Born in Brazil: shining a light for change

Are Primary Health Care Features Associated with Reduced Late Neonatal Mortality in Brazil? An Ecological Study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect and efficiency of the characteristics of PHC facilities' structures and the work process of PHC teams on late neonatal mortality (LNM).

METHODS

This ecological time-series study adopted 3.764 Brazilian municipalities as analysis units. The independent variables were sorted into three hierarchical levels and four blocks. The distal level consisted of economic and demographic variables; the intermediate level comprised health coverage and demand for services; and the proximal level included structure and work process. The dependent variable was LNM. A linear mixed-effects regression analysis with a hierarchical approach was performed, estimating the crude (β) and adjusted (alpha = 5%) regression coefficients. Data involution analysis and municipalities were the decision-making unit according to their strata.

RESULTS

LNM was directly associated with the number of live births and unemployment rate. LNM was inversely associated with the year, per capita income, the community health worker's strategy coverage, vaginal delivery, household visits, and available vaccines. In the 2002-2014 period, the number of municipalities efficient in reducing LNM dropped from 38 to 27. In 2014, a more significant investment occurred in the number of vaginal deliveries in almost all strata to make inefficient municipalities efficient.

CONCLUSION FOR PRACTICE

The deaths of children aged 7-28 days are affected by the characteristics of the PHC structure and work process.

Bozlak C, A. Shaw B. Brazilian women's use of evidence-based practices in childbirth after participating in the Senses of Birth intervention: A mixed-methods study

Brazil has a cesarean rate of 56% and low use of Intrapartum Evidence-based Practices (IEBP) of 3.4%, reflecting a medically centered and highly interventionist maternal health care model. The Senses of Birth (SoB) is a health education intervention created to promote normal birth, use of EBP, and reduce unnecessary c-sections. This study aimed to understand the use of intrapartum EBP by Brazilian women who participated in the SoB intervention. 555 women answered the questionnaire between 2015 and 2016. Bivariate analysis and ANOVA test were used to identify if social-demographic factors, childbirth information, and perceived knowledge were associated with the use of EBP. A qualitative analysis was performed to explore women’s experiences. Research participants used the following EBP: birth plan (55.2%), companionship during childbirth (81.6%), midwife care (54.2%), freedom of mobility during labor (57.7%), choice of position during delivery (57.2%), and non-pharmacological pain relief methods (74.2%). Doula support was low (26.9%). Being a black woman was associated with not using a birth plan or having doula support. Women who gave birth in private hospitals were more likely not to use the EBP. Barriers to the use of EBP identified by women were an absence of individualized care, non-respect for their choices or provision of EBP by health care providers, inadequate structure and ambiance in hospitals to use EBP, and rigid protocols not centered on women’s needs. The SoB intervention was identified as a potential facilitator. Women who used EBP described a sense of control over their bodies and perceived self-efficacy to advocate for their chosen practices. Women saw the strategies to overcome barriers as a path to become their childbirth protagonist. Health education is essential to increase the use of EBP; however, it should be implemented combined with changes in the maternal care system, promoting woman-centered and evidence-based models.

Ampliando vozes sobre violência obstétrica: recomendações de advocacy para enfermeira(o) obstetra

Resumo Objetivos explorar as demandas das mulheres, bem como do público em geral, para melhorar a qualidade da assistência obstétrica; discutir as mudanças potenciais sugeridas pelos respondentes para tal prática assistencial. Método pesquisa multicêntrica realizada por meio da plataforma Opinio, explorando opiniões dos participantes de três cidades da região Sudeste do Brasil. Tratamento dos dados por estatística descritiva e análise temática. Resultados respondentes (n=414) na faixa etária 33-37 anos (26%), incluindo mulheres (75%) com mais de 15 anos de escolaridade, casadas (45%) e com um filho (35%), revelaram lacuna de conhecimentos sobre a violência obstétrica e os direitos da mulher. Jornal, rádio e televisão são as principais fontes de informação. O enfrentamento da violência obstétrica dar-se-ia por apoio familiar. Para a práxis renovada sugeriu-se a educação coletiva sobre direitos aos cuidados obstétricos (53,1%) e o atendimento humanizado (38,2%) mobilizando o poder profissional para consolidar a humanização. Temas analíticos centrais incluíram situação vivenciada pelas mulheres e contexto idealizado de prática. Conclusão e Implicações para a prática o debate incrementa a humanização e a governança compartilhada. Recomendações propostas para advocacy coadunam com a perspectiva global da promoção de saúde das mulheres e liderança social.

A change laboratory for maternity care in Brazil: Pilot implementation of Mother Baby Friendly Birthing Initiative

Disrespectful and abusive treatment of women during childbirth is a worldwide problem. This research aimed to develop and implement a Mother Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (MBFHI) in an academic maternity hospital in Brazil and evaluate how change could be sustained. Change Laboratory principles guided a process of action research, which was conducted between 2017 and 2019. Clinicians and managers joined the researchers in discussion sessions to redesign routines and care pathways. Observation, interviews, focus groups, and historical and documentary analysis provided information about the existing activity system, which we analysed qualitatively using MBFHI criteria to identify themes. Evidence of inappropriate obstetric interventions and impersonal interactions between clinicians and patients stimulated us to devise innovative solutions. The challenges identified by this exercise included: poor infrastructure and ambience; difficulty adhering to evidence-based protocols; social and professional hierarchies; and clinicians being poorly educated about women's rights. Although challenges remained, positive changes included a friendlier environment, improved patient privacy, and fewer unnecessary procedures. Resources released by these changes allowed us, collaboratively, to track the further implementation and sustainability of change. We conclude that the Change Laboratory can help motivated clinicians and managers humanise patients' experiences, make care more evidence-based, and expand learning of mother-friendly maternity care. Tensions and contradictions between education and patient care reported here may resonate in settings other than maternity care.