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Arias J, Kurgansky G, Wei OC, Chan-Akeley R, Toma M. Fluid-structure interaction analysis of amniotic fluid with fetus and placenta inside uterus exposed to military blasts. Injury 2023; 54:110843. [PMID: 37270348 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2023.110843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pregnancy-related trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and fetuses. The fetal response to injury is largely dependent on the timing of fetal presentation and the underlying pathophysiology of the trauma. The optimal management of pregnant patients who have suffered an obstetric emergency depends on clinical assessment and understanding of the placental implantation process, which can be difficult to perform during an emergency. Understanding the mechanisms of traumatic injuries to the fetus is crucial for developing next-generation protective devices. METHODS This study aimed to investigate the effect of amniotic fluid on mine blast on the uterus, fetus, and placenta via computational analysis. Finite element models were developed to analyze the effects of explosion forces on the uterus, fetus, and placenta, based on cadaveric data obtained from the literature. This study uses computational fluid-structure interaction simulations to study the effect of external loading on the fetus submerged in amniotic fluid inside of the uterus. RESULTS Computational fluid-structure interaction simulations are used to study the effect of external loading on the fetus/placenta submerged in amniotic fluid inside the uterus. Cushioning function of the amniotic fluid on the fetus and placenta is demonstrated. The mechanism of traumatic injuries to the fetus/placenta is shown. DISCUSSION The intention of this research is to understand the cushioning function of the amniotic fluid on the fetus. Further, it is important to make use of this knowledge in order to ensure the safety of pregnant women and their fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Arias
- New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, 11568, New York, USA.
| | - Gregory Kurgansky
- New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, 11568, New York, USA.
| | - Ong Chi Wei
- Institute of High Performance Computing, 1 Fusionopolis Way #16-16 Connexis, Singapore, 138632, Singapore.
| | - Rosalyn Chan-Akeley
- Lang Research Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, Flushing, 11355, New York, USA.
| | - Milan Toma
- New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, 11568, New York, USA.
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Ahmed A, Rosella LC, Oskoui M, Watson T, Yang S. In utero Exposure to Maternal Diabetes and the Risk of Cerebral Palsy: A Population-based Cohort Study. Epidemiology 2023; 34:247-258. [PMID: 36722807 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence on the effects of in utero exposure to maternal diabetes on cerebral palsy (CP) in offspring is limited. We aimed to examine the effects of pregestational (PGDM) and gestational diabetes (GDM) separately on CP risk and the mediating role of increased fetal size. METHODS In a population-based study, we included all live births in Ontario, Canada, between 2002 and 2017 followed up through 2018 (n = 2,110,177). Using administrative health data, we estimated crude and adjusted associations between PGDM or GDM and CP using Cox proportional hazards models to account for unequal follow-up in children. For the mediation analysis, we used marginal structural models to estimate the controlled direct effect of PGDM (and GDM) on the risk of CP not mediated by large-for-gestational age (LGA). RESULTS During the study period, 5,317 children were diagnosed with CP (187 exposed to PGDM and 171 exposed to GDM). Children of mothers with PGDM showed an increased risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.84 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.59, 2.14]) after adjusting for maternal sociodemographic and clinical factors. We found no associations between GDM and CP (adjusted HR: 0.91 [0.77, 1.06]). Our mediation analysis estimated that LGA explained 14% of the PDGM-CP association. CONCLUSIONS In this population-based birth cohort study, maternal pregestational diabetes was associated with increased risk of CP, and the increased risk was not substantially mediated by the increased fetal size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Ahmed
- From the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laura C Rosella
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maryam Oskoui
- McGill University Health Center Research Institute (RI-MUHC), Child Health and Human Development Program, Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tristan Watson
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Seungmi Yang
- From the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Ahmed A, Rosella LC, Oskoui M, Watson T, Yang S. Prevalence and temporal trends of cerebral palsy in children born from 2002 to 2017 in Ontario, Canada: Population-based cohort study. Dev Med Child Neurol 2023; 65:243-253. [PMID: 35771681 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM To examine the prevalence and temporal trends of cerebral palsy (CP) overall and by population characteristics. METHOD We identified 2 110 177 live births born in the province of Ontario, Canada, between 2002 and 2017 using administrative health data and estimated CP prevalence in children aged 0 to 16 years overall and by specific population characteristics. We also examined temporal trends in CP rates - overall and by characteristics - in young children (0-4 years) by their year of birth between 2002 and 2013 (n=1 587 087 live births) to allow for an equal follow-up time (4 years and 364 days) for all children. RESULTS Overall CP prevalence among children aged 0 to 16 years was 2.52 (95% confidence interval 2.45-2.59) per 1000 live births. CP rates in ages 0 to 4 years peaked at 2.86 in 2007 births, but steadily declined afterwards to 1.94 per 1000 live births in 2013. CP rates were higher in children born preterm, small for gestational age, males, multiples, children with congenital malformations, and in children of young (<20 years), old (≥40 years), primiparous, or grand multiparous (≥4) mothers; differences by these characteristics decreased over time. We observed socioeconomic disparities in CP rates that persisted over time. INTERPRETATION Despite the decreasing trend of CP rates overall, CP rates varied by the child and maternal characteristics over time. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS Overall cerebral palsy (CP) prevalence was 2.5 per 1000 live births among children born from 2002 to 2017. CP prevalence peaked in children born in 2007 then steadily decreased between 2007 and 2013. Changes in CP rates varied over time by child and maternal characteristics. Socioeconomic inequalities in CP persisted and remained stable over the study period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Ahmed
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.,Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Laura C Rosella
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.,Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maryam Oskoui
- McGill University Health Center Research Institute (RI-MUHC), Child Health and Human Development Program, Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tristan Watson
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seungmi Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
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Ahmed A, Rosella LC, Oskoui M, Watson T, Yang S. In Utero Exposure to Maternal Injury and the Associated Risk of Cerebral Palsy. JAMA Pediatr 2023; 177:53-61. [PMID: 36441546 PMCID: PMC9706397 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.4535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Importance Although maternal unintentional injury during pregnancy has shown negative impacts on the mother and fetus, the evidence on its long-term associations with children's neurodevelopment is limited. Objective To examine the association between maternal unintentional injury and cerebral palsy (CP) in offspring. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a population-based, longitudinal, cohort study of all in-hospital live births born between April 1, 2002, and March 31, 2017, in a publicly funded health care system setting of Ontario, Canada. Infants born more than 20 weeks' gestation were included and followed up until March 31, 2018. Excluded from the analysis were stillbirths, infants with missing or invalid records, and births with missing or invalid birth characteristics. Data were analyzed from March 1 to June 30, 2021. Exposures Maternal unintentional injury during pregnancy ascertained based on inpatient or emergency department diagnoses. Main Outcomes and Measures CP diagnosis between birth and the end of follow-up in 2018 with the CP case definition of a single inpatient or 2 or more outpatient diagnoses at least 2 weeks apart between birth and age 16 years. Results Of 2 110 177 children included in this study (mean [SD] gestational age, 38.8 [1.9] weeks; 1 082 520 male [51.3%]), 81 281 (3.9%) were exposed in utero to maternal unintentional injury. During a median (IQR) follow-up time of 8 (4-12) years, 5317 children (0.3%) were diagnosed with CP (292 CP cases [5.5%] were exposed to maternal unintentional injury). The mean incidence rates of CP were 4.36 and 2.93 per 10 000 child-years in the exposed and the unexposed group, respectively. Children exposed to maternal unintentional injury had a modest increase in the risk of CP, compared with those unexposed (hazard ratio [HR], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.18-1.50) after adjusting for maternal sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Severe injuries that resulted in hospitalization and delivery within 1 week from the injury conferred higher risks of CP (adjusted HR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.29-3.68 and adjusted HR, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.93-6.00, respectively). Results were robust in multiple bias analyses. Conclusions and Relevance In this Canadian population-based birth cohort study, in utero exposure to maternal unintentional injury was associated with an increased risk of CP, with a higher risk with more severe injuries. These findings fill an important gap in knowledge on the potential role of maternal injury on children's neurodevelopment outcomes. Public health professionals and stakeholders should be aware of these potential long-term consequences on offspring when designing programs and providing recommendations about safety during pregnancy. Early monitoring and developmental assessment of children exposed to maternal injury might be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Ahmed
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura C. Rosella
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maryam Oskoui
- McGill University Health Center Research Institute, Child Health and Human Development Program, Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tristan Watson
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seungmi Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Saber M, Ortiz JB, Rojas Valencia LM, Ma X, Tallent BR, Adelson PD, Rowe RK, Qiu S, Lifshitz J. Mice Born to Mothers with Gravida Traumatic Brain Injury Have Distorted Brain Circuitry and Altered Immune Responses. J Neurotrauma 2021; 38:2862-2880. [PMID: 34155930 PMCID: PMC8820287 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) increases risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Physical assaults increase in frequency and intensity during pregnancy. The consequences of TBI during pregnancy (gravida TBI; gTBI) on offspring development is unknown, for which stress and inflammation during pregnancy worsen fetal developmental outcomes. We hypothesized that gTBI would lead to increased anxiety- and depression-related behavior, altered inflammatory responses and gut pathology, and distorted brain circuitry in mixed-sex offspring compared to mice born to control mothers. Pregnant dams received either diffuse TBI or sham injury (control) 12 days post-coitum. We found that male gTBI offspring were principal drivers of the gTBI effects on health, physiology, and behavior. For example, male, but not female, gTBI offspring weighed significantly less at weaning compared to male control offspring. At post-natal day (PND) 28, gTBI offspring had significantly weaker intralaminar connectivity onto layer 5 pre-frontal pyramidal neurons compared to control offspring. Neurological performance on anxiety-like behaviors was decreased, with only marginal differences in depressive-like behaviors, for gTBI offspring compared to control offspring. At PND42 and PND58, circulating neutrophil and monocyte populations were significantly smaller in gTBI male offspring than control male offspring. In response to a subsequent inflammatory challenge at PND75, gTBI offspring had significantly smaller circulating neutrophil populations than control offspring. Anxiety-like behaviors persisted during the immune challenge in gTBI offspring. However, spleen immune response and gut histology showed no significant differences between groups. The results compel further studies to determine the full extent of gTBI on fetal and maternal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Saber
- Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - J. Bryce Ortiz
- Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Luisa M. Rojas Valencia
- Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Bret R. Tallent
- Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - P. David Adelson
- Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Rachel K. Rowe
- Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Jonathan Lifshitz
- Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Morikawa M, Yamada T, Kogo H, Sugawara M, Nishikawa A, Fukushi Y, Hirayama EK, Ishioka SI, Watari H. Effect of an educational leaflet on the frequency of seat belt use and the rate of motor vehicle accidents during pregnancy in Japan in 2018: a prospective, non-randomised control trial with a questionnaire survey. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e031839. [PMID: 31542766 PMCID: PMC6756446 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether an educational leaflet had any effect on seat belt use, seat preference and motor vehicle accidents rate during pregnancy in Japan. DESIGN Prospective, non-randomised control trial with a questionnaire survey. SETTING Eight obstetric hospitals in Sapporo, Japan. PARTICIPANTS 2216 pregnant women, of whom 1105 received the leaflet (intervention group) and 1111 did not (control group). INTERVENTIONS Distribution of an educational leaflet on seat belt use to women in the intervention group. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES The effect of an educational leaflet on seat belt use, each pregnant woman's seat preference and the women's rates of motor vehicle accidents rate during their pregnancies. To evaluate the effects, the intervention group's responses to the questionnaires were compared with those of the control group. RESULTS The proportion of subjects who always used seat belts during pregnancy was significantly higher in the intervention group (91.3%) than in the control group (86.7%; p=0.0005). Among all subjects, the percentage of women who preferred the driver's seat was lower during pregnancy (27.0%) than before pregnancy (38.7%), and the percentage of women who preferred the rear seat was higher during pregnancy (28.8%) than before pregnancy (21.0%). These two rates did not differ between two groups. Seventy-one women (3.2%) reported experiencing a motor vehicle accident during pregnancy. The motor vehicle accident rate for the intervention group (3.3%) was similar to that for the control group (3.2%). CONCLUSIONS An educational seat belt leaflet was effective in raising the rate of consistent seat belt use during pregnancy, but it did not decrease the rate of motor vehicle accidents. The wearing of seat belts should be promoted more extensively among pregnant women to decrease rates of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality from motor vehicle accidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamoru Morikawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, JCHO Hokkaido Hospital, Sapporo, Japan, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Kogo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Maternity Women's Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masaki Sugawara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Toho Hospital, Sapporo, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Akira Nishikawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NTT East Sapporo General Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Fukushi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Emi Kato Hirayama
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo City General Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Ishioka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hidemichi Watari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Yasuoka J, Nanishi K, Kikuchi K, Suzuki S, Ly P, Thavrin B, Omatsu T, Mizutani T. Barriers for pregnant women living in rural, agricultural villages to accessing antenatal care in Cambodia: A community-based cross-sectional study combined with a geographic information system. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194103. [PMID: 29554118 PMCID: PMC5858830 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Maternal morbidity and mortality is still a major public health issue in low- and middle-income countries such as Cambodia. Improving access to antenatal care (ANC) services for pregnant women has been widely recognized as one of the most effective means of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. As such, this study examined the barriers for pregnant women living in rural, agricultural villages to accessing ANC based on data collected in the Ratanakiri province, one of the least developed provinces in Cambodia, using a combination of a community-based cross-sectional survey and a geographic information system (GIS). Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 377 mothers with children under the age of two living in 62 villages in the Ratanakiri province, Cambodia, in December 2015. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to ask mothers about their ANC service use, knowledge of ANC, barriers to accessing health facilities, and complications they experienced during the most recent pregnancy. At the same time, GIS data were also collected using a Global Positioning System (GPS) to accurately measure actual travel distance of pregnant women to access health facilities and to examine geographical and environmental barriers in greater detail. Results Only a third of the mothers met the recommendations made by the World Health Organization (WHO) of receiving ANC four times or more (achieved ANC4+), and a quarter of the mothers had never received ANC during their most recent pregnancy. Factors positively associated with achieving ANC4+ were mother’s secondary or higher education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74, 17.37), being aware that receiving ANC is recommended (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.25, 6.00), and knowledge about the recommended frequency for ANC (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI: 7.22). Actual travel distance was negatively associated with achieving ANC4+. Mothers who had to travel 10.0–14.9 km were 68% less likely (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.99), and those who had to travel 15.0 km or longer were 79% less likely (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.62) to have achieved ANC 4+, both compared to those who travelled 5.0 km or less. While most previous studies have used a straight-line to measure distance traveled, this study much more accurately measured the actual distance traveled by using a GIS. As a result, there was a statistically significant discrepancy between actual travel distance and straight-line distance. Conclusions This study revealed promoting factors and barriers for ANC use among pregnant women living in remote, agricultural villages in Cambodia. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of measuring travel distances accurately to ensure that targeted interventions for ANC are not misguided by straight-line distances. The methodology used in this study can be applied widely to other developing countries, especially in remote areas with limited road networks where there may be a large discrepancy between actual and straight-line distances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Yasuoka
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Keiko Nanishi
- Office of International Academic Affairs, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kimiyo Kikuchi
- Graduate Education and Research Training Program in Decision Science for Sustainable Society, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Sumihiro Suzuki
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, United States of America
| | - Po Ly
- National Center for Parasitology, Entomology & Malaria Control (CNM), Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Boukheng Thavrin
- National Center for Parasitology, Entomology & Malaria Control (CNM), Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Tsutomu Omatsu
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Mizutani
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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