Objectives: To examine the determinants of the continuum of maternal care from an integrated perspective, focusing on how key components of an adequate journey are interrelated.
Design: A facility-based prospective cohort study.
Setting: 25 health facilities across three counties of Kenya: Nairobi, Kisumu and Kakamega.
Participants: A total of 5 879 low-income pregnant women aged 13-49 years.
Outcome Measures: Ordinary least squares, Poisson and logistic regression models were employed, to predict three key determinants of the continuum of maternal care: (i) the week of enrolment at the clinic for antenatal care (ANC), (ii) the total number of ANC visits and (iii) utilisation of skilled birth attendance (SBA). The interrelationship between the three outcome variables was assessed with structural equation modeling.
Results: Each week of delayed enrolment in ANC reduced the number of ANC visits by 3% (incidence rate ratio=0.967, 95% CI 0.965 to 0.969). A higher number of ANC visits increased the relative probability of using SBA (odds ratio=1.28, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.34). The direct association between late enrolment and SBA was positive (odds ratio=1.033, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.04). Predisposing factors (age, household head's education), enabling factors (wealth, shorter distance, rural area) and need factors (risk level of pregnancy, multigravida) were positively associated with adherence to ANC.
Conclusion: The results point towards a domino-effect and underscore the importance of enhancing the full continuum of maternal care. A larger number of ANC visits increases SBA, while early initiation of the care journey increases the number of ANC visits, thereby indirectly supporting SBA as well. These beneficial pathways counteract the direct link between enrolment and SBA, which is partly driven by pregnant teenagers who both enrol late and are at heightened risk of complications, stressing the need for specific attention to this vulnerable population.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8765038 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050670 | DOI Listing |
PLoS One
January 2025
Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Background: Pakistan has experienced a significant reduction in maternal mortality with a decline of 33 percent between 2006 and 2019. However, the country still grapples with a high number (186 per 100,000 live births) of maternal deaths each year. This study aims to identify socio-demographic and health system related factors associated with maternal mortality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST), Kohat, Pakistan.
The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) to control febrile neutropenia (FN) caused by anti-cancer chemotherapy is well documented but it still needs to evaluated with respect to the specific type of cancer and chemotherapeutic agents. The present study evaluates the efficacy of adjunctive GCSF for treating FN after taking anticancer therapy by measuring clinical, hematological and microbiological outcomes. It is a single center study conducted at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Peshawar, Pakistan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
January 2025
Makerere University - Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.
Introduction: We assessed the risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and birth defects among women living with HIV (WLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV-negative women.
Methods: We analyzed data on live births, stillbirths, and spontaneous abortions during 2015-2021 from a hospital-based birth defects surveillance system in Kampala, Uganda. ART regimens were recorded from hospital records and maternal self-reports.
BMC Nutr
December 2024
School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
Background: Inadequate consumption of vitamin A during lactation significantly increases the risk of vitamin A deficiency disorders. However, there is scarce evidence on the consumption status of vitamin A-rich foods among lactating mothers in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of inadequate consumption of vitamin A-rich foods and associated factors among lactating mothers visiting public health facilities for child immunization and postnatal care in Girawa District, Eastern Ethiopia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMJ Glob Health
December 2024
Muso, Bamako, Mali; San Francisco, USA.
Introduction: Despite recommendations from the WHO, antenatal care (ANC) coverage remains low in many low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Community health workers (CHWs) can play an important role in expanding ANC coverage through pregnancy identification, provision of health education, screening for complications, delivery of therapeutic care and referral to higher levels of care. However, despite the success of CHW programmes in various countries, WHO has called for additional research to develop evidence-based models that optimise CHW service delivery and that can be replicated across geographies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!