR = 2.23: 95%CI; 1.61, 3.10) were positively associated with the completion of the maternity continuum of care. However, late initiaton of first antenatal care visits (AOR = 0.66: 95%CI; 0.49, 0.89), being rural resident (AOR = 0.67: 95%CI; 0.42 - 0.93), lived in the Afar (AOR = 0.36: 95%CI; 0.12 – 0.83) and Gambella (AOR = 0.52: 95%CI; 0.19 – 0.95) regional states were negatively associated with the completion of the continuum of maternity care.

Conclusion

Despite most of the women using at least one of the maternity services, the level of completion along the continuum of care after antenatal care booking remains low in Ethiopia. Therefore, enhancing female education and economic transitions with special consideration given to rural, Afar, and Gambella regional state residents. Counseling towards the danger signs of pregnancy and its complications during antenatal care follow-upshould be strengthened. . Furthermore, the identified predictors should be considered when designing new policies or updating policies and strategies on maternity services uptake to step-up its full utilization, which in turn helps in the achievement of the sustainable development goals of ending preventable causes of maternal, neonatal, and child death by 2030.

Home based postpartum care and determinants in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis

INTRODUCTION

Neonatal mortality remains a persisting public health challenge in Ethiopia. Timely intervention to neonatal morbidity and early neonatal care visit could reduce the burden of mortality. Studies related to home based postnatal care is limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess home based postnatal care visits and determinants in Ethiopia.

METHODS

A secondary data analysis using 2016 EDHS data was conducted among 7590 women who had live births two years preceding the survey. A multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression analysis model was used and those variables with a P-value ≤ of 0.05 in multivariable analysis were considered as predictors. Results: Home based postpartum care by health care providers was 6.3% and 67.9% of women gave birth at home. Women perceived that distance is not big problem [AOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.68], richer wealth index [AOR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.48], attending antenatal care visit [AOR = 2.17; 95% CI:1.57, 2.99], giving birth in health institution [AOR = 2.07; 95% CI:1.53, 2.80], giving birth by cesarean section [AOR = 3.41; 95% CI: 2.33, 4.99], and having awareness about neonatal danger sign [AOR = 3.68; 95% CI: 2.90,4.70] were factors associated with home based postpartum care.

CONCLUSION

Home based care by health care providers was low. Therefore, measures should be taken in increasing the number of nearby health care facility, strengthen the continuum of care on antenatal care follow-up, institutional delivery and improve mother's knowledge about neonatal danger sign.

Outcomes of a Telephonic Postnatal Intervention for Mothers and Babies in Mopani District, Limpopo, South Africa

Background

The postnatal period is a critical period for the health of both mother and infant. Studies show that postnatal care reduces neonatal mortality and other adverse mother and child health outcomes. While the World Health Organization recommends four postnatal care contacts, South African guidelines only specify three, excluding a 7-14-day post-birth contact. This study aimed to assess whether a telephonic contact at 7-14 days following delivery had any effect on use of additional postnatal services.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial design was used to address the study objectives. Two groups of new mothers were randomly allocated to either receive the 7-14-day telephonic contact or not from a research nurse. Data for this study was collected at Maphutha L Malatjie Hospital (MLMH). Descriptive analysis was performed first, then a multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the factors associated with access to other health care services.

Results

A total of 882 mothers were recruited, 854 (97%) were classified as high risk, 28 (3%) were classified as low risk. 417 (49%) of the high risk received the 7-14-day call (intervention group) whilst the remainder of 437 (51%) from the high risk plus all mothers classified as low risk (28) did not receive the call (control group). 686 (78%) of all mothers received the 3 month follow up call. The call showed that 17 mothers from the control group and 10 mothers from the intervention group accessed other healthcare services. We find that hypertension (3.28; 1.06 −10.10), mental health risk (2.82; 1.25 −6.38), PV bleeding during pregnancy (18.33; 1.79–187.61), problem during labor (4.40; 1.280–15.13) were positively associated with access to other health services, with statistically significant associations (p-value < 0.05). We found statistically insignificant associations between receiving the 7-14-day call and accessing other health care services.

Conclusion

The 7-14-day call had no statistically significant impact on access to other health services, however, high levels of satisfaction with the call may point to an unmet need for care at this time. It is important to investigate other innovative solutions to postnatal care improvement in South Africa.

Parent satisfaction with sustained home visiting care for mothers and children: an integrative review

AIM

To synthesise and analyse the existing literature regarding parent satisfaction with sustained home visiting care for mothers and children.

BACKGROUND

Sustained home visiting is a service delivery mechanism of both prevention and intervention, in which people receive structured support services within their home environment over an extended period of months or years. For the purposes of this paper, sustained home visiting refers to in-home nursing support to address health inequities for mothers and young children. Sustained home visiting programs have been found to support improved health, wellbeing, and developmental outcomes for children and families. However, there is limited knowledge with regards to the level of parent satisfaction with care provided at home, and the factors and elements of care parents perceive to be critical to their satisfaction. It is important for healthcare practitioners to understand what practices and process parents consider to be a priority in securing their ongoing engagement.

DESIGN

Integrative review.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO.

METHODS

A multi-step approach was used to search and retrieve peer-reviewed studies from the databases. Study selection, data extraction, data synthesis and critical appraisal were undertaken by two independent researchers.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria, including nine quantitative and four qualitative studies. The review found that parents provided with home visiting interventions had higher levels of satisfaction with care than those who received routine or facility-based care. Service dose was a factor associated with parent satisfaction, however, the direction of impact on parent satisfaction was mixed. Other elements of care parents perceived as important to service satisfaction included the nurse-client relationship, being treated with respect, empowerment, and emotional support.

CONCLUSION

While it is critically important that home visiting practitioners provide evidence-based care and interventions, it is equally important that services are delivered in the context of positive and empowering relationships. Further research is recommended to understand the care process and mechanisms that enhance parent satisfaction and positive experiences, providing optimal quality of care.

Geographical variation and predictors of zero utilization for a standard maternal continuum of care among women in Ethiopia: a spatial and geographically weighted regression analysis

BACKGROUND

Maintaining and effectively utilizing maternal continuum of care could save an estimated 860,000 additional mothers and newborn lives each year. In Ethiopia, the number of maternal and neonatal deaths occurred during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period was very high. It is indisputable that area-based heterogeneity of zero utilization for a standard maternal continuum of care is critical to improve maternal and child health interventions. However, none of the previous studies explored the spatial distribution of zero utilization for maternal continuum of care. Hence, this study was aimed to explore geographical variation and predictors of zero utilization for a standard maternal continuum of care among women in Ethiopia.

METHODS

A total of 4178 women who gave birth five years preceding the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey were included. ArcGIS version 10.7, SaT Scan version 9.6, and GWR version 4.0 Software was used to handle mapping, hotspot, ordinary least square, Bernoulli model analysis, and to model spatial relationships. Finally, a statistical decision was made at a p-value< 0.05 and at 95% confidence interval.

MAIN FINDINGS

The proportion of mothers who had zero utilization of a standard maternal continuum of care was 48.8% (95% CI: 47.3-50.4). Hot spot (high risk) regions for zero utilization of maternal continuum of care was detected in Afder, Warder, Korahe and Gode Zones of Somali region and West Arsi Zone of Oromia region. Respondents who had poor wealth index, uneducated mothers, and mothers who declared distance as a big problem could increase zero utilization of maternal continuum of care by 0.24, 0.27, and 0.1 times.

CONCLUSION

Five women out of ten could not utilize any components of a standard maternal continuum of care. Hot spot (high risk) areas was detected in Afder, Warder, Korahe and Gode Zones of Somali region and West Arsi Zone of Oromia region. Poor wealth index, uneducated mothers, and mothers who declare distance as a big problem were factors significantly associated with zero utilization of maternal continuum of care. Thus, geographical based intervention could be held to curve the high prevalence of zero utilization of maternal continuum of care.

Factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding duration in Pakistan: a population-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding has the most profound impact on infant health and wellness, and also have significant implications for the mother. The duration of the breastfeeding determines the infant's protection from malnutrition and other common infectious diseases; consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) six months, followed by gradual weaning and breastfeeding until the baby is two years old. In Pakistan, the practice of breastfeeding is heavily dependent upon certain demographic, economic, social, and biological factors, which ultimately impact the quality of care provided to the infant and their health. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to measure the impact of these factors on the exclusive breastfeeding duration in Pakistan.

METHODS

The data for the study has been collected from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) for the year 2017-18. Binary logistic regression model and survival analysis are used to determine the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

RESULTS

We use a binary logistic regression to estimate the effect of each factor on the duration of EBF. The binary logistic regression finds significant relationships between region, maternal education, wealth index, size of a child, watching television, delivery by cesarean, and maternal age and EBF. We then use log-likelihood, AIC, BIC criteria to determine if a parametric or non-parametric model would provide a better fit; based on these results we fit an Inverse Gaussian (Weibull) distribution for the survival analysis. These results show that there are more significant factors associated with EBF duration in parametric survival analysis than in the binary logistic regression results. Thus, the survival analysis is a better method for predicting the relationship between the duration of EBF and its factors. Furthermore, logically EBF is designated to be done for six months which would not be properly gauged with a binary response variable.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study provide proof that exclusive breastfeeding is a common practice among women in Pakistan, and to improve the quality of post-natal care, health policy in the country needs to focus on the existing demographic and social factors which are found significant in this study.

Level of completion along continuum of care for maternal, newborn and child health services and factors associated with it among women in India: a population-based cross-sectional study

Background

India, being a developing country, presents a disquiet picture of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. The majority of maternal and neonatal mortality could be avoided if the continuum of care (CoC) is provided in a structured pathway from pregnancy to the postpartum period. Therefore, this article attempted to address the following research questions: What is the level of completion along CoC for MNCH services? At which stage of care do women discontinue taking services? and what are the factors affecting the continuation in receiving maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services among women in India?

Methods

The study utilized the data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) conducted during 2015–16 in India. The analysis was limited to 107,016 women aged 15–49 who had given a live birth in the last 5 years preceding the survey and whose children had completed 1 year. Four sequential fixed effect logit regression models were fitted to identify the predictors of completion of CoC.

Results

Nearly 39% of women in India had completed CoC for maternal and child health by receiving all four types of service (antenatal care, institutional delivery, post-natal care and full immunization of their child), with substantial regional variation ranging from 12 to 81%. The highest number of dropouts in CoC were observed at the first stage with a loss of nearly 38%. Further, education, wealth index, and health insurance coverage emerged as significant factors associated with CoC completion.

Conclusion

The major barrier in achieving CoC for maternal and child health is the low utilization of ANC services in the first stage of the continuum and hence should be addressed for increasing CoC completion rate in the country. The gaps across all the levels of CoC indicate a need for increased focus on the CoC approach in India. A strategy should be developed that will connect all the components of MNCH avoiding dropouts and the MNCH provision should be standardized to provide services to every woman and child.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-04198-2.

Health, social care and technological interventions to improve functional ability of older adults living at home: An evidence and gap map

Background

By 2030, the global population of people older than 60 years is expected to be higher than the number of children under 10 years, resulting in major health and social care system implications worldwide. Without a supportive environment, whether social or built, diminished functional ability may arise in older people. Functional ability comprises an individual's intrinsic capacity and people's interaction with their environment enabling them to be and do what they value.

Objectives

This evidence and gap map aims to identify primary studies and systematic reviews of health and social support services as well as assistive devices designed to support functional ability among older adults living at home or in other places of residence.

Search Methods

We systematically searched from inception to August 2018 in: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AgeLine, Campbell Library, ASSIA, Social Science Citation Index and Social Policy & Practice. We conducted a focused search for grey literature and protocols of studies (e.g., ProQuest Theses and Dissertation Global, conference abstract databases, Help Age, PROSPERO, Cochrane and Campbell libraries and ClinicalTrials.gov).

Selection Criteria

Screening and data extraction were performed independently in duplicate according to our intervention and outcome framework. We included completed and on-going systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials of effectiveness on health and social support services provided at home, assistive products and technology for personal indoor and outdoor mobility and transportation as well as design, construction and building products and technology of buildings for private use such as wheelchairs, and ramps.

Data Collection and Analysis

We coded interventions and outcomes, and the number of studies that assessed health inequities across equity factors. We mapped outcomes based on the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) adapted categories: intrinsic capacities (body function and structures) and functional abilities (activities). We assessed methodological quality of systematic reviews using the AMSTAR II checklist.

Main Results

After de-duplication, 10,783 records were screened. The map includes 548 studies (120 systematic reviews and 428 randomized controlled trials). Interventions and outcomes were classified using domains from the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. Most systematic reviews (n = 71, 59%) were rated low or critically low for methodological quality.The most common interventions were home-based rehabilitation for older adults (n = 276) and home-based health services for disease prevention (n = 233), mostly delivered by visiting healthcare professionals (n = 474). There was a relative paucity of studies on personal mobility, building adaptations, family support, personal support and befriending or friendly visits. The most measured intrinsic capacity domains were mental function (n = 269) and neuromusculoskeletal function (n = 164). The most measured outcomes for functional ability were basic needs (n = 277) and mobility (n = 160). There were few studies which evaluated outcome domains of social participation, financial security, ability to maintain relationships and communication.There was a lack of studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and a gap in the assessment of health equity issues.

Authors' Conclusions

There is substantial evidence for interventions to promote functional ability in older adults at home including mostly home-based rehabilitation for older adults and home-based health services for disease prevention. Remotely delivered home-based services are of greater importance to policy-makers and practitioners in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This map of studies published prior to the pandemic provides an initial resource to identify relevant home-based services which may be of interest for policy-makers and practitioners, such as home-based rehabilitation and social support, although these interventions would likely require further adaptation for online delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need to strengthen assessment of social support and mobility interventions and outcomes related to making decisions, building relationships, financial security, and communication in future studies. More studies are needed to assess LMIC contexts and health equity issues.

Schedules for home visits in the early postpartum period

BACKGROUND

Maternal complications, including psychological/mental health problems and neonatal morbidity, have commonly been observed in the postpartum period. Home visits by health professionals or lay supporters in the weeks following birth may prevent health problems from becoming chronic, with long-term effects. This is an update of a review last published in 2017.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this review is to assess the effects of different home-visiting schedules on maternal and newborn mortality during the early postpartum period. The review focuses on the frequency of home visits (how many home visits in total), the timing (when visits started, e.g. within 48 hours of the birth), duration (when visits ended), intensity (how many visits per week), and different types of home-visiting interventions.

SEARCH METHODS

For this update, we searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (19 May 2021), and checked reference lists of retrieved studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (including cluster-, quasi-RCTs and studies available only as abstracts) comparing different home-visiting interventions that enrolled participants in the early postpartum period (up to 42 days after birth) were eligible for inclusion. We excluded studies in which women were enrolled and received an intervention during the antenatal period (even if the intervention continued into the postnatal period), and studies recruiting only women from specific high-risk groups (e.g. women with alcohol or drug problems).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 16 randomised trials with data for 12,080 women. The trials were carried out in countries across the world, in both high- and low-resource settings. In low-resource settings, women receiving usual care may have received no additional postnatal care after early hospital discharge. The interventions and controls varied considerably across studies. Trials focused on three broad types of comparisons, as detailed below. In all but four of the included studies, postnatal care at home was delivered by healthcare professionals. The aim of all interventions was broadly to assess the well-being of mothers and babies, and to provide education and support. However, some interventions had more specific aims, such as to encourage breastfeeding, or to provide practical support. For most of our outcomes, only one or two studies provided data, and results were inconsistent overall. All studies had several domains with high or unclear risk of bias. More versus fewer home visits (five studies, 2102 women) The evidence is very uncertain about whether home visits have any effect on maternal and neonatal mortality (very low-certainty evidence). Mean postnatal depression scores as measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) may be slightly higher (worse) with more home visits, though the difference in scores was not clinically meaningful (mean difference (MD) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25 to 1.79; two studies, 767 women; low-certainty evidence). Two separate analyses indicated conflicting results for maternal satisfaction (both low-certainty evidence); one indicated that there may be benefit with fewer visits, though the 95% CI just crossed the line of no effect (risk ratio (RR) 0.96, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.02; two studies, 862 women). However, in another study, the additional support provided by health visitors was associated with increased mean satisfaction scores (MD 14.70, 95% CI 8.43 to 20.97; one study, 280 women; low-certainty evidence). Infant healthcare utilisation may be decreased with more home visits (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.64; four studies, 1365 infants) and exclusive breastfeeding at six weeks may be increased (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.36; three studies, 960 women; low-certainty evidence). Serious neonatal morbidity up to six months was not reported in any trial. Different models of postnatal care (three studies, 4394 women) In a cluster-RCT comparing usual care with individualised care by midwives, extended up to three months after the birth, there may be little or no difference in neonatal mortality (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.12; one study, 696 infants). The proportion of women with EPDS scores ≥ 13 at four months is probably reduced with individualised care (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.86; one study, 1295 women). One study suggests there may be little to no difference between home visits and telephone screening in neonatal morbidity up to 28 days (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.12; one study, 696 women). In a different study, there was no difference between breastfeeding promotion and routine visits in exclusive breastfeeding rates at six months (RR 1.47, 95% CI 0.81 to 2.69; one study, 656 women). Home versus facility-based postnatal care (eight studies, 5179 women) The evidence suggests there may be little to no difference in postnatal depression rates at 42 days postpartum and also as measured on an EPDS scale at 60 days. Maternal satisfaction with postnatal care may be better with home visits (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.62; three studies, 2368 women). There may be little to no difference in infant emergency health care visits or infant hospital readmissions (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.38; three studies, 3257 women) or in exclusive breastfeeding at two weeks (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.18; 1 study, 513 women).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of home visits on maternal and neonatal mortality. Individualised care as part of a package of home visits probably improves depression scores at four months and increasing the frequency of home visits may improve exclusive breastfeeding rates and infant healthcare utilisation. Maternal satisfaction may also be better with home visits compared to hospital check-ups. Overall, the certainty of evidence was found to be low and findings were not consistent among studies and comparisons. Further well designed RCTs evaluating this complex intervention will be required to formulate the optimal package.

Prevalence and risk factors for postpartum depression among women seen at Primary Health Care Centres in Damascus

BACKGROUND

In Syria, there are no previous studies on postpartum depression. The aim of this study is was identify the prevalence of postpartum depression and investigate its risk factors among Syrian women seen at the Primary Health Care Centres in Damascus.

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between January and December 2017 in Damascus, Syria. Postpartum women seen at a convenience sample of the largest and well-utilized primary health care centres in Damascus were invited to participate in the study. The Arabic version of the validated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale questionnaire was used to measure postpartum depression. A cut-off score of 13 was considered to indicate probable depression.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 1105 women participated in this study, 28.2% had a score of 13 (probable Depression). The multivariate analysis showed that postpartum depression was significantly associated with a reported a health problem during last pregnancy (OR = 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-3.5); displacement (OR = 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.97); perceived exposure to a lot of life stressors (OR = 5.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4-10.5); while antenatal care had a protective effect (OR = 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36-0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of postpartum depression among Syrian women in this study was relatively high, as compared to other Arab and Non-Arab countries. Displacement due to the Syrian crisis among other factors was associated with postpartum depression. Obstetricians and other professionals should be sensitized about the importance of screening for the problem for better management.

Face-to-face health professional contact for postpartum women: A systematic review

The postpartum period is a time when physical, psychological and social changes occur. Health professional contact in the first month following birth may contribute to a smoother transition, help prevent and manage infant and maternal complications and reduce health systems' expenditure. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effect of face-to-face health professional contact with postpartum women within the first four weeks following hospital discharge on maternal and infant health outcomes. Fifteen controlled trial reports that included 8332 women were retrieved after searching databases and reference lists of relevant trials and reviews. Although the evidence was of moderate or low quality and the effect size was small, this review suggests that at least one health professional contact within the first 4 weeks postpartum has the potential to reduce the number of women who stop breastfeeding within the first 4-6 weeks postpartum (Risk Ratio 0.86 (95% Confidence Interval 0.75-0.99)) and the number of women who cease exclusive breastfeeding by 4-6 weeks (Risk Ratio 0.84 (95% Confidence Interval 0.71-0.99)) and 6 months (Risk Ratio 0.88 (95% Confidence Interval 0.81-0.96). There was no evidence that one form of health professional contact was superior to any other. There was insufficient evidence to show that health professional contact in the first month postpartum, at a routine or universal level, had an impact on other aspects of maternal and infant health, including non-urgent or urgent use of health services.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of home-based postpartum care on neonatal mortality and exclusive breastfeeding practice in low-and-middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Early postpartum facility discharge negatively impacts mothers’ proper and effective use postnatal care. Cognizant of these facts, home-based postnatal care practices have been promoted to complement facility-based care to reduce neonatal mortality. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of home-based postnatal care on exclusive breastfeeding practice and neonatal mortality in low-and-middle-income countries.

Methods

Randomized trials and quasi-experimental studies were searched from electronic databases including PubMed, Popline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and National Health Service Economic Evaluation databases. Random-effects meta-analysis model was used to pool the estimates of the outcomes accounting for the variability among studies.

Results

We identified 14 trials implementing intervention packages that included preventive and promotive newborn care services, home-based treatment for sick neonates, and community mobilization activities. The pooled analysis indicates that home-based postpartum care reduced neonatal mortally by 24% (risk ratio 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.62–0.92; 9 trials; n = 93,083; heterogeneity p < .01) with no evidence of publication bias (Egger’s test: Coef. = − 1.263; p = .130). The subgroup analysis suggested that frequent home visits, home visits by community health workers, and community mobilization efforts with home visits, to had better neonatal survival. Likewise, the odds of mothers who exclusively breastfed from the home visit group were about three times higher than the mothers who were in the routine care group (odds ratio: 2.88; 95% confidence interval: 1.57–5.29; 6 trials; n = 20,624 mothers; heterogeneity p < .01), with low possibility of publication bias (Coef. = − 7.870; p = .164).

According to the World Health Organization’s Choosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective project recommendations, home-based neonatal care strategy was found to be cost-effective.

Conclusions

Home visits and community mobilization activities to promote neonatal care practices by community health workers is associated with reduced neonatal mortality, increased practice of exclusive breastfeeding, and cost-effective in improving newborn health outcomes for low-and-middle-income countries. However, a well-designed evaluation study is required to formulate the optimal package and optimal timing of home visits to standardize home-based postnatal interventions.

Using Evidence to Drive Impact: Developing the FP Goals Impact Matrix

When designing a family planning (FP) strategy, decision-makers can choose from a wide range of interventions designed to expand access to and develop demand for FP. However, not all interventions will have the same impact on increasing modern contraceptive prevalence (mCP). Understanding the existing evidence is critical to planning successful and cost-effective programs. The Impact Matrix is the first comprehensive summary of the impact of a full range of FP interventions on increasing mCP using a single comparable metric. It was developed through an extensive literature review with input from the wider FP community, and includes 138 impact factors highlighting the range of effectiveness observed across categories and subcategories of FP interventions. The Impact Matrix is central to the FP Goals model, used to project scenarios of mCP growth that help decision-makers set realistic goals and prioritize investments. Development of the Impact Matrix, evidence gaps identified, and the contribution to FP Goals are discussed.

Community-based maternal and newborn educational care packages for improving neonatal health and survival in low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), health services are under-utilised, and several studies have reported improvements in neonatal outcomes following health education imparted to mothers in homes, at health units, or in hospitals. However, evaluating health educational strategy to deliver newborn care, such as one-to-one counselling or group counselling via peer or support groups, or delivered by health professionals, requires rigorous assessment of methodological design and quality, as well as assessment of cost-effectiveness, affordability, sustainability, and reproducibility in diverse health systems.

OBJECTIVES

To compare a community health educational strategy versus no strategy or the existing approach to health education on maternal and newborn care in LMICs, as imparted to mothers or their family members specifically in community settings during the antenatal and/or postnatal period, in terms of effectiveness for improving neonatal health and survival (i.e. neonatal mortality, neonatal morbidity, access to health care, and cost).

SEARCH METHODS

We used the standard search strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2017, Issue 4), in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PubMed (1966 to 2 May 2017), Embase (1980 to 2 May 2017), and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (1982 to 2 May 2017). We also searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings, and the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Community-based randomised controlled, cluster-randomised, or quasi-randomised controlled trials.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted the data. We assessed the quality of evidence using the GRADE method and prepared 'Summary of findings' tables.

MAIN RESULTS

We included in this review 33 original trials (reported in 62 separate articles), which were conducted across Africa and Central and South America, with most reported from Asia, specifically India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Of the 33 community educational interventions provided, 16 included family members in educational counselling, most frequently the mother-in-law or the expectant father. Most studies (n = 14) required one-to-one counselling between a healthcare worker and a mother, and 12 interventions involved group counselling for mothers and occasionally family members; the remaining seven incorporated components of both counselling methods. Our analyses show that community health educational interventions had a significant impact on reducing overall neonatal mortality (risk ratio (RR) 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78 to 0.96; random-effects model; 26 studies; n = 553,111; I² = 88%; very low-quality evidence), early neonatal mortality (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.84; random-effects model; 15 studies that included 3 subsets from 3 studies; n = 321,588; I² = 86%; very low-quality evidence), late neonatal mortality (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.74; random-effects model; 11 studies; n = 186,643; I² = 88%; very low-quality evidence), and perinatal mortality (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.91; random-effects model; 15 studies; n = 262,613; I² = 81%; very low-quality evidence). Moreover, community health educational interventions increased utilisation of any antenatal care (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.22; random-effects model; 18 studies; n = 307,528; I² = 96%) and initiation of breastfeeding (RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.77; random-effects model; 19 studies; n = 126,375; I² = 99%). In contrast, community health educational interventions were found to have a non-significant impact on use of modern contraceptives (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.41; random-effects model; 3 studies; n = 22,237; I² = 80%); presence of skilled birth attendance at birth (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.25; random-effects model; 10 studies; n = 117,870; I² = 97%); utilisation of clean delivery kits (RR 4.44, 95% CI 0.71 to 27.76; random-effects model; 2 studies; n = 17,087; I² = 98%); and care-seeking (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.27; random-effects model; 7 studies; n = 46,154; I² = 93%). Cost-effectiveness analysis conducted in seven studies demonstrated that the cost-effectiveness for intervention packages ranged between USD 910 and USD 11,975 for newborn lives saved and newborn deaths averted. For averted disability-adjusted life-year, costs ranged from USD 79 to USD 146, depending on the intervention strategy; for cost per year of lost lives averted, the most effective strategy was peer counsellors, and the cost was USD 33.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review offers encouraging evidence on the value of integrating packages of interventions with educational components delivered by a range of community workers in group settings in LMICs, with groups consisting of mothers, and additional education for family members, for improved neonatal survival, especially early and late neonatal survival.

Ações do programa de puerpério na atenção primária: uma revisão integrativa

Resumo O puerpério trata-se de um período de significativa morbimortalidade para as mulheres, e a Atenção Primária à saúde (APS) é importante no desenvolvimento de ações para atender as necessidades de saúde das mulheres. Objetivou-se sistematizar o conhecimento produzido sobre as ações de programas de atenção pós-parto no âmbito da APS, tanto em nível nacional, como internacional. Utilizou-se revisão integrativa de literatura de artigos junto às bases Lilacs (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde), BDENF (Base de dados em Enfermagem), SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online) e PubMed (Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina dos Estados Unidos). A busca ocorreu de abril a maio de 2017. Atenderam aos critérios de seleção 43 artigos. Os resultados apontam que: a APS possui estrutura física para atenção à puérpera, porém com déficit em recursos humanos e materiais; há baixa cobertura de consulta pós-parto e visita domiciliar; boa avaliação do incentivo ao aleitamento materno, porém com foco na criança; rastreamento da Depressão Pós-Parto internacionalmente por meio da “Edimburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale”, e déficit na atenção a esse agravo no Brasil. A atenção pós-parto ainda tem como foco o cuidado ao recém-nascido e são restritos, em sua maioria, ao puerpério imediato e tardio.

Effectiveness of a Quality Improvement Program Using Difference-in-Difference Analysis for Home Based Newborn Care - Results of a Community Intervention Trial

OBJECTIVE

To present evaluation of a quality improvement program for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).

METHODS

This community intervention trial was conducted in Ballabgarh, India during 2012-2014 with two Primary Health Center (PHC) areas being the intervention areas and two PHC areas being non-intervention areas receiving standard care. Interventions included two-day training in technical and communication skills of ASHAs followed by supportive supervision in the field. Intervention was evaluated by comparing pre and post training scores, feedback from postnatal mothers and a difference-in-difference (DID) analysis on baseline and endline knowledge-practice survey of recently delivered mothers with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Only 11.1% ASHAs addressed specific barriers for adopting healthy behaviors. Sixty eight (91.8%) ASHAs attended the training after which knowledge improved by 33.3% (p < 0.001). ASHAs in intervention areas were rated by mothers (n = 69) to have better communication skills (81.2% vs. 59.7%, p = 0.005), make more postnatal visits (52.2% vs. 22.2%; p < 0.001), give advice on newborn care (64% vs. 50.5%; p < 0.001) as compared to standard care area ASHAs. Endline survey (n = 1360) showed a significant improvement in frequency of antenatal visits (0.26;0.19-0.33), knowledge about free transport (0.12;0.05-0.18), better cord-care practices (0.15;0.07-0.22), kangaroo mother care (0.19;0.13-0.25), delayed first bath (0.13;0.06-0.20), restrictive handling (0.11;0.06-0.15) and hand-washing (0.19;0.13-0.25).

CONCLUSIONS

Quality improvement program can help improve ASHA's performance which in turn can address higher neonatal mortality in India.

Factors Associated with the Completion of the Continuum of Care for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Services in Ethiopia. Multilevel Model Analysis

Introduction:

Assuring completion of a continuum of maternal health care is a key program strategy to minimize morbidity and mortality of maternal and child. We aimed to examine completion of a continuum of care and its associated factors.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was analyzed from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between completion of a continuum of care and independent variables, in which each individual woman (level-1) nested within a community (level-2).

Results:

About 9.1% of Ethiopian women complete the continuum of care. Odds of completing continuum of care was more likely among those women formally employed (odds ratio, OR = 2.14; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.37–3.35), from the female-headed household (OR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.08–2.31), and gave birth at health facility (OR = 4.85; 95% CI: 1.75–13.37) than their counterpart. Maternal health services during antenatal care, such as blood pressure measured (OR = 4.31;95% CI: 2.47–7.52), informed about pregnancy complication (OR = 1.57;95% CI 1.61–2.11), and received tetanus injection (OR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.42–2.92) were associated with completion of continuum of care. Similarly, the perception of women that money is not a problem in accessing healthcare (OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.03–1.90) was significantly associated with completion of a continuum of care.

Conclusions:

Most women failed to complete the continuum of care. Factors related to individual, community, access to health services, and services provided during antenatal care were positively affect completion of the continuum of care. Therefore, effort should focus on the integration of maternal health care services and targeting those factors facilitating the completion of the continuum of care.

The effect of home-based intervention with professional support on promoting breastfeeding: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Low breastfeeding rate and high early cessation of breastfeeding are observed worldwide. There is a need to review the effects of home visits with professional support on promoting breastfeeding. The present study evaluated the efficacy of home visits on promoting breastfeeding outcomes (i.e., breastfeeding initiation rate, exclusive breastfeeding rate/duration, and breastfeeding rate/duration) using a systematic review.

METHODS

Search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, CENTRAL-Cochrane central register of controlled trials, PsycInfo, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted by February 28, 2019, to identify relevant studies.

RESULTS

A total of 26 studies were included. Fourteen of the included studies investigated rate/duration of exclusive breastfeeding; ten of them demonstrated a significant increase on the rate/duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Sixteen of the included studies investigated rate/duration of breastfeeding; four of them demonstrated a significant increase on the rate/duration of breastfeeding. Four studies evaluated initiation of breastfeeding and three of them did not show a significant effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that breastfeeding can be increased by home-based interventions with professional support. Support-based intervention is likely an effective way to promote breastfeeding.

Evidence on the effect of gender of newborn, antenatal care and postnatal care on breastfeeding practices in Ethiopia: a meta-analysis andmeta-regression analysis of observational studies

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association of gender of newborn, antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) with timely initiation of breast feeding (TIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices in Ethiopia.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

To retrieve all available literature, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, WHO Global Health Library, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases were systematically searched and complemented by manual searches. The search was done from August 2017 to September 2018.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All observational studies including cross-sectional, case-control, cohort studies conducted in Ethiopia from 2000 to 2018 were included. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment of included studies.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Study area, design, population, number of mothers (calculated sample size and participated in the study) and observed frequency data were extracted using Joanna Briggs Institute tool. To obtain the pooled effect size, a meta-analysis using weighted inverse variance random-effects model was performed. Cochran's Q X² test, τ² and I² statistics were used to test heterogeneity, estimate amount of total/residual heterogeneity and measure variability attributed to heterogeneity, respectively. Mixed-effects meta-regression analysis was done to identify possible sources of heterogeneity. Egger's regression test at p value threshold ≤0.01 was used to examine publication bias. Furthermore, the trend of evidence over time was examined by performing a cumulative meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Of 523 articles retrieved, 17 studies (n=26 146 mothers) on TIBF and 24 studies (n=17 819 mothers) on EBF were included in the final analysis. ANC (OR=2.24, 95% CI 1.65 to 3.04, p<0.001, I²=90.9%), PNC (OR=1.86, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.47, p<0.001, I²=63.4%) and gender of newborn (OR=1.31, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.68, p=0.04, I²=81.7%) significantly associated with EBF. ANC (OR=1.70, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.65, p=0.02, I²=93.1%) was also significantly associated with TIBF but not with gender of newborn (OR=1.02, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.21, p=0.82, I²=66.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

In line with our hypothesis, gender of newborn, ANC and PNC were significantly associated with EBF. Likewise, ANC was significantly associated with TIBF. Optimal care during pregnancy and after birth is important to ensure adequate breast feeding. This meta-analysis study provided up-to-date evidence on breastfeeding practices and its associated factors, which could be useful for breastfeeding improvement initiative in Ethiopia and cross-country and cross-cultural comparison.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42017056768.

Parent-targeted postnatal educational interventions in low and middle-income countries: A scoping review and critical analysis

OBJECTIVES

To identify and map existing postnatal educational interventions targeting parents in low and middle-income countries. A secondary objective is to conduct a critical analysis of the strengths and limitations of the educational strategies used for parent-targeted postnatal education. Design & data sources: Using scoping review methodology, MedLine, CINAHL, and SCOPUS were searched in October 2017.

REVIEW METHODS

All studies published after 2000 reporting on educational interventions that targeted parents from the period of birth to 6 weeks postnatally in low and middle-income countries were included. Studies were excluded if they targeted healthcare professionals or were community interventions that spanned antenatal to postnatal care. Title, abstract and full-text screening was conducted by two reviewers.

RESULTS

We initially identified 9284 articles with 77 articles included after title, abstract and full-text screening. Most of the studies were quantitative (94%) with over half published after 2014. Most studies (61%) targeted a single newborn care education intervention, of which 75% targeted breastfeeding. Interventions used on average three different methods of implementation (e.g., verbal, written information, counselling). Interventions were provided in the hospital (76%), at home (23%), at a clinic/hospital (8%), and/or virtually through an eHealth intervention, including phone or text messages (12%). Maternal outcomes primarily included knowledge, self-efficacy, anxiety and stress while newborn outcomes primarily included exclusive breastfeeding, weight gain at follow-up, and morbidities. Positive changes were found to occur for reported maternal outcomes (89%) and newborn outcomes (56%).

CONCLUSIONS

Parent-targeted education varied in terms of educational topics covered, method and location of intervention, and outcomes examined. While the best strategies of implementing postnatal education interventions to parents in low and middle-income countries is yet to be determined, evidence suggests that current interventions had a positive impact on parents' outcomes using a combined approach. Further work is needed to evaluate the impact on newborn outcomes and to identify the most effective methods and timing of the interventions.

"Everybody breastfeeds if they have milk": factors that shape exclusive breastfeeding practices in informal settlements of Mumbai, India

Background

In India, though breastfeeding is universally practiced, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates in urban informal settlements are low; and health programs face several challenges in promoting EBF. In this study, ensconced in one program area of a non-government organization, we focused on "positive deviant"- mothers who were able to practice EBF for six months and attempted to delineate factors that shaped their EBF practices. Typically, qualitative research from Lower and Middle Income countries on EBF has focused on understanding why women do not practice EBF; the converse perspective taken in this study has been less explored.

Methods

We employed the positive deviance approach which contends that important programmatic learnings can be attained from persons who adopt positive behaviours. We conducted twenty-five diverse, purposively sampled case-studies of "positive deviant" mothers from two urban informal settlements in Mumbai; and analysed these using a framework approach. The results were summarised using a socioecological framework (consisting of individual, interpersonal, organizational and environment levels).

Results

We found that mothers typically construed EBF as not giving breastmilk substitutes. Giving the infant minor supplements (water, honey) was not considered a violation of the EBF practice. The main themes that emerged as influencers of EBF included: at individual level, perceptions of having adequate milk; at interpersonal level, having role models who practiced EBF and having family support; at organizational level, advice from health workers (which was purported to play a secondary role); and at environmental level, financial constraints that limited access to supplements. One important finding was that women who practiced EBF could not always do it optimally; we encountered several instances of "poor EBF" practices, where mothers had breastfed infants inconsistently, allowing for long gaps between feeds, and had continued EBF even after six months.

Conclusions

There is an urgent need for health programs to clarify the meaning of EBF and counsel against "poor EBF" practices. Messages received by women from immediate family on EBF were powerful and families play an important role in the actualization of optimal EBF practices. Hence, it is imperative to counsel entire families on EBF rather than women alone.

Going home with baby: innovative and comprehensive support for new mothers

Shorter length of stay for postpartum mothers and their newborns necessitates careful community follow-up after hospital discharge. The vast amount of information given during the initial postpartum period can be overwhelming. New parents often need considerable support to understand the nuances of newborn care including newborn feeding. Primary health care and community services need to ensure there is a seamless continuum of care to support, empower, and educate new mothers and their families to prevent unnecessary hospital readmission and other negative health outcomes. The Healthy & Home postpartum community nursing program provides clinical communication and supports to bridge the gap between acute hospital and community follow-up care through home visits, a primary health care clinic, a breastfeeding center, a breastfeeding café, a postpartum anxiety and depression support group, bereavement support, and involvement in a Baby-Friendly Initiative™ coalition. Nurses working in the program have the acute care skills and resources to complete required health care assessments and screening tests. They are also international board-certified lactation consultants able to provide expert breastfeeding and lactation care. This paper describes how the Healthy & Home program has evolved over the past 25 years and offers suggestions to other organizations wanting to develop a postpartum program to meet the physical and mental health needs of postpartum families to promote maternal and infant wellbeing.

Health research in a turbulent region: the Reproductive Health Working Group

The Reproductive Health Working Group (RHWG) was established in 1988 in Cairo to advance research in the Arab countries and Turkey on the health of women, broadly defined. The paper considers the ways in which the group contributed to global health conversations through three examples of interdisciplinary research that, in privileging local contexts, modified or even challenged prevailing approaches to health and often raised entirely new issues for consideration. The three examples cited in the paper are: (i) the network's early research on reproductive morbidity; (ii) a broad set of ongoing studies on childbirth/maternal health; and (iii) emerging research on health and conflict. The paper discusses how the RHWG has strengthened research capability in the region, and explores the reasons for the longevity of this research network.

Systematic review of strategies to increase access to health services among children over five in low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

The populations of many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are young. Despite progress made towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and remarkable health gains, evidence suggests that many children in LMIC are still not accessing needed healthcare services. Delayed or lack of access to health services can lead to a worsening of health and can in turn negatively impact a child's ability to attend school, and future employment opportunities.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review to assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing access to health services for children over 5 years in LMIC settings. Four electronic databases were searched in March 2017. Studies were included if they evaluated interventions that aimed to increase: healthcare utilisation, immunisation uptake and compliance with medication/referral. Randomised controlled trials and non-randomised study designs were included in the review. Data extraction included study characteristics, intervention type and measures of access to health services for children above 5 years of age. Study outcomes were classified as positive, negative, mixed or null in terms of their impact on access outcomes.

RESULTS

Ten studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Interventions were evaluated in Nicaragua (1), Brazil (1), Turkey (1), India (1), China (1), Uganda (1), Ghana (1), Nigeria (1), South Africa (1) and Swaziland (1). Intervention types included education (2), incentives (1), outreach (1), SMS/phone call reminders (2) and multicomponent interventions (4). All evaluations reported positive findings on measured health access outcomes; however, the quality and strength of evidence were mixed.

CONCLUSION

This review provides evidence of the range of interventions that were used to increase healthcare access for children above 5 years old in LMIC. Nevertheless, further research is needed to examine each of the identified intervention types and the influence of contextual factors, with robust study designs. There is also a need to assess the cost-effectiveness of the interventions to inform decision-makers on which are suitable for scale-up in their particular contexts.

Evaluation of Technology-Based Peer Support Intervention Program for Preventing Postnatal Depression: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Multiple international agencies, including the World Health Organization and the International Monetary Fund, have emphasized the importance of maternal mental health for optimal child health and development. Adequate social support is vital for the most vulnerable to postpartum mood disorders. Hence, an urgent need for sustainable social support programs to aid mothers ease into their new parenting role exists.

OBJECTIVE

This study protocol aims to examine the effectiveness of a technology-based peer support intervention program among mothers at risk for postnatal depression in the early postpartum period.

METHODS

A randomized controlled 2-group pretest and repeated posttest experimental design will be used. The study will recruit 118 mothers from the postnatal wards of a tertiary public hospital in Singapore. Eligible mothers will be randomly allocated to receive either the peer support intervention program or routine perinatal care from the hospital. Peer volunteers will be mothers who have experienced self-reported depression and will be receiving face-to-face training to support new mothers at risk of depression. Outcome measures include postnatal depression, anxiety, loneliness, and social support. Data will be collected at immediate postnatal period (day of discharge from the hospital), at fourth week and twelfth week post childbirth.

RESULTS

The recruitment and training of peer support volunteers (N=20) ended in June 2017, whereas recruitment of study participants commenced in July 2017 and is still ongoing. The current recruitment for new mothers stands at 73, with 36 in the control group and 37 in the intervention group. Data collection is projected to be completed by May 2018.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will identify a potentially effective and clinically useful method to prevent postnatal depression in new mothers, which is the top cause of maternal morbidity. Receiving social support from others who share similar experiences may enhance the positive parenting experiences of mothers, which in turn can improve the psychosocial well-being of the mothers, tighten mother-child bond, and enhance overall family dynamics for mothers and infants.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN14864807; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14864807 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xtBNvBTX).

The Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Web-Based and Home-Based Postnatal Psychoeducational Interventions for First-Time Mothers: Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

BACKGROUND

In addition to recuperating from the physical and emotional demands of childbirth, first-time mothers are met with demands of adapting to their social roles while picking up new skills to take care of their newborn. Mothers may not feel adequately prepared for parenthood if they are situated in an unsupported environment. Postnatal psychoeducational interventions have been shown to be useful and can offer a cost-effective solution for improving maternal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Web-based and home-based postnatal psychoeducational programs for first-time mothers on maternal outcomes.

METHODS

A randomized controlled three-group pre- and posttests experimental design is proposed. This study plans to recruit 204 first-time mothers on their day of discharge from a public tertiary hospital in Singapore. Eligible first-time mothers will be randomly allocated to either a Web-based psychoeducation group, a home-based psychoeducation group, or a control group receiving standard care. The outcomes include maternal parental self-efficacy, social support, psychological well-being (anxiety and postnatal depression), and cost evaluation. Data will be collected at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-delivery.

RESULTS

The recruitment (n=204) commenced in October 2016 and was completed in February 2017, with 68 mothers in each group. The 6-month follow-up data collection was completed in August 2017.

CONCLUSIONS

This study may identify an effective and cost-effective Web-based postnatal psychoeducational program to improve first-time mothers' health outcomes. The provision of a widely-accessed Web-based postnatal psychoeducational program will eventually lead to more positive postnatal experiences for first-time mothers and positively influence their future birth plans.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 45202278; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN45202278 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6whx0pQ2F).

Integrated Interventions Delivered in Health Systems, Home, and Community Have the Highest Impact on Breastfeeding Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Background: Improving breastfeeding rates is critical. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), only subtle improvements in breastfeeding rates have been observed over the past decade, which highlights the need for accelerating breastfeeding promotion interventions.Objective: The objective of this article is to update evidence on the effect of interventions on early initiation of and exclusive (<1 and 1-5 mo) and continued (6-23 mo) breastfeeding rates in LMICs when delivered in health systems, in the home or in community environments, or in a combination of settings.Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, and CABI databases to identify new articles relevant to our current review, which were published after the search date of our earlier meta-analysis (October 2014). Nine new articles were found to be relevant and were included, in addition to the other 52 studies that were identified in our earlier meta-analysis. We reported the pooled ORs and corresponding 95% CIs as our outcome estimates. In cases of high heterogeneity, random-effects models were used and causes were explored by subgroup analysis and meta-regression.Results: Early initiation of and exclusive (<1 and 1-5 mo) and continued (6-23 mo) breastfeeding rates in LMICs improved significantly as a result of interventions delivered in health systems, in the home or community, or a combination of these. Interventions delivered concurrently in a combination of settings were found to show the largest improvements in desired breastfeeding outcomes. Counseling provided in any setting and baby-friendly support in health systems appear to be the most effective interventions to improve breastfeeding.Conclusions: Improvements in breastfeeding practices are possible in LMICs with judicious use of tested interventions, particularly when delivered in a combination of settings concurrently. The findings can be considered for inclusion in the Lives Saved Tool model.

Schedules for home visits in the early postpartum period

BACKGROUND

Maternal complications including psychological and mental health problems and neonatal morbidity have been commonly observed in the postpartum period. Home visits by health professionals or lay supporters in the weeks following the birth may prevent health problems from becoming chronic with long-term effects on women, their babies, and their families.

OBJECTIVES

To assess outcomes for women and babies of different home-visiting schedules during the early postpartum period. The review focuses on the frequency of home visits, the duration (when visits ended) and intensity, and on different types of home-visiting interventions.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (28 January 2013) and reference lists of retrieved articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (including cluster-RCTs) comparing different types of home-visiting interventions enrolling participants in the early postpartum period (up to 42 days after birth). We excluded studies in which women were enrolled and received an intervention during the antenatal period (even if the intervention continued into the postnatal period) and studies recruiting only women from specific high-risk groups. (e.g. women with alcohol or drug problems).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Study eligibility was assessed by at least two review authors. Data extraction and assessment of risk of bias were carried out independently by at least two review authors. Data were entered into Review Manager software.

MAIN RESULTS

We included data from 12 randomised trials with data for more than 11,000 women. The trials were carried out in countries across the world, and in both high- and low-resource settings. In low-resource settings women receiving usual care may have received no additional postnatal care after early hospital discharge.The interventions and control conditions varied considerably across studies with trials focusing on three broad types of comparisons: schedules involving more versus fewer postnatal home visits (five studies), schedules involving different models of care (three studies), and home versus hospital clinic postnatal check-ups (four studies). In all but two of the included studies, postnatal care at home was delivered by healthcare professionals. The aim of all interventions was broadly to assess the wellbeing of mothers and babies, and to provide education and support, although some interventions had more specific aims such as to encourage breastfeeding, or to provide practical support.For most of our outcomes only one or two studies provided data, and overall results were inconsistent.There was no evidence that home visits were associated with improvements in maternal and neonatal mortality, and no consistent evidence that more postnatal visits at home were associated with improvements in maternal health. More intensive schedules of home visits did not appear to improve maternal psychological health and results from two studies suggested that women receiving more visits had higher mean depression scores. The reason for this finding was not clear. In a cluster randomised trial comparing usual care with individualised care by midwives extended up to three months after the birth, the proportions of women with Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) scores ≥ 13 at four months was reduced in the individualised care group (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.86). There was some evidence that postnatal care at home may reduce infant health service utilisation in the weeks following the birth, and that more home visits may encourage more women to exclusively breastfeed their babies. There was some evidence that home visits are associated with increased maternal satisfaction with postnatal care.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Increasing the number of postnatal home visits may promote infant health and maternal satisfaction and more individualised care may improve outcomes for women, although overall findings in different studies were not consistent. The frequency, timing, duration and intensity of such postnatal care visits should be based upon local and individual needs. Further well designed RCTs evaluating this complex intervention will be required to formulate the optimal package.

A systematic review of strategies to increase access to health services among children in low and middle income countries

Background

Universal Health Coverage is widely endorsed as the pivotal goal in global health, however substantial barriers to accessing health services for children in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) exist. Failure to access healthcare is an important contributor to child mortality in these settings. Barriers to access have been widely studied, however effective interventions to overcome barriers and increase access to services for children are less well documented.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing access to health services for children aged 5 years and below in LMIC. Four databases (EMBASE, Global Health, MEDLINE, and PSYCINFO) were searched in January 2016. Studies were included if they evaluated interventions that aimed to increase: health care utilisation; immunisation uptake; and compliance with medication or referral. Randomised controlled trials and non-randomised controlled study designs were included in the review. A narrative approach was used to synthesise results.

Results

Fifty seven studies were included in the review. Approximately half of studies (49%) were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. Most studies were randomised controlled trials (n = 44; 77%) with the remaining studies employing non-randomised designs. Very few studies were judged as high quality. Studies evaluated a diverse range of interventions and various outcomes. Supply side interventions included: delivery of services at or closer to home and service level improvements (eg. integration of services). Demand side interventions included: educational programmes, text messages, and financial or other incentives. Interventions that delivered services at or closer to home and text messages were in general associated with a significant improvement in relevant outcomes. A consistent pattern was not noted for the remaining studies.

Conclusions

This review fills a gap in the literature by providing evidence of the range and effectiveness of interventions that can be used to increase access for children aged ≤5 years in LMIC. It highlights some intervention areas that seem to show encouraging trends including text message reminders and delivery of services at or close to home. However, given the methodological limitations found in existing studies, the results of this review must be interpreted with caution.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD420160334200

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2180-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Support for healthy breastfeeding mothers with healthy term babies

BACKGROUND

There is extensive evidence of important health risks for infants and mothers related to not breastfeeding. In 2003, the World Health Organization recommended that infants be breastfed exclusively until six months of age, with breastfeeding continuing as an important part of the infant's diet until at least two years of age. However, current breastfeeding rates in many countries do not reflect this recommendation.

OBJECTIVES

To describe forms of breastfeeding support which have been evaluated in controlled studies, the timing of the interventions and the settings in which they have been used.To examine the effectiveness of different modes of offering similar supportive interventions (for example, whether the support offered was proactive or reactive, face-to-face or over the telephone), and whether interventions containing both antenatal and postnatal elements were more effective than those taking place in the postnatal period alone.To examine the effectiveness of different care providers and (where information was available) training.To explore the interaction between background breastfeeding rates and effectiveness of support.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register (29 February 2016) and reference lists of retrieved studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing extra support for healthy breastfeeding mothers of healthy term babies with usual maternity care.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

This updated review includes 100 trials involving more than 83,246 mother-infant pairs of which 73 studies contribute data (58 individually-randomised trials and 15 cluster-randomised trials). We considered that the overall risk of bias of trials included in the review was mixed. Of the 31 new studies included in this update, 21 provided data for one or more of the primary outcomes. The total number of mother-infant pairs in the 73 studies that contributed data to this review is 74,656 (this total was 56,451 in the previous version of this review). The 73 studies were conducted in 29 countries. Results of the analyses continue to confirm that all forms of extra support analyzed together showed a decrease in cessation of 'any breastfeeding', which includes partial and exclusive breastfeeding (average risk ratio (RR) for stopping any breastfeeding before six months 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88 to 0.95; moderate-quality evidence, 51 studies) and for stopping breastfeeding before four to six weeks (average RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.95; moderate-quality evidence, 33 studies). All forms of extra support together also showed a decrease in cessation of exclusive breastfeeding at six months (average RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.92; moderate-quality evidence, 46 studies) and at four to six weeks (average RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.89; moderate quality, 32 studies). We downgraded evidence to moderate-quality due to very high heterogeneity.We investigated substantial heterogeneity for all four outcomes with subgroup analyses for the following covariates: who delivered care, type of support, timing of support, background breastfeeding rate and number of postnatal contacts. Covariates were not able to explain heterogeneity in general. Though the interaction tests were significant for some analyses, we advise caution in the interpretation of results for subgroups due to the heterogeneity. Extra support by both lay and professionals had a positive impact on breastfeeding outcomes. Several factors may have also improved results for women practising exclusive breastfeeding, such as interventions delivered with a face-to-face component, high background initiation rates of breastfeeding, lay support, and a specific schedule of four to eight contacts. However, because within-group heterogeneity remained high for all of these analyses, we advise caution when making specific conclusions based on subgroup results. We noted no evidence for subgroup differences for the any breastfeeding outcomes.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

When breastfeeding support is offered to women, the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding is increased. Characteristics of effective support include: that it is offered as standard by trained personnel during antenatal or postnatal care, that it includes ongoing scheduled visits so that women can predict when support will be available, and that it is tailored to the setting and the needs of the population group. Support is likely to be more effective in settings with high initiation rates. Support may be offered either by professional or lay/peer supporters, or a combination of both. Strategies that rely mainly on face-to-face support are more likely to succeed with women practising exclusive breastfeeding.

Childcare workers' experiences of supporting exclusive breastfeeding in Kuala Muda District, Malaysia: a qualitative study

Background

The role of childcare workers at registered nurseries in supporting exclusive breastfeeding practice is important, as many newborn babies are placed in nurseries during working hours. To increase exclusive breastfeeding rates among working mothers, understanding childcare workers’ experiences and needs relating to supporting these mothers is crucial. This study aimed to explore childcare workers’ experiences of supporting breastfeeding at registered nurseries.

Methods

We used a qualitative design to conduct in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ten childcare workers at seven registered nursery centres in Kuala Muda District, Malaysia. Attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding practice, experiences of breastfeeding training and information, and experiences supporting exclusive breastfeeding at the nursery were explored. Participants were asked to suggest improvements for exclusive breastfeeding practice at their nursery. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated before analysis.

Results

All participants demonstrated a positive attitude in supporting and promoting exclusive breastfeeding practice, mainly centred on the advantages of breastfeeding. Various supports have been found such as labelling bottled breastmilk, allowing the mother to come to the nursery during breaks, and providing reading materials. However, several issues emerged that include parents’ choice on infant feeding practice, insufficient content on breastfeeding topics during training, and adherence to the (not recommended) practice of bottle feeding expressed breastmilk. Recommendations to enhance breastfeeding were also suggested by participants.

Conclusion

Childcare workers may serve as another potential resource for sustaining exclusive breastfeeding at registered nurseries.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13006-016-0095-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Psychometric properties of the Postpartum Women Health Quotient Scale among Chinese post partum women

OBJECTIVE

to examine the psychometric properties of a newly developed Postpartum Women's Health Quotient Scale (PWHQS) for Chinese post partum women.

DESIGN

a cross-sectional survey of post partum women was conducted.Categorical confirmatory factor analysis (CCFA) models were applied to examine the factorial structure of the PWHQS; test information function (TIF) was used to examine reliability of PWHQS subscales; and measurement invariance was examined by testing differential item functioning (DIF) using a multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) model.

SETTING

two large hospitals with a level 3A designation in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.

PARTICIPANTS

a convenience sample of 395 post partum women was recruited from April to September 2014.

MEASUREMENT

the PWHQS consists of 31 items with 5 subscales: health consciousness (HC, 6 items), maternal health knowledge (MHK, 8 items), infant health knowledge (IHK, 6 items), maternal health care ability (MHCA, 5 items), and infant health care ability (IHCA, 6 items).

FINDINGS

PWHQS has a valid factorial structure with five dimensions as theoretically designed. Each of its subscales has adequate reliability that is particularly high over the lower-moderate range of the factor score scale. Measurement non-invariance in PWHQS is very limited as only two of the 31 items displayed DIF related to one grouping variable (Age).

KEY CONCLUSION

PWHQS is a valid and reliable instrument that can be readily used as a screening tool to assess health quotient (HQ) among Chinese post partum women. PWHQS will also be useful for the development of interventions to help post partum women maintain and improve maternal and infant health. Further research to confirm the findings of the present study is desirable.

Home visits by community health workers to improve identification of serious illness and care seeking in newborns and young infants from low- and middle-income countries

The objectives of this review were to evaluate the effect of home visits by trained community health workers (CHWs) to successfully identify newborns and young infants (up to 59 days of age) with serious illness and improve care seeking from a health facility. The authors searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE and EMBASE. Abstracts of all articles were read by two authors independently and relevant articles selected. Data were extracted in a pretested questionnaire by two authors independently. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager software. A meta-analysis of included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was carried out. Pooled estimates (risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)) of the evaluated outcome measures were calculated by the generic inverse variance method. Seven articles were identified for inclusion in the review. None of them compared the diagnosis of serious illness in young infants by health workers to a 'gold standard' diagnosis. Three studies were available for evaluating the ability of CHWs to identify seriously ill young infants/signs of serious illness. These studies suggest that sensitivity to identify serious illness ranged from 33.3 to 90.5% and specificity from 75.61 to 98.4%. For the outcome of improved care seeking from a health facility, after pooling the data from six RCTs with 4760 subjects in the intervention and 4398 subjects in the control arm, there was a significant improvement in care seeking in the home visit arm (RR=1.35; 95% CI=1.15 to 1.58). Moderate quality evidence indicated that home visits by trained CHWs were associated with improved care-seeking for sick young infants from health facilities by appropriate health care providers in resource-limited settings. However, there is a lack of data regarding successful identification of serious illness. Evidence from validation studies supports the implementation of home visits by trained CHWs for improving outcomes in sick newborns and young infants in resource-limited areas. Further well-designed studies evaluating the effect of home visits by CHWs on successful identification of seriously ill newborns and young infants should include verification by a 'gold standard'.

Postpartum family planning: current evidence on successful interventions

We reviewed existing evidence of the efficacy of postpartum family planning interventions targeting women in the 12 months postpartum period in low- and middle-income countries. We searched for studies from January 1, 2004 to September 19, 2015, using the US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations to assess evidence quality. Our search resulted in 26 studies: 11 based in sub-Saharan Africa, six in the Middle East and North Africa, and nine in Asia. Twenty of the included studies assessed health facility-based interventions. Three were focused on community interventions, two had community and facility components, and one was a workplace program. Overall quality of the evidence was moderate, including evidence for counseling interventions. Male partner involvement, integration with other service delivery platforms, such as prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and immunization, and innovative product delivery programs may increase knowledge and use during the postpartum period. Community-based and workplace strategies need a much stronger base of evidence to prompt recommendations.

Models of Postnatal Care for Low-Income Countries: A Review of the Literature Abstract

PURPOSE:This review aims to identify the key features of effective models of postnatal care involving midwifery personnel and to determine which models may be appropriate for implementation in low-income countries.

STUDY DESIGN:A narrative synthesis of English language, peer-reviewed articles from 2004 to 2014 was undertaken. Four online library databases were searched. Inclusion/exclusion criterion and a quality appraisal were applied.

MAJOR FINDINGS:Twenty-two studies were included in the review, but only 4 were from low-income countries. Midwifery-led models of postnatal care are cost-effective to provide high-quality care in every settings for every women in respect of 2 core components of quality care that are woman-centered care and continuity of care. Midwifery postnatal care is provided at hospital, in community settings, and at home, all presenting different strengths and weaknesses. Combinations of models of midwifery postnatal care and collaboration between stakeholders have had positive impacts on the quality of postnatal care. To be completely effective, this requires a better management and support of midwifery personnel though. Women and midwifery personnel’s satisfaction needs to be considered to identify the local means and needs and to plan a suitable model of midwifery postnatal care at each location.

MAIN CONCLUSION:Low-income countries could develop a midwifery-led model of postnatal care. This will require identifying women and midwifery personnel’s needs and the available resources and involving the stakeholders collaboratively to provide a suitable model of midwifery postnatal care. Education and practice will need to be addressed as well as promotion to the population. There is a need to conduct more research on midwifery postnatal care in low-income countries to evaluate how to best use them and what aspect of the midwifery postnatal care can be strengthened.

Public Health Nurses and Mothers Challenge and Shift the Meaning of Health Outcomes

Maternal, child, and newborn health is a priority area in Canada and around the world. The work of public health nurses (PHNs) is often invisible and misunderstood. The purpose of this qualitative research project was to explore how universal and targeted home visiting programs for mothers and babies were organized, delivered, and experienced through the everyday practices of PHNs (n = 16) and mothers (n = 16) in Nova Scotia, Canada. Feminist poststructuralism and discourse analysis were used to analyze interviews. Concepts of relations of power enabled an understanding of how health outcomes had been socially and institutionally constructed through binary relations. PHNs and mothers spoke about the importance of "softer" health outcomes, including maternal self-confidence and empowerment that had been constructed as less important than health outcomes that were seen to be more tangible and physical. Findings from this research could be used to guide practice and planning of postpartum home visiting programs.

Innovative approaches for improving maternal and newborn health--A landscape analysis

Background

Essential interventions can improve maternal and newborn health (MNH) outcomes in low- and middle-income countries, but their implementation has been challenging. Innovative MNH approaches have the potential to accelerate progress and to lead to better health outcomes for women and newborns, but their added value to health systems remains incompletely understood. This study’s aim was to analyze the landscape of innovative MNH approaches and related published evidence.

Methods

Systematic literature review and descriptive analysis based on the MNH continuum of care framework and the World Health Organization health system building blocks, analyzing the range and nature of currently published MNH approaches that are considered innovative. We used 11 databases (MedLine, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane, Popline, BLDS, ELDIS, 3ie, CAB direct, WHO Global Health Library and WHOLIS) as data source and extracted data according to our study protocol.

Results

Most innovative approaches in MNH are iterations of existing interventions, modified for contexts in which they had not been applied previously. Many aim at the direct organization and delivery of maternal and newborn health services or are primarily health workforce interventions. Innovative approaches also include health technologies, interventions based on community ownership and participation, and novel models of financing and policy making. Rigorous randomized trials to assess innovative MNH approaches are rare; most evaluations are smaller pilot studies. Few studies assessed intervention effects on health outcomes or focused on equity in health care delivery.

Conclusions

Future implementation and evaluation efforts need to assess innovations’ effects on health outcomes and provide evidence on potential for scale-up, considering cost, feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability. Measuring equity is an important aspect to identify and target population groups at risk of service inequity. Innovative MNH interventions will need innovative implementation, evaluation and scale-up strategies for their sustainable integration into health systems.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-015-0784-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Continuum of Care in a Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Program in Ghana: Low Completion Rate and Multiple Obstacle Factors

Background

Slow progress has been made in achieving the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 in Ghana. Ensuring continuum of care (at least four antenatal visits; skilled birth attendance; postnatal care within 48 hours, at two weeks, and six weeks) for mother and newborn is crucial in helping Ghana achieve these goals and beyond. This study examined the levels and factors associated with continuum of care (CoC) completion among Ghanaian women aged 15–49.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted among women who experienced live births between January 2011 and April 2013 in three regions of Ghana. In a two-stage random sampling method, 1,500 women with infants were selected and interviewed about maternal and newborn service usage in line with CoC. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with CoC completion.

Results

Only 8.0% had CoC completion; the greatest gap and contributor to the low CoC was detected between delivery and postnatal care within 48 hours postpartum. About 95% of women had a minimum of four antenatal visits and postnatal care at six weeks postpartum. A total of 75% had skilled assisted delivery and 25% received postnatal care within 48 hours. Factors associated with CoC completion at 95% CI were geographical location (OR = 0.35, CI 0.13–0.39), marital status (OR = 0.45; CI 0.22–0.95), education (OR = 2.71; CI 1.11–6.57), transportation (OR = 1.97; CI 1.07–3.62), and beliefs about childhood illnesses (OR = 0.34; CI0.21–0.61).

Conclusion

The continuum of care completion rate is low in the study site. Efforts should focus on increasing postnatal care within 48 hours and overcoming the known obstacles to increasing the continuum of care completion rate.

Interventions to improve breastfeeding outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To provide comprehensive evidence of the effect of interventions on early initiation, exclusive, continued and any breastfeeding rates when delivered in five settings: (i) Health systems and services (ii) Home and family environment (iii) Community environment (iv) Work environment (v) Policy environment or a combination of any of above.

METHODS

Of 23977 titles identified through a systematic literature search in PUBMED, Cochrane and CABI, 195 articles relevant to our objective, were included. We reported the pooled relative risk and corresponding 95% confidence intervals as our outcome estimate. In cases of high heterogeneity, we explored its causes by subgroup analysis and meta-regression and applied random effects model.

RESULTS

Intervention delivery in combination of settings seemed to have higher improvements in breastfeeding rates. Greatest improvements in early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding rates, were seen when counselling or education were provided concurrently in home and community, health systems and community, health systems and home settings, respectively. Baby friendly hospital support at health system was the most effective intervention to improve rates of any breastfeeding.

CONCLUSION

To promote breastfeeding, interventions should be delivered in a combination of settings by involving health systems, home and family and the community environment concurrently.

The Effect of Integrating Family Planning with a Maternal and Newborn Health Program on Postpartum Contraceptive Use and Optimal Birth Spacing in Rural Bangladesh

Meeting postpartum contraceptive need remains a major challenge in developing countries, where the majority of women deliver at home. Using a quasi-experimental trial design, we examine the effect of integrating family planning (FP) with a community-based maternal and newborn health (MNH) program on improving postpartum contraceptive use and reducing short birth intervals <24 months. In this two-arm trial, community health workers (CHWs) provided integrated FP counseling and services during home visits along with their outreach MNH activities in the intervention arm, but provided only MNH services in the control arm. The contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) in the intervention arm was 15 percent higher than in the control arm at 12 months, and the difference in CPRs remained statistically significant throughout the 24 months of observation. The short birth interval of less than 24 months was significantly lower in the intervention arm. The study demonstrates that it is feasible and effective to integrate FP services into a community-based MNH care program for improving postpartum contraceptive use and lengthening birth intervals.

Behaviour change techniques and contraceptive use in low and middle income countries: a review

We aimed to identify effective behaviour change techniques to increase modern contraceptive use in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Literature was identified in Global Health, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Popline, as well as peer reviewed journals. Articles were included if they were written in English, had an outcome evaluation of contraceptive use, modern contraceptive use, contraceptive initiation/uptake, contraceptive adherence or continuation of contraception, were a systematic review or randomised controlled trial, and were conducted in a low or middle income country. We assessed the behaviour change techniques used in each intervention and included a new category of male partner involvement. We identified six studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The most effective interventions were those that involve male partner involvement in the decision to initiate contraceptive use. The findings also suggest that providing access to contraceptives in the community promotes their use. The interventions that had positive effects on contraceptive use used a combination of behaviour change techniques. Performance techniques were not used in any of the interventions. The use of social support techniques, which are meant to improve wider social acceptability, did not appear except in two of the interventions. Our findings suggest that when information and contraceptives are provided, contraceptive use improves. Recommendations include reporting of behaviour change studies to include more details of the intervention and techniques employed. There is also a need for further research to understand which techniques are especially effective.