Assessing pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe: Results from a systematic chart review

Clinical teaching practices in maternal mental health care: An integrated review

WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE TOPIC?: Mental health-related problems in pregnancy are now becoming a global health concern. However, most studies have reported that midwives are unable to assess and support maternal mothers due to poor preservice education. The findings of these studies needed to be explored further from the available literature to address the gap. WHAT DOES THE PAPER ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The paper has identified maternal mental health core competencies and innovative clinical teaching strategies that nurse educators can utilize when supporting students theoretically and during clinical practice so that students should be adequately prepared for maternal mental health practice. Challenges and recommendations for clinical teaching were also identified. However, there are still gaps in the literature related to the effectiveness of teaching strategies to promote competence acquisition in maternal mental health. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION?: The study results can be used by nurse educators to develop effective clinical teaching practices in maternal mental health care. The findings can be used in the development of best clinical teaching guidelines for maternal or perinatal mental health to be used by nurse educators for the undergraduate midwifery training programmes. ABSTRACT: Introduction Maternal mental health problems are commonly experienced by women; however, they are usually not adequately recognized and treated by midwives in Malawi. Evidence suggests poor preservice education by nursing colleges which affects the development of essential maternal mental health competencies. Aim The aim of the study was to review existing evidence on clinical teaching practices by nurse educators in teaching student midwives maternal mental health care. Method Integrative review method was used, and various databases were searched. Out of 1768 articles, 27 research articles met the inclusion criteria. The critical appraisal skills programme checklist tools were used to assess data quality. Thematic analysis was done by comparing, grouping and integrating data. Results Six themes emerged, namely: core maternal mental health competencies, professional regulation, interactive teaching strategies, collaborative partnerships, capacity building and shortage of resources. Discussion Clinical teaching is an important aspect of midwifery education. Utilizing student-centred teaching approaches helps students acquire competencies in maternal mental health care. Further research is required to identify the effectiveness of the clinical teaching methods. The Implication to Practice The study results can assist nurse educators to provide comprehensive clinical teaching practices in maternal mental health care which will aid in the development of maternal mental health competencies among student midwives.

Obstetric and neonatal outcomes in South Africa

BACKGROUND

Background epidemiologic population data from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), on maternal, foetal and neonatal adverse outcomes are limited. We aimed to estimate the incidence of maternal, foetal and neonatal adverse outcomes at South African maternal vaccine trial sites as reported directly in the clinical notes as well as using the 'Global Alignment of Immunization Safety Assessment in Pregnancy' case definitions (GAIA-CDs). GAIA-CDs were utilized as a tool to standardise data collection and outcome assessment, and the applicability and utility of the GAIA-CDs was evaluated in a LMIC observational study.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective record review of maternity and neonatal case records for births that occurred in Soweto, Inner City- Johannesburg and Metro-East Cape Town, South Africa, between 1st July 2017 and 30th June 2018. Study staff abstracted data from randomly selected medical charts onto standardized study-specific forms. Incidence (per 100,000 population) was calculated for adverse maternal, foetal and neonatal outcomes, which were identified as priority outcomes in vaccine safety studies by the Brighton Collaboration and World Health Organization. Outcomes reported directly in the clinical notes and outcomes which fulfilled GAIA-CDs were compared. Incidence of outcomes was calculated by combining cases which were either reported in clinical notes by attending physicians and/ or fulfilled GAIA-CDs.

FINDINGS

Of 9371 pregnant women enrolled, 27·6% were HIV-infected, 19·9% attended antenatal clinic in the 1st trimester of pregnancy and 55·3% had ≥1 ultrasound examination. Fourteen percent of women had hypertensive disease of pregnancy, 1·3% had gestational diabetes mellitus and 16% experienced preterm labour. There were 150 stillbirths (1·6%), 26·8% of infants were preterm and five percent had microcephaly. Data available in clinical notes for some adverse outcomes, including maternal- & neonatal death, severe pre-eclampsia/ eclampsia, were able to fulfil GAIA-CDs criteria for all of the clinically-reported cases, however, missing data required to fulfil other GAIA-CD criteria (including stillbirth, gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational hypertension) led to poor correlation between clinically-reported adverse outcomes and outcomes fulfilling GAIA-CDs. Challenges were also encountered in accurately ascertaining gestational age.

INTERPRETATION

This study contributes to the expanding body of data on background rates of adverse maternal and foetal/ neonatal outcomes in LMICs. Utilization of GAIA-CDs assists with alignment of data, however, some GAIA-CDs require amendment to improve the applicability in LMICs.

FUNDING

This study was funded by Pfizer (Inc).

DELIVER: A Safety Study of a Dapivirine Vaginal Ring and Oral PrEP for the Prevention of HIV During Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy represents a period of high HIV acquisition risk. Safety data for the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR) during pregnancy are limited. Here, we report data from the first 2 cohorts of pregnant participants in MTN-042/DELIVER, a phase 3b, randomized, open-label safety trial of DVR and oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC). MTN-042 is being conducted in 3 cohorts beginning with later gestational ages when risks of drug exposure are less.

METHODS

Eligible pregnant individuals aged 18-40 years in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe were randomized 2:1 to monthly DVR or daily TDF/FTC. Participants in cohort 1 initiated product use between 36 weeks 0 days (36 0/7 weeks) and 37 6/7 weeks gestation; participants in cohort 2 initiated product use between 30 0/7 and 35 6/7 weeks gestation. All participants continued product use until delivery or 41 6/7 weeks gestation. Pregnancy outcomes and complications were assessed and summarized using descriptive statistics and compared with local background rates obtained through a separate chart review.

RESULTS

One-hundred and fifty participants were enrolled into cohort 1 with 101 randomized to DVR and 49 to TDF/FTC. One-hundred and fifty-seven participants were enrolled into cohort 2 with 106 randomized to DVR and 51 to TDF/FTC. In both cohorts, pregnancy complications were rare and similar to local background rates.

CONCLUSION

In this first study of a long-acting HIV prevention agent in pregnancy, adverse pregnancy outcomes and complications were uncommon when DVR and TDF/FTC were used in the third trimester of pregnancy, suggesting a favorable safety profile for both prevention products.

The impact of COVID-19 on sexual behavior, HIV prevention interest, general healthcare access, and other HIV risk factors among trial participants in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted HIV prevention and care globally. The pandemic also had disproportionate impacts on the financial, emotional, and physical wellbeing of women and girls in East and Southern Africa, who were already at increased HIV vulnerability. This study aimed to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic and its response efforts impacted the sexual behavior, HIV prevention interest, general healthcare access, and other HIV risk factors of women and girls in HIV prevention studies.

Methods

Using the socio-ecological model (SEM), an explanatory sequential mixed-methods analysis was performed with data from four Microbicide Trial Network (MTN) studies on different populations-adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), pregnant persons, breastfeeding persons, and couples-in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Descriptive statistics for outcomes of interest were calculated within each study separately and Chi-squared tests of independence were performed to evaluate associations between study population and outcomes. Excerpts from study qualitative interviews were stratified into code reports which were then summarized into memos with key themes and considerations of the SEM framework to provide context to quantitative findings.

Results

Few participants (8/731) had known or suspected COVID-19 infection. Sexual frequency and alcohol use decreased most often among AGYW compared to pregnant or breastfeeding women and couples (p-value < 0.001). The pandemic had little impact on changes in reported HIV prevention interest or access to HIV prevention study products. Healthcare access was impacted for everyone, with couples most likely to report decreases in access (p-value < 0.001). From qualitative interviews, economic instability, adverse mental health, and increased violence due to COVID-19 caused increased strain on other factors related to HIV vulnerability.

Conclusions

While interest in HIV prevention did not change and a few HIV risks decreased for most women and girls, other vulnerabilities to HIV increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of continued access to HIV prevention for women and girls. More research is needed to better understand the long-term impact of COVID-19 on HIV prevention and vulnerability in community populations.

Safety surveillance for PrEP in pregnant and breastfeeding women

The risk of HIV acquisition is higher during pregnancy and postpartum than other times. Newly acquired maternal HIV infection associated with high primary viraemia, substantially increases the risk of vertical HIV transmission. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces the risk of HIV acquisition. Currently available products include oral tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/FTC), long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) and the dapivirine ring (DVR). All except oral TDF/FTC have limited safety data available for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women. The safety of new PrEP agents for pregnant women and the fetus, infant and child, either exposed in utero or during breastfeeding is an ongoing concern for health care workers and pregnant and breastfeeding women, particularly as the safety risk appetite for antiretroviral (ARV) agents used as PrEP is lower in pregnant and breastfeeding women who are HIV-uninfected, compared to women living with HIV taking ARVs as treatment. With the widespread rollout of TDF/FTC among pregnant women in South Africa and other low-middle income countries (LMIC) and the potential introduction of new PrEP agents for pregnant women, there is a need for safety surveillance systems to identify potential signals of risk to either the mother or fetus, measure the burden of such a risk, and where appropriate, provide specific reassurance to PrEP users. Safety data needs to be collected across the continuum of the product life cycle from pre-licensure into the post-marketing period, building a safety profile through both passive and active surveillance systems, recognising the strengths and limitations of each, and the potential for bias and confounding. Pharmacovigilance systems that aim to assess the risk of adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women exposed to PrEP and other agents need to consider the special requirements of pregnancy epidemiology to ensure that the data derived from surveillance are sufficiently robust to inform treatment policies. Here we review the known safety profiles of currently available PrEP candidates in women of child-bearing potential, pregnancy and breastfeeding and discuss pragmatic approaches for such surveillance in HIV-endemic LMICs.

Ferric carboxymaltose versus standard-of-care oral iron to treat second-trimester anaemia in Malawian pregnant women: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Anaemia affects 46% of pregnancies in Africa; oral iron is recommended by WHO but uptake and adherence are suboptimal. We tested a single dose of a modern intravenous iron formulation, ferric carboxymaltose, for anaemia treatment in Malawian pregnant women.

METHODS

In this open-label, individually randomised controlled trial, we enrolled women with a singleton pregnancy of 13-26 weeks' gestation in primary care and outpatient settings across two regions in southern Malawi. Women were eligible if they had capillary haemoglobin of less than 10·0 g/dL and negative malaria rapid diagnostic test. Participants were randomised by sealed envelope 1:1. Assessors for efficacy outcomes (laboratory parameters and birthweight) were masked to intervention; participants and study nurses were not masked. Participants were given ferric carboxymaltose up to 1000 mg (given once at enrolment in an outpatient primary care setting), or standard of care (60 mg elemental iron twice daily for 90 days), along with intermittent preventive malaria treatment. The primary maternal outcome was anaemia at 36 weeks' gestation. The primary neonatal outcome was birthweight. Analyses were performed in the intention-to-treat population for mothers and liveborn neonates, according to their randomisation group. Safety outcomes included incidence of adverse events during infusion and all adverse events from randomisation to 4 weeks' post partum. The trial is registered with ANZCTR, ACTRN12618001268235. The trial has completed follow-up.

FINDINGS

Between Nov 12, 2018, and March 2, 2021, 21 258 women were screened, and 862 randomly assigned to ferric carboxymaltose (n=430) or standard of care (n=432). Ferric carboxymaltose did not reduce anaemia prevalence at 36 weeks' gestation compared with standard of care (179 [52%] of 341 in the ferric carboxymaltose group vs 189 [57%] of 333 in the standard of care group; prevalence ratio [PR] 0·92, 95% CI 0·81 to 1·06; p=0·27). Anaemia prevalence was numerically lower in mothers randomly assigned to ferric carboxymaltose compared with standard of care at all timepoints, although significance was only observed at 4 weeks' post-treatment (PR 0·91 [0·85 to 0·97]). Birthweight did not differ between groups (mean difference -3·1 g [-75·0 to 68·9, p=0·93). There were no infusion-related serious adverse events or differences in adverse events by any organ class (including malaria; ≥1 adverse event: ferric carboxymaltose 183 [43%] of 430 vs standard of care 170 [39%] of 432; risk ratio 1·08 [0·92 to 1·27]; p=0·34).

INTERPRETATION

In this malaria-endemic sub-Saharan African setting, treatment of anaemic pregnant women with ferric carboxymaltose was safe but did not reduce anaemia prevalence at 36 weeks' gestation or increase birthweight.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (INV-010612).

The H-HOPE behavioral intervention plus Kangaroo Mother Care increases mother-preterm infant responsivity in Malawi: a prospective cohort comparison

BACKGROUND

Early behavioral intervention to promote development is recommended as the standard of care for preterm infants, yet is not provided in Malawi. One such intervention is H-HOPE (Hospital to Home: Optimizing the Premature Infant's Environment). In US studies, H-HOPE increased mother-preterm infant responsivity at 6-weeks corrected age (CA). Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) improves infant survival and is the standard of care for preterm infants in Malawi. This is the first study to examine whether H-HOPE is feasible and promotes mother-preterm infant responsivity in Malawi, and the first to examine the impact of H-HOPE when KMC is the standard of care.

METHOD

This pilot was conducted in a KMC unit using a prospective cohort comparison design. Because the unit is an open room without privacy, random assignment would have led to contamination of the control cohort. H-HOPE includes participatory guidance for mothers and Massage + , a 15 min multisensory session provided by mothers twice daily. H-HOPE began when infants were clinically stable and at least 32 weeks postmenstrual age. Mothers participated if they were physically stable and willing to return for follow-up. Mother-preterm infant dyads were video-recorded during a play session at 6-weeks CA. Responsivity was measured using the Dyadic Mutuality Code (DMC).

RESULTS

The final sample included 60 H-HOPE + KMC and 59 KMC only mother-preterm infant dyads. Controlling for significant maternal and infant characteristics, the H-HOPE + KMC dyads were over 11 times more likely to have higher responsivity than those in the KMC only dyads (AOR = 11.51, CI = 4.56, 29.04). The only other factor related to higher responsivity was vaginal vs. Caesarian delivery (AOR = 5.44, CI = .096, 30.96).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that H-HOPE can be provided in Malawi. Mother-infant dyads receiving both H-HOPE and KMC had higher responsivity at 6-weeks CA than those receiving KMC only. H-HOPE was taught by nurses in this study, however the nursing shortage in Malawi makes H-HOPE delivery by nurses challenging. Training patient attendants in the KMC unit is a cost-effective alternative. H-HOPE as the standard of care offers benefits to preterm infants and mothers that KMC alone does not provide.

Pregnancy and neonatal safety outcomes of timing of initiation of daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention (CAP016): an open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial

BACKGROUND

The safety of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in pregnant women not living with HIV is uncertain. We aimed to compare pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in women exposed and not exposed to PrEP during pregnancy.

METHODS

In this single-site, open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial in Durban, South Africa, we evaluated pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women aged 18 years or older, not living with HIV, and at 14-28 weeks' gestation at the time of enrolment. Eligible participants were randomly assigned (1:1) using a computer-generated permuted block (block size of ten) randomisation list to immediate initiation or deferred initiation of PrEP until breastfeeding cessation. Participants in the immediate PrEP group received a monthly supply of once daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg and emtricitabine 200 mg. Participants in the deferred PrEP group received standard of care for HIV prevention. The primary outcomes were the occurrence of preterm live birth (<37 weeks gestational age) and very preterm birth (<34 weeks gestational age) determined by menstrual dating, low birthweight (<2500 g), very low birthweight (<1500 g), stillbirth (≥20 weeks gestational age), and small for gestational age (birthweight less than the tenth percentile). Post-natal safety outcomes will be reported elsewhere. We used binomial regression models to estimate risk differences and two-sided 90% CIs. Immediate PrEP was non-inferior to deferred PrEP if the upper bound of the 90% CI of the risk difference was less than the upper predefined non-inferiority margin for preterm birth (7·5%), very preterm birth (2·6%), low birthweight (5·5%), very low birthweight (1·2%), stillbirth (1·0%), and small for gestational age (3·7%). All outcomes were analysed in the intention-to-treat population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT3227731.

FINDINGS

Between Sept 25, 2017, and Dec 6, 2019, we screened 693 women, of whom 540 were randomly assigned to immediate PrEP (n=271) or deferred PrEP (n=269). The median gestational age was 19 weeks (IQR 15-23 for immediate PrEP and 16-23 for deferred PrEP). The risk difference between the immediate PrEP group and the deferred PrEP group for preterm birth was -4·7% (90% CI -10·7 to 1·2; immediate PrEP was non-inferior), for very preterm birth was 0·6% (-3·4 to 4·6; upper limit exceeded the non-inferiority margin), for low birthweight was 2·5% (-1·6 to 6·6; upper limit exceeded the non-inferiority margin), for very low birthweight was 0% (-1·4 to 1·4; upper limit exceeded the non-inferiority margin), for stillbirth was 1·2% (-1·5 to 3·8; upper limit exceeded the non-inferiority margin), and for small for gestational age was 0·9% (-1·2 to 2·9; immediate PrEP was non-inferior).

INTERPRETATION

In our study, PrEP was not associated with preterm birth or small for gestational age infants. Our data support the use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine in pregnancy and our reassuring findings can be used to allay safety concerns among pregnant women.

FUNDING

South African Medical Research Council and Gilead Sciences.

Assessment of the adverse pregnancy outcomes and its associated factors among deliveries at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia

Background

Adverse pregnancy outcomes are the main causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and long-term physical and psychological sequels in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. In Ethiopia, maternal mortality remained high despite the country’s maximum effort. This study aimed to assess adverse pregnancy outcomes and associated factors among deliveries at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was done among deliveries at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018. The data was collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire by reviewing labor and delivery service log books and admission or discharge registration books. The data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Logistic regression analysis was computed to identify independent predictors of pregnancy complications.

Result

In this study, the magnitude of adverse pregnancy outcomes was 28.3%, 95% CI (25.7–30.9). The most frequently recorded obstetric complications were obstructed labor (7.4%), retained placenta (5.3%), and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (2.4%). Whereas stillbirths (10%), malpresentation (3%), and prematurity (2.3%) frequently occurred fetal/neonatal complications. There were 29 maternal deaths and the possible causes of death were obstructed labor (51.7%), hemorrhage (44.7%), eclampsia (24.1%), and sepsis (6.9%). Home delivery (AOR (CI = 4.12 (2.30–7.15) and low birth weight (AOR (CI = 1.63 (1.36–1.96) were significant associates of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusion

The magnitude of adverse pregnancy outcomes was high. Obstructed labor, retained placenta, hypertension in pregnancy, malpresentation, prematurity, and stillbirth are the commonest adverse pregnancy outcomes. Place of delivery and birth weight were independent predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Institutional delivery, early detection and management of complications, and adequate nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy should be encouraged to minimize the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Joint Modeling of Singleton Preterm Birth and Perinatal Death Using Birth Registry Cohort Data in Northern Tanzania

Understanding independent and joint predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes is essential to inform interventions toward achieving sustainable development goals. We aimed to determine the joint predictors of preterm birth and perinatal death among singleton births in northern Tanzania based on cohort data from the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) zonal referral hospital birth registry between 2000 and 2017. We determined the joint predictors of preterm birth and perinatal death using the random-effects models to account for the correlation between these outcomes. The joint predictors of higher preterm birth and perinatal death risk were inadequate (<4) antenatal care (ANC) visits, referred for delivery, experiencing pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, low birth weight, abruption placenta, and breech presentation. Younger maternal age (15-24 years), premature rupture of membranes, placenta previa, and male children had higher odds of preterm birth but a lessened likelihood of perinatal death. These findings suggest ANC is a critical entry point for delivering the recommended interventions to pregnant women, especially those at high risk of experiencing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Improved management of complications during pregnancy and childbirth and the postnatal period may eventually lead to a substantial reduction of adverse perinatal outcomes and improving maternal and child health.