Late antenatal care initiation and neonatal outcomes in an ethnically diverse maternal cohort

Background

Ethnic minority status and maternal socio-economic deprivation are linked to delayed access to health care during pregnancy. The link between late antenatal care initiation and neonatal outcomes in settings with high ethnic diversity and social disadvantage is seldom explored. This study examined associations between late antenatal care initiation (first antenatal appointment >12 weeks gestation) and neonatal outcomes of preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation) and low birth weight (<2500 g) in an ethnically diverse socially disadvantaged maternal cohort.

Methods

A retrospective cross sectional study using routinely collected anonymous data of singleton births between April 2007 - March 2016 from a large UK National Health Service maternity unit in an ethnically diverse, socially disadvantaged area. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between late antenatal care initiation and prevalence of preterm birth and low birth weight.

Results

Of the 46,307 singleton births recorded, more than one third (34.8%) were to mothers from Black African, Black Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi mothers. Gestational week at first antenatal appointment was available for 99.31% births among which 79.2% had their first appointment at ≤ 12 weeks, 12% at 13-20 weeks, and 8.8% at > 20 weeks. Mothers who booked at 13+ weeks were significantly more likely to have a preterm and/or low birth weight baby. Compared to mothers who booked at ≤ 12 weeks, those booking at > 20 weeks were 4.08 times (95% CI: 3.29,5.07) as likely to have an extremely preterm baby (<28 weeks of gestation) and 3.12 (CI 2.66, 3.67) times as likely to have a baby born with extremely low birthweight (<1500g).

Conclusions

Mothers in ethnically diverse socially deprived areas who started antenatal care late were at increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Targeted intervention programmes and services are needed to support these mothers.

Key messages

Ethnic minority women’s interactions with antenatal care providers in Europe

Background

Ethnic minority women are at greater risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. Antenatal care reduces risks of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes and supports a positive transition to motherhood. Important components of quality antenatal care are interactions between women and care providers which are supportive and empowering.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review to identify and synthesise qualitative evidence on ethnic minority women's experiences of accessing antenatal care in European countries. Following a comprehensive search of 8 databases and two-step screening process, we included 27 studies from various European countries. Study findings were coded and synthesised using a ‘best-fit' framework approach.

Findings

Overall women expressed satisfaction with their antenatal care, frequently framed in relation to experiences of maternity care in countries of origin. Women highly valued interactions with antenatal care providers which were supportive and trust-inducing, and when there was continuity of carer to facilitate this. However, studies frequently showed a dichotomy between reported satisfaction with antenatal care and experiences of interactions with care providers which could be discriminatory, stigmatising and disempowering. Some women blamed themselves for negative interactions. Language barriers were frequently identified by women as a factor which hindered their communication with antenatal care providers and the subsequent quality of care received, when suitable interpreters were not available. Negative interactions with antenatal care providers could result in a withdrawal from ongoing antenatal care for some women.

Conclusions

This review highlights the importance of quality interactions between ethnic minority women and antenatal care providers. Policy implications: Antenatal care should be provided in such a way as to facilitate trust, support and effective communication between women and care providers.

Key messages

Positive interactions with care providers form an important element of quality antenatal care for ethnic minority women in Europe. Trust, support and the provision of suitable interpreters, where needed, contribute to positive interactions with antenatal care providers for ethnic minority women in Europe.

Barriers and facilitators to genetic testing amongst Black African women in the UK

Background

Black African women have the lowest attendance of genetic testing services and the highest mortality rate of breast and ovarian cancer amongst women from ethnic minority groups in the UK. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators to genetic testing to enable these women to make informed choices if found eligible.

Methods

A qualitative approach was used to explore the perceptions surrounding genetic testing amongst Twenty-four women aged 23-57 Black African women in Luton. Purposive sampling combined with snowballing sampling was used as a recruitment technique.

Results

The findings revealed that most of the participants had no awareness or knowledge of genetic testing and limited knowledge of their family medical history for eligibility to attend genetic testing services. Facilitators including family member's health, funding by the National Health services and accessibility and awareness and education on genetic testing were identified.

Conclusions

This study sought to explore the perceptions of Black African women on barriers and facilitators to genetic testing to enable researchers to implement efficient intervention that would increase genetic testing attendance whilst addressing the other barriers and facilitators to alter Black African's women health seeking behaviours.

Key messages

Identify barriers and facilitators to genetic testing amongst Black African women in the UK. This study highlights the need for further research into health seeking behaviour among Black women that could contribute to the low uptake of genetic testing.

Prevalence of antenatal depression in South Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Antenatal depression carries significant adverse implications for the health and well-being of women, babies and their families. While prevalence of perinatal mental disorders in low-and lower-middle-income countries tends to be higher compared to high-income countries, rates tend to vary widely among countries in certain regions such as South Asia. This study estimated the pooled prevalence of antenatal depression in South Asia and examined variations in individual countries.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive search was conducted on thirteen electronic databases and grey sources for articles published between 1·1·2007 and 31·5·2018 from South Asian countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Studies reporting quantitative prevalence estimates of antenatal depression using a validated diagnostic/ screening tool identified, screened and appraised using a two-stage process. A meta-analysis was conducted using the proportion (%) of pregnant women identified as having antenatal depression as the primary outcome.

Results

Thirty-three studies involving 13,087 pregnant women were included in the meta-analysis. Overall pooled prevalence was 24·57% (95% CI: 19·34, 30·69). Prevalence rates for India (17·74%, 95% CI: 11·19, 26·96) and Sri Lanka (15·87%, 95% CI: 14·04, 17·88) were lower compared to the overall prevalence whereas the rates for Pakistan (32·2%, 95% CI: 23·11, 42·87) and Nepal (50%, 95% CI: 35·64,64·36) were higher.

Conclusions

While robust prevalence studies are sparse in most South Asian countries, one in four pregnant women is likely to experience antenatal depression in the region. The issue needs to be recognised in health policy and practice for resource allocation and capacity building at regional and national levels for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Key messages

One in four pregnant women is likely to experience antenatal depression in South Asia region. Targeted efforts are needed at national and regional levels for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus among pregnant women in Nigeria

Background

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection among pregnant women has been associated with a number of adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Nigeria accounts for about 10% of the HIV/AIDS burden worldwide and has the second highest incidence of new HIV infections among women globally. This study estimated the overall prevalence of HIV among pregnant women in Nigeria and examined variations across the geo-political zones of the country.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive search was conducted using eight electronic databases and grey sources for studies published from 1·1·2008 to 31·8·2019. Primary studies reporting prevalence estimates of HIV among pregnant women diagnosed using a diagnostic/ screening test were identified, screened and appraised using a two-stage process. A meta-analysis was conducted with the primary outcome measure as proportion (%) of pregnant women identified as having HIV infection.

Results

Twenty three eligible studies involving 72,728 pregnant women were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of HIV among pregnant women was 7·22% (95% CI: 5·64, 9·21). A high degree of heterogeneity (I2=97·2%) and publication bias (p = 0.728) was reported. Prevalence rate for South-East geo-political zone (17·04%, 95% CI: 9·01, 29·86) was higher compared to the overall prevalence.

Conclusions

Findings imply that 7 out of every 100 pregnant women in Nigeria are likely to have HIV infection. The magnitude of the issue highlight the need for targeted efforts at local, national and international levels towards prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Key messages

HIV infection among pregnant women is a major public health issue in Nigeria. Targeted efforts are needed at local, national and international levels towards prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

“Health Party” intervention on genetic testing for ethnic minority women: study protocol

Background

Culturally appropriate interventions are needed to improve the uptake of genetic counselling and testing among ethnically diverse communities. This study aims to assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a “Health Party” intervention to increase awareness, knowledge and uptake of genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer among ethnic minority women in the UK.

Methods

The “Health Party” intervention will include an educational session in a party setting. Participants will be taught by professionals about genetic testing and how to access genetic testing services in the UK National Health Service. We will recruit a sample of 60 women aged 18 years and over from key ethnic minority groups in the UK (Black African, Black Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) and will conduct four community based sessions, each with about 15 participants. The outcomes will primarily relate to recruitment and attrition rates, data collection, study resources and intervention delivery. A quantitative pre-post evaluation with measurements before, shortly after, and at 6 months following the intervention will be conducted to assess the preliminary effectiveness on awareness, knowledge and uptake of genetic testing. We will use three way mixed analysis of variance (MANOVA) to analyse changes pre- and post- intervention. The fidelity of the intervention including facilitation strategies, quality of delivery and participant response will be assessed.

Conclusions

Findings will establish the feasibility of the intervention and will provide insights into its effectiveness to increase the awareness, knowledge and uptake of genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer among women from ethnic minority groups in the UK.

Impact: Depending on its feasibility and effectiveness, the intervention can be used to help women from ethnic minority groups to make informed choices about genetic testing and improve early diagnosis and treatment of breast and ovarian cancer.

Key messages

“Health Party” may be a feasible intervention for ethnic minority women in the UK. “Health Party” intervention may increase awareness, knowledge and uptake of services.

Antenatal care initiation in an ethnically dense socially disadvantaged maternal cohort

Background

Differential utilisation of antenatal care among ethnic minority mothers is a contributor to their increased risk of poor birth outcomes in developed countries. Links between ethnicity, area deprivation and the timing of antenatal care initiation remain poorly understood. This study investigated patterns of antenatal care initiation among an ethnically dense, socially disadvantaged maternal cohort.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of routinely collected anonymous data of live singleton births in a maternity unit serving an ethnically diverse population. We applied univariate regression models to examine the association between late antenatal care initiation and various predictor variables in particular ethnicity and area deprivation.

Results

Gestational week at antenatal initiation was available for 46, 089 births. One fifth (20.9%) of mothers initiated antenatal care after 12 weeks of gestation including 11.9% who had their first antenatal appointment at 13 -20 weeks (moderately late) and 8.9% who had it later than 20 weeks (extremely late). Among all the factors considered, late initiation was most strongly associated with non-White British ethnicity. Black African (34.2%) and Black Caribbean (29.0%) mothers were more than twice as likely to initiate antenatal care after 12 weeks of gestation compared to White British mothers [Odds ratio (OR)= 2.69 and 2.15 respectively). The odds did not increase with increasing area deprivation except for moderately late initiation in the most deprived and second most deprived areas [unadjusted OR = 1.54 and 1.24 respectively].

Conclusions

Non-White British ethnicity was the key predictor of late antenatal care initiation in our ethnically dense socially disadvantaged maternal cohort. Impact: Programs and policies should take in to account ethnic variations in antenatal care initiation while designing programs and policies to improve birth outcomes in ethnically dense socially disadvantaged areas.

Key messages

Non-White British ethnicity was the key predictor of late antenatal care initiation. Area deprivation per se appeared to have limited association with late antenatal care initiation.

Stakeholder perspectives on public-private partnership in health service delivery in Sindh province of Pakistan: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to explore the perspectives of stakeholders on public-private partnership (PPP) in healthcare service delivery in Sindh province of Pakistan including the reasons for adopting such policies and the barriers for its implementation.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a qualitative primary study.

METHODS

Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 stakeholders, including officials from provincial government and district administration (legislators, district managers, deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners) and representatives from private sector organisations with direct or indirect role in implementation of PPP policy, selected using purposive sampling methods. Data were analysed using a thematic approach.

RESULTS

Participants had very limited in-depth understanding about the concept of PPP. They considered multifaceted corruption in the health system and the success of existing PPP initiatives as the main reasons for the PPP policy adoption. Resistance from healthcare staff was perceived as the main barrier for implementation of PPP. There was a common perception that better monitoring capacity in the private sector management can be a cause of concern for public sector employees who may have become used to less efficient working. A common theme found in the narratives was the possible apprehensions from healthcare staff about the loss of their jobs.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated lack of effective engagement with key stakeholders and the resistance from healthcare staff as the key barriers for PPP implementation in Sindh, Pakistan. These findings provide useful insights for the successful implementation of such initiatives in Pakistan as well as in other similar settings.

Risk factors of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence in South Asian countries: a systematic review of the evidence

OBJECTIVE

To assess and synthesize the published evidence on risk factors of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence in South Asia.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematically conducted narrative review.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted of all primary studies published between January 1990 and June 2013 from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives located through the following data bases: PubMed, PubMed central, EMBASE, MEDLINE, BioMed central, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and electronic libraries of the authors' institutions. Data extraction and quality appraisal of included studies was done independently by two authors and findings were synthesized in a narrative manner as meta-analysis was found to be inappropriate due to heterogeneity of the included studies.

RESULTS

Eleven primary studies were included in the final review, all of which were conducted in school settings in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Prevalence of overweight and obesity showed wide variations in the included studies. The key individual risk factors with statistically significant associations to overweight and obesity included: lack of physical activities reported in six studies; prolonged TV watching/playing computer games reported in four studies; frequent consumption of fast food/junk food reported in four studies; and frequent consumption of calorie dense food items reported in two studies. Family level risk factors included higher socioeconomic status reported in four studies and family history of obesity reported in three studies.

CONCLUSION

This review provides evidence of key contributors to the increasing burden of obesity and overweight among children and adolescents in South Asia, and demonstrates the nutritional transition that characterizes other developing countries and regions around the world. The findings have implications for policy, practice and the development of interventions at various levels to promote healthy eating and physical activity among children and adolescents in the region as well as more globally.