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Objective: In the present study we aimed to review the evolution and function of the maternal medicine multidisciplinary team (MMMDT) meeting of a maternal medicine service of a tertiary level stand‐alone maternity hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of all minutes of MMMDT meetings from 2014 to 2020, with the aim of evaluating meeting characteristics and patient demographics. Results: There were 575 multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussions of 486 women during 43 meetings in the 7 year period. On average, 13 (range 3–23; SD = 5.28) women were discussed at each meeting, attended by 17 (range: 11–27; SD = 4.26) attendees. There were 18 women discussed during successive pregnancies. When analyzing the 2017–2020 data, preconceptual discussions made up 7.3% (n = 42) of patients discussed, with 5.7% (n = 33) being postnatal. The mean maternal age was 32.5 years (range 15–48 years) and women were most likely to be discussed in the mid‐trimester period (21–24 weeks gestation). The top five primary specialities involved were hematology, neurology, rheumatology, neurosurgery and gastroenterology; however, 22 specialities were represented overall when classified by the primary medical condition. When examining the MDT input, hematology input was required in 144 patients (25.0%), radiology in 161 (28.0%) patients, and 117 in anesthesiology (20.3%). When examining the number of teams required to manage the patient, 80 women required the input of three specialities, with 16 women requiring the input of four specialities. Conclusion: We demonstrate the value and role of the MDT in the management of complex patients, providing a forum to discuss care in all phases of the obstetric journey. Synopsis: The maternal medicine MDT has evolved to become an essential part of practice, caring from women throughout the reproductive cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion Peripartum hysterectomy (PH), the surgical removal of the uterus during or shortly after childbirth, is a critical procedure in maternal health care. Definitions of PH vary globally, leading to challenges in understanding its occurrence. Our study aimed to provide comprehensive insights into PH in a South African context, investigating indications, demographic characteristics, clinical and histopathological diagnoses, complications, and outcomes.A retrospective record review study design was used, focusing on PH cases at a tertiary facility in Johannesburg, South Africa (SA), between January 2018 and December 2020. Medical records were systematically examined to identify trends, indications, and outcomes associated with PH. Data collection encompassed demographic characteristics, obstetric history, clinical indications, clinical and histopathological diagnoses, and complications. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, interrater reliability tests, and comparative findings with previous SA studies.The study included 56 pregnant women with a median age of 32 years (interquartile range: 25–35) who underwent PH between January 2018 and December 2020 at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in South Africa. We found that pregnancy‐related sepsis (PRS) emerged as the most common indication of PH, as reported among 18 (32.1%) of the women, with an 88.8% histopathological confirmation rate. Abnormal placentation (14/56, 25%) and PPH (8/56, 14%) were other common indications. Clinical and histopathological diagnoses exhibited a strong level of agreement (70.9%), emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnostics.Our study found a shift in the primary historical indications, such as uterine atony and uterine rupture in South Africa, with PRS emerging as the primary indication in recent years(2009‐2020). Clinical assessment complemented by histopathological findings remains critical for improved obstetric complication management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the present open label randomized controlled trial was to compare the rate of cesarean section (CS) after elective induction with that of expectant management in low‐risk nulliparous women at 39 weeks. Methods: This randomized controlled trial from a tertiary maternity care center enrolled low risk nulliparous pregnant women at 38–38+4 weeks between April 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021. Participants were randomized into either the elective induction group (e‐IOL) or the expectant management (EM) group though computer generated block randomization. The primary outcome was cesarean rate and the secondary outcome include adverse maternal and perinatal outcome between e‐IOL and EM groups. We performed intention to treat analysis. Results: A total of 360 women were enrolled into the present study. Analysis was performed for 179 women in the e‐IOL group and 180 women in the EM group. The baseline demographic characteristics including Bishop score were comparable between the groups. The CS rate in both groups was 17.3% (31/179) and 25% (45/180), which is comparable (P = 0.08). There was one intrapartum stillbirth in the e‐IOL group, and two babies succumbed in the neonatal period in the EM group. The maternal and perinatal outcomes between the groups were not found to be significantly different. Conclusion: Elective induction of low‐risk nulliparous women at 39 weeks was not associated with increased cesarean section rate. The maternal and perinatal outcomes were comparable. Large, multicentric real time randomized controlled trials are needed to understand the benefit of elective induction in low‐risk nulliparous women. This should include centers with large volume of deliveries especially from emerging countries also. Synopsis: Elective induction at 39 weeks is not associated with increased cesarean sections. However, routine elective induction cannot be generalized to all low‐risk women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global challenge of preterm birth persists with little or no progress being made to reduce its prevalence or mitigate its consequences, especially in low‐resource settings where health systems are less well developed. Improved delivery of respectful person‐centered care employing effective care models delivered by skilled healthcare professionals is essential for addressing these needs. These FIGO good practice recommendations provide an overview of the evidence regarding the effectiveness of the various care models for preventing and managing preterm birth across global contexts. We also highlight that continuity of care within existing, context‐appropriate care models (such as midwifery‐led care and group care), in primary as well as secondary care, is pivotal to delivering high quality care across the pregnancy continuum—prior to conception, through pregnancy and birth, and preparation for a subsequent pregnancy—to improve care to prevent and manage preterm birth. Synopsis: To mitigate preterm birth and its consequences, maternity models of care in all contexts should prioritize consistency and continuity of care and carer(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In the Netherlands, antenatal cardiotocography (aCTG) to assess fetal well‐being is performed in obstetrician‐led care. An innovative initiative was started to evaluate whether aCTG for specific indications—reduced fetal movements, external cephalic version, or postdate pregnancy—is feasible in non‐obstetrician‐led care settings by independent primary care midwives. Quality assessment is essential when reorganizing and shifting tasks and responsibilities. Therefore, we aimed to assess the inter‐ and intraobserver agreement for aCTG assessments between and within four professional groups involved in Dutch maternity care regarding the overall classification and assessment of the various components of aCTG. Method: This was a prospective study among 47 Dutch primary care midwives, hospital‐based midwives, residents, and obstetricians. Ten aCTG traces were assessed twice at a 1 month interval. To ensure a representative sample, we used two different sets of 10 aCTG traces each. We calculated the degree of agreement using the proportions of agreement. Results: The proportions of agreement for interobserver agreement on the classification of aCTG between and within the four professional groups varied from 0.82 to 0.94. The proportions of agreement for each professional group were slightly higher for intraobserver (0.86–0.94) than for interobserver agreement. For the various aCTG components, the proportions of agreement for interobserver agreement varied from 0.64 (presence of contractions) to 0.98 (baseline heart frequency). Conclusion: The proportion of agreement levels between and within the maternity care professionals in the classification of aCTG traces among healthy women were comparable. This means that these professional groups are equally well able to classify aCTGs in healthy pregnant women. Synopsis: The proportion of agreement levels between and within professionals in midwife‐led and obstetrician‐led care in the classification of antenatal cardiotocography traces among healthy women are comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Conclusion To study the impact of respectful maternity care (RMC) training of health care providers on RMC and birth satisfaction in mothers undergoing normal vaginal birth.A prospective interventional study was performed comparing RMC and birth satisfaction in women undergoing vaginal births before and after RMC training of health care providers from November 2021 to March 2023 in a tertiary care center in India. Person‐centered maternity care (PCMC) and birth satisfaction scale‐revised (BSSR) scales were used to study women's RMC and birth satisfaction, respectively.A total of 100 women undergoing normal vaginal birth were enrolled in pre‐ and post‐intervention phases. The intervention was done through formal and onsite training of health care providers in RMC. The mean total PCMC scale score in the post‐training group demonstrated a remarkable increase to 51.95 ± 6.50, significantly higher than the pre‐training mean of 32.82 ± 8.47 (P < 0.0001). The mean ± SD of the BSSR scale total score in the post‐training group increased significantly to 27.17 ± 3.67, surpassing the pre‐training mean of 21.19 ± 5.48 (P < 0.0001).The study showed significant improvement in RMC and birth satisfaction score in the post‐training group thereby emphasizing the importance of RMC training of health care providers in the facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synopsis: Scaling up postpartum and postabortion family planning requires stronger health system stewardship, community and private sector engagement, measurement, and financing. Maternal health leadership is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore inequalities in antenatal care (ANC) in South Korea. Based on the guidelines of the WHO, we categorized less than eight visits to an obstetrical facility as insufficient ANC. We examined ANC inequalities associated with age, disability, nationality, income, and geographic accessibility. Methods: We extracted delivery event claimed from 2013 to 2022 from the National Health Insurance Service database. By tracing back 270 days from the delivery date, we counted the number of antenatal visits for each childbirth and calculated the proportion of women with insufficient ANC and assessed both absolute and relative inequalities for each population group. The logistic regression analysis for both underuse and overuse of ANC were conducted. Results: Out of 3 416 517 childbirths, 104 109 women (3.0%) had fewer than eight ANC visits. Although the average number of ANC visits reached 18.7 in 2022, significant inequalities persisted across different population groups. The insufficient ANC rate was 28.1% for teenage women, 6.4% for disabled women, 10.7% for non‐Korean women, and 15.2% for dependents of medical aid households. Women with low income and those living in obstetric care underserved areas also exhibited higher ANC insufficiency. From 2021 to 2022, sufficiency in ANC decreased for teenage, disabled, and non‐Korean women, highlighting the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Conclusion: Antenatal care inequalities are evident in South Korea's well‐resourced health system. There is a need for further investigation into these disparities and the qualitative aspects of maternity care services. Synopsis: Despite South Korea's well‐equipped health system, significant antenatal care inequalities exist, necessitating further exploration and qualitative analysis of maternity care gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Conclusion To assess the frequency and determinants of medical interventions during childbirth without women's consent at the population level.The nationwide cross‐sectional Enquête Nationale Périnatale 2021 provided a representative sample of women who delivered in metropolitan France with a 2‐month postpartum follow‐up (n = 7394). Rates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of interventions during childbirth (oxytocin administration, episiotomy or emergency cesarean section) without consent were calculated. Associations with maternal, obstetric, and organizational characteristics were assessed using robust variance Poisson regressions, after multiple imputation for missing covariates, and weighted to account for 2‐month attrition.Women reporting failure to seek consent were 44.7% (CI: 42.6–47.0) for oxytocin administration, 60.2% (CI: 55.4–65.0) for episiotomy, and 36.6% (CI: 33.3–40.0) for emergency cesarean birth. Lack of consent for oxytocin was associated with maternal birth abroad (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.20; 95% CI: 1.06–1.36), low education level, and increased cervical dilation at oxytocin initiation, whereas women with a birth plan reported less frequently lack of consent (aPR 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68–0.92). Delivery assisted by an obstetrician was more often associated with lack of consent for episiotomy (aPR 1.46; 95% CI: 1.11–1.94 for spontaneous delivery and aPR 1.39; 95% CI: 1.13–1.72 for instrumental delivery, reference: spontaneous delivery with a midwife). Cesarean for fetal distress was associated with failure to ask for consent for emergency cesarean delivery (aPR 1.58; 95% CI: 1.28–1.96).Women frequently reported that perinatal professionals failed to seek consent for interventions during childbirth. Reorganization of care, particularly in emergency contexts, training focusing on adequate communication and promotion of birth plans are necessary to improve women's involvement in decision making during childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pain that women experience during labor and childbirth is the central feature of parturition in humans. Despite improvement in the development of standards for pain assessment and treatment, labor pain is mostly ignored especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries resulting in unmeasured suffering from childbirth for mothers. Objectives: We aimed to provide a comprehensive estimation of the pooled magnitude and associated factors of labor pain management practices in Ethiopian public health facilities. Search Strategy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis statement. Electronic databases including Google Scholar, Web of Science, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus were searched from database inception to June 30, 2023. Selection Criteria: The inclusion criteria were established prior to article review and follows the population, intervention, comparison and outcome criterions. Data Collection and Analysis: We evaluated publication bias by means of funnel plots and Egger's test. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I2 statistics. For each associated factors in meta‐regressions, the pooled odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were extracted. A P value of 0.05 was used to determine the significance of the small study effect. Main Results: Our search terms yielded 17 studies with 5735 participants. The pooled prevalence of labor pain management practices in Ethiopia was 45.73% (95% CI: 39.13, 52.32; I2 = 96.4). Having adequate knowledge regarding labor pain management (OR: 3.74; 95% CI: 2.74, 5.11; I2 = 53.8%), a favorable attitude toward labor pain management (OR: 2.90; 95% CI: 2.03, 4.14; I2 = 63.8%), availability of labor analgesics (OR: 3.23; 95% CI: 2.18, 4.79; I2 = 46.2%), and clinical experience of 10 or more years (OR: 3.45; 95% CI: 2.06, 5.78; I2 = 19.0%) were factors that were statistically associated with the use of labor pain management practices. Conclusion: We concluded that the routine practices of labor pain management by obstetric health providers in Ethiopia are still low. Therefore, it remains important to call for holistic and inclusive interventions targeting maternity health providers and hospital officials to update their long‐standing practices. Registration: Registered in PROSPERO under protocol number CRD42023429140. Synopsis: Labor pain management practice in Ethiopia is still low. Formulating a systematic approach to implement pain management guidelines would be valuable across the maternity care pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Surgery for obstetric fistula is a highly effective treatment to restore continence and improve quality of life. However, a lack of data on the cost‐effectiveness of this procedure limits prioritization of this essential treatment. This study measures the effectiveness of fistula surgeries using disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. Methods: In 2021 and 2022, the Fistula Foundation funded 20 179 fistula surgeries and related procedures at 143 hospitals among 27 countries. We calculated DALYs averted specifically for vesicovaginal fistula and rectovaginal fistula procedure types (n = 13 235 surgeries) by using disability weights from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study. We based cost calculations on direct treatment expenses, including medical supplies, health provider fees, and preoperative and postoperative care. We measured effectiveness using data on the risk of permanent disability, country‐specific average life spans, and treatment outcomes. Results: The total treatment cost was $7.6 million, and a total of 131 433 DALYs were averted. Thus, the cost per DALY averted—the cost to restore 1 year of healthy life—was $58. For this analysis, we took a cautious approach and weighted only surgeries that resulted in a closed fistula with restored continence. We calculated DALYs averted by country. Limitations of the study include data entry errors inherent in patient logs and lack of long‐term outcomes. Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that obstetric fistula surgery, along with having a significant positive impact on maternal health outcomes, is highly cost‐effective in comparison with other interventions. The study therefore highlights the benefits of prioritizing fistula treatment as part of the global agenda for maternal health care. Synopsis: Obstetric fistula treatment is highly cost‐effective. The current study highlights the benefits of prioritizing fistula treatment as part of the global agenda for maternal health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal reports of decreased fetal movement (DFM) are a common reason to present to maternity care and are associated with stillbirth and other adverse outcomes. Promoting awareness of fetal movements and prompt assessment of DFM has been recommended to reduce stillbirths. However, evidence to guide clinical management of such presentations is limited. Educational approaches to increasing awareness of fetal movements in pregnant women and maternity care providers with the aim of reducing stillbirths have recently been evaluated in a several large clinical trials internationally. The International Stillbirth Alliance Virtual Conference in Sydney 2021 provided an opportunity for international experts in fetal movements to share reports on the findings of fetal movement awareness trials, consider evidence for biological mechanisms linking DFM and fetal death, appraise approaches to clinical assessment of DFM, and highlight research priorities in this area. Following this workshop summaries of the sessions prepared by the authors provide an overview of understandings of fetal movements in maternity care at the current time and highlights future directions in fetal movement research. Synopsis: This conference workshop report provides an overview of contemporary understandings of decreased fetal movements in maternity care highlighting future directions in fetal movement research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the implementation of a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) intervention to improve the practice of birth companionship at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study found that the introduction of the PDSA intervention significantly increased the practice of birth companionship, with the percentage of mothers utilizing the service rising from less than 2% to 94.7%. The findings suggest that a stepwise PDSA intervention can effectively improve the practice of birth companionship and contribute to the realization of effective implementation of birth companions for all mothers during labor and delivery. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: To determine the proportion of women who experienced disrespect and abuse (D&A) and the type of D&A during labor and postpartum, and to determine the factors significantly associated with D&A. Methods: A cross‐sectional mixed‐methods study undertaken in tertiary care teaching institute South India. After ethical approval, 380 postpartum women within 72 h of delivery were recruited for the study. The determinants of respectful maternity care (RMC) were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. For quantitative assessment, they were interviewed using questionnaires adopted from the United States Agency for International Development‐ Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (USAID‐MCHIP) protocol, which has verification criteria for RMC. As a second method for quantitative assessment, they were asked to rate the care from their perspective on a 10‐point score. For the qualitative component, they were asked to identify the healthcare workers associated with D&A by their designation and to answer three open‐ended questions. IBM SPSS Statistics 25 (IBM Corporation, Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 25) was used for analysis. D&A as per RMC standards I–VII and its severity were expressed as frequencies and percentages with 95% confidence interval. Univariate analysis was used to determine the associated factors, and severity was determined by χ2 test. Results: The prevalence of D&A was high (85%) according to the RMC standards of the USAID‐MCHIP questionnaire, whereas it was only 33% according to women's perspective. The most common type of D&A was non‐dignified care. The factors significantly associated with D&A were women over 25 years, those admitted as an emergency referral, having a recommendation letter, and relatives working at the same healthcare facility. Conclusion: The prevalence of D&A was high as measured by the USAID‐MCHIP questionnaire, and the most common type was non‐dignified care followed by physical abuse. Synopsis: The prevalence of disrespect and abuse during childbirth is high according to the standards of the USAID‐MCHIP, but it is lower from the women's perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synopsis: Sudden‐onset climate events can have a significant impact on maternal health care systems, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries where resources are limited. We outline strategic policies that can help anticipate and plan for such disasters and help minimize negative maternal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenatal care and infant mortality rates are crucial indicators of healthcare quality. However, millions of women in low‐income countries lack access to adequate care. Factors such as high‐risk pregnancies and unmanaged diet increase the risk of developing complications during pregnancy, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of maternal health. The increasing burden of non‐communicable diseases represents a significant threat to fragile health systems. The lack of access to appropriate prenatal care and poor maternal and newborn health outcomes are major concerns in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). It emphasizes the need for innovative, integrative approaches to healthcare delivery, especially in pregnant women. The health services need to be reorganized holistically and effectively, focusing on factors that directly impact maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality, resulting in improved access to maternity services and survival of "at‐risk" mothers and their offspring in many LMICs. Based on the FIGO (the International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics) recommendations of extending preconception care to the postpartum stage, the authors of this review have developed a new model of care—PregCare—based on the triple‐intervention‐based holistic and multidisciplinary maternal and fetal medicine model for low‐risk pregnancies. This model will help transform the traditional model's high visitation frequency into a safe and reduced office visit, while increasing virtual connections, point of care and self‐care with doctors, nurses, and community‐based providers of self‐care. This shall be based on a sophisticated central PregCare call center powered by innovative technologies combined with experienced personnel in perinatal management (doctors and nurses/midwives). Digital technologies have revolutionized healthcare delivery, expanded treatment options, and improved precision in targeting specific conditions and patient types. In the realm of maternal health, there is a growing recognition of the need for a comprehensive approach encompassing prenatal care, long‐term health care, and integration with existing health programs and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To learn lessons for maternity care by scrutinizing postpartum hemorrhage management (PPH) in cases of PPH‐related maternal deaths in France and the Netherlands. Methods: In this binational Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (CEMD), 14 PPH‐related maternal deaths were reviewed by six experts from the French and Dutch national maternal death review committees regarding cause and preventability of death, clinical care and healthcare organization. Improvable care factors and lessons learned were identified. CEMD practices and PPH guidelines in France and the Netherlands were compared in the process. Results: For France, new insights were primarily related to organization of healthcare, with lessons learned focusing on medical leadership and implementation of (surgical) checklists. For the Netherlands, insights were mainly related to clinical care, emphasizing hemostatic surgery earlier in the course of PPH and reducing the third stage of labor by prompter manual removal of the placenta. Experts recommended extending PPH guidelines with specific guidance for women refusing blood products and systematic evaluation of risk factors. The quality of CEMD was presumed to benefit from enhanced case finding, also through non‐obstetric sources, and electronic reporting of maternal deaths to reduce the administrative burden. Conclusion: A binational CEMD revealed opportunities for improvement of care beyond lessons learned at the national level. Synopsis: Multinational maternal death reviews provide opportunities for care improvement beyond improvable factors already identified by national maternal death enquiries, through the perspective of a different care context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article explored the impacts of disrespectful care and abusive care practices and the potential interventions to eliminate those practices. Respectful maternity care is a fundamental right for all women. It ensures that women are able to exercise their rights in maternity care. However, research studies have shown the recent prevalence of poor‐quality care for women in maternity units in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The literature on this topic was searched on PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Science Direct/ Elsevier, and SCOPUS. A total of 24 qualitative and quantitative research articles were included. Thematic analysis was conducted by using the six steps. Impacts are coded on topics including psychological impacts due to disrespectful and abusive care practices, impact on the care process, normalization of the absence of care, suppression of knowledge regarding the labor process, and poor obstetric outcomes. Interventions are coded on topics including programs for health professionals to improve care, education and empowerment programs targeting the women and community, enacting policies and guidelines regarding disrespectful and abusive care practices and improving the facilities in the healthcare system. The majority of the evidenced‐based interventions were multi‐component and tailored to the needs of a particular setting. More research evidence is needed to inform the healthcare authorities and policymakers to transform these potential interventions into practice. Future research should clearly document the effectiveness of various combinations of interventions, feasibility, cost‐effectiveness, and outcomes. Synopsis: The present study found five impacts of disrespectful care and abusive care practices and reports on the evidence‐based and suggested interventions found in the studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the factors associated with trophoblastic infiltration in ampullary pregnancy from the perspective of clinical and pathologic characteristics. Methods: A single‐center, retrospective, clinicopathologic cohort study was conducted in women who were diagnosed with tubal pregnancy and underwent salpingectomy in the International Peace Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2018 to June 2021. Results: A total of 333 eligible women diagnosed with ampullary pregnancy were included in the analysis. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that preoperative β‐human chorionic gonadotropin greater than 3000 IU/L (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.02–7.03), and vascular remodeling phenomenon (aOR 4.34, 95% CI 2.41–7.83) were positively correlated with the infiltration of extravillous trophoblasts into serosa, while presence of chronic inflammation of the fallopian tube was a negatively corellated factor (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29–0.85). Conclusion: The depth of trophoblastic infiltration in tubal pregnancy may be related to the presence of chronic inflammation in the fallopian tube. A tubal pregnancy in a tube with chronic salpingitis is more likely to develop into an abortive ectopic pregnancy; whereas in a fallopian tube without chronic inflammation, the risk of it developing into a ruptured ectopic pregnancy increases. Hence, early identification is needed to properly address this dangerous pregnancy situation. Synopsis: Trophoblastic infiltration of tubal pregnancy may have an association with chronic inflammation of the fallopian tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The authors aimed to assess the characteristics and integration of immunization services into the prenatal care provided by maternity care units (MCUs) in Italy. Methods: A cross‐sectional nationwide study using a web‐based survey was conducted from June to August 2021. The study population consisted of 342 obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYNs), members of the Italian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and heads of MCUs. The main outcome was to assess the performance of several vaccine‐related services among the surveyed MCUs. Results: Overall, 112 of 342 MCUs completed the survey, for an overall response rate of 32.7%. Almost all MCUs (96.4%) provided vaccine information, but only 22% had an onsite vaccination clinic. Less than half (43.8%) offered vaccines during prenatal visits and 75% of those sites required women to set up an extra appointment for vaccination. Although 68% MCUs recorded vaccines administered, only 20% of them managed to record vaccines in their own medical records. The institutional‐logistic issues were the most voted vaccination barrier (40.2%). Conclusions: Institutional barriers and lack of certain vaccine‐related services offered during prenatal care in Italian MCUs might be responsible for many missed vaccination opportunities. Embedding maternal immunization programs within the current prenatal care services might optimize vaccine coverage. Synopsis: The lack of integration between maternal immunization programs and prenatal care services might represent a significant barrier that prevents maternal care providers from recommending and offering vaccines to pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To reduce average surgical‐site infection (SSI) rates to less than 7.5%, as well as other complications by incrementally implementing an SSI prevention care bundle in maternity: (1) ChloraPrep; (2) PICO dressings, performing elective cesarean sections in a main theater rather than a labor ward and warming blankets; (3) vaginal cleansing; and (4) Hibiscrub. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, the association between categorical variables was assessed by χ2 tests, temporal trends in the monthly percentage change of SSI were measured using the Joinpoint Regression Program v4.7.0.0. Results: In all, 1682 women (mean age 33.1 ± 5.2 years) underwent either elective (53.9%) or emergency (46.1%) cesarean section. After a small initial increase (10.0%–11.8%), SSI progressively declined to 4.4% (χ2 = 22.1, P < 0.001), as did sepsis, reoperation or readmission for SSI: from 12.5% to 0.5% (χ2 = 90.1, P < 0.001). The rates of SSI fell progressively with the cumulative introduction care bundle components. The average monthly percentage change was −14.0% (95% confidence interval −21.8% to −5.4%, P = 0.004), and the average SSI rate was kept below 7.5% for the last 12 months of the study. Conclusion: The maternal SSI prevention care bundle is simple and inexpensive; it effectively reduces SSI after a cesarean section and should be offered routinely to women undergoing cesarean section. Synopsis: Global surgical‐site infection (SSI) rate relating to cesarean sections is up to 18%; no consensus of benchmark targets exists for SSI after cesarean section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the dire situation in Gaza, where the ongoing conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis. Palestinians in Gaza are facing poverty, lack of basic services, and limited access to food, education, and healthcare. Amidst these challenging conditions, the article highlights the overlooked issue of sexual and reproductive health for women and girls in Gaza. The conflict has exacerbated challenges related to maternal health, access to healthcare facilities, and the availability of medical supplies. The article emphasizes the urgent need for a ceasefire, protected humanitarian access, and international support to address the healthcare needs of women in Gaza. [Extracted from the article]

Synopsis: A summary of the findings in the Supplement, highlighting the heterogeneity in reported quality of maternity care and inequalities within and between countries in the European region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the perception of quality of maternal and newborn care (QMNC) around the time of childbirth among migrant and nonmigrant women in Europe. Methods: Women who gave birth at a health facility in 11 countries of the WHO European Region from March 2020 to July 2021 were invited to answer an online questionnaire including demographics and childbirth experience. Data were analyzed and compared for 1781 migrant and 20 653 nonmigrant women. Results: Migrant women who experienced labor perceived slightly more difficulties in attending routine antenatal visits (41.2% vs 39.4%; P = 0.001), more barriers in accessing facilities (32.9% vs 29.9%; P = 0.001), lack of timely care (14.7% vs 13.0%; P = 0.025), inadequate room comfort and equipment (9.2% vs 8.5%; P = 0.004), inadequate number of women per room (9.4% vs 8.6%; P = 0.039), being prevented from staying with their baby as they wished (7.8% vs 6.9%; P = 0.011), or suffering abuse (14.5% vs 12.7%; P = 0.022) compared with nonmigrant women. For women who had a prelabor cesarean, migrant women were more likely not to receive pain relief after birth (16.8% vs.13.5%; P = 0.039) and less likely to provide informal payment (1.8% vs 4.4%; P = 0.005) compared with nonmigrant women. Overall, the QMNC index was not significantly different for migrant compared with nonmigrant women. Conclusion: Gaps in overall QMNC were reported by both migrant and nonmigrant women, with improvements to healthcare necessary for all. Synopsis: Both migrant and nonmigrant women reported gaps in overall quality of maternal and newborn health care, highlighting the need for overarching improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the quality of maternal and newborn care (QMNC) during the COVID‐19 pandemic by facility type among 16 European countries, comparing rates of instrumental vaginal birth and cesarean. Methods: Women who gave birth in the WHO European Region from March 1, 2020, to February 7, 2022, answered a validated online questionnaire. Rates of instrumental birth, instrumental vaginal birth, and cesarean, and a QMNC index were calculated for births in public versus private facilities. Results: Responses from 25 206 participants were analyzed. Women giving birth in private compared with public facilities reported significantly more frequent total cesarean (32.5% vs 19.0%; aOR 1.70; 95% CI 1.52–1.90), elective cesarean (17.3% vs 7.8%; aOR 1.90; 95% CI 1.65–2.19), and emergency cesarean before labor (7.4% vs 3.9%; aOR 1.39; 95% CI 1.14–1.70) (P < 0.001 for all comparisons), with analyses by country confirming these results. QMNC index results were heterogeneous across countries and regions in the same country and were largely affected by geographical distribution of regions rather than by type of facility alone. Conclusion: The study confirms that births in private facilities have higher odds of cesarean. It also suggests that QMNC should be closely monitored in all facilities to achieve high‐quality care, independent of facility type or geographical distribution. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04847336 Synopsis: Births in private facilities consistently had higher odds of cesarean, while overall quality of care was heterogeneous both across and within countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the incidence and causes of severe maternal outcomes and the unmet need for life‐saving obstetric interventions among women admitted for delivery in a referral hospital in Somaliland. Methods: A prospective cross‐sectional study was conducted from April 15, 2019 to March 31, 2020, with women admitted during pregnancy or childbirth or within 42 days after delivery. Data were collected using the World Health Organization (WHO) and sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) maternal near‐miss (MNM) tools. Descriptive analysis was performed by computing frequencies, proportions, and ratios. Results: The MNM ratios were 56 (SSA criteria) and 13 (WHO criteria) per 1000 live births. The mortality index was highest among women with medical complications (63%), followed by obstetric hemorrhage (13%), pregnancy‐related infection (10%), and hypertensive disorders (7.9%) according to the SSA MNM criteria. Most women giving birth received prophylactic oxytocin for postpartum hemorrhage prevention (97%), and most laparotomies (60%) for ruptured uterus were conducted after 3 h. Conclusion: There is a need to improve the quality of maternal health services through implementation of evidence‐based obstetric interventions and continuous in‐service training for healthcare providers. Using the SSA MNM criteria could facilitate such preventive measures in this setting as well as similar low‐resource contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the availability of an institutional‐level respectful maternity care (RMC) index, its components, and associated factors. Methods: A cross‐sectional study design was applied to a 2016 census of 3804 health facilities in Ethiopia. The availability of an institutional‐level RMC index was computed as the availability of all nine items identified as important aspects of institutional‐level RMC during childbirth. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with availability of the index. Results: Three components of the institutional‐level RMC index were identified: "RMC policy," "RMC experience," and "facility for provision of RMC." Overall, 28% of facilities (hospitals, 29.9%; health centers, 27.8%) reported availability of the institutional‐level RMC index. Facility location urbanization (urban region), percentage of maternal and newborn health workers trained in basic emergency obstetric and newborn care, and availability of maternity waiting homes in health facilities were positively associated with availability of the institutional‐level RMC index. Conclusion: Only one in three facilities reported availability of the institutional‐level RMC index. The Ethiopian government should consider strengthening support mechanisms in different administrative regions (urban, pastoralist, and agrarian), implementing the provision training for health workers that incorporates RMC components, and increasing the availability of maternity waiting homes. Synopsis: In Ethiopia, only one in three facilities reported availability of an institutional‐level respectful maternity care index. Factors associated with availability of the index were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SYNOPSIS: Abusive care practices during labor and childbirth are a violation to women's rights and call for a strong political will towards the Respectful Maternity Care agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of an intervention package on maternal and newborn health indicators.Methods: A randomized stepped-wedge non-blind trial was conducted across six subdistricts within two districts in Guatemala from January 2014 to January 2017. Data on outcomes were collected on all deliveries in all 33 health centers. The intervention package included distribution of promotional materials encouraging health center delivery; education for traditional birth attendants about the importance of health center delivery; and provider capacity building using simulation training. Main outcomes were number of health center deliveries, maternal morbidity, and perinatal morbidity and mortality.Results: Overall, there were 24 412 deliveries. Health center deliveries per 1000 live births showed an overall increase, although after adjustment for secular trends and clustering, the relative risk for the treatment effect was not statistically significant (aRR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.11, P=0.242). Although not statistically significant, maternal morbidity (aRR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.60-1.02; P=0.068) and perinatal morbidity (aRR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.68-1.05; P=0.133) showed a tendency toward a decrease.Conclusion: The present study represents one of the few randomized evaluations of an integrated approach to improve birth outcomes in a low-income setting. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT0315107. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact on healthcare services in settings with under-resourced health systems, such as Nigeria, is likely to be substantial in the coming months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and maternity services still need to be prioritized as an essential core health service. The healthcare system should ensure the provision of safe and quality care to women during pregnancy, labor, and childbirth, and at the same time, maternity care providers including obstetricians and midwives must be protected and prioritized to continue providing care to childbearing women and their babies during the pandemic. This practical guideline was developed for the management of pregnant women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in Nigeria and other low-resource countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First-trimester abortion became legal in Mexico City in April 2007. Since then, 216 755 abortions have been provided, initially in hospitals, by specialized physicians using surgical techniques. With time and experience, services were provided increasingly in health centers, by general physicians using medical therapies. Meanwhile, abortion remains legally restricted in the remaining 31/32 Mexican states. Demand and need for abortion care have increased throughout the country, while overall abortion-specific mortality rates have declined. In an effort to ensure universal access to and improved quality of reproductive and maternal health services, including abortion, Mexico recently expanded its cadres of health professionals. While initial advances are evident in pregnancy and delivery care, many obstacles and barriers impair the task-sharing/shifting process in abortion care. Efforts to expand the provider base for legal abortion and postabortion care to include midlevel professionals should be pursued by authorities in the new Mexican administration to further reduce abortion mortality and complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lebanon invested in the prevention of maternal mortality after the civil war, which left a deficient vital registration system leading to unreliable estimates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR). Starting in 2004, the Ministry of Public Health integrated reproductive health into primary health care and established a national notification system of maternal and neonatal deaths. From 1990 to 2013, Lebanon achieved an annual change in MMR of -7.5%, which was the highest rate of reduction in the region and met the requirements of Millennium Development Goal 5. For the period 2010-2018, data collected through the national notification system indicate an MMR of 14.9, which is below the officially reported MMR of 23. Since the influx of Syrian refugees, Lebanon has experienced a rise in the number of live births with a slightly increasing trend in MMR, especially in regions with the highest concentration of refugees. Causes of maternal mortality in Lebanon align with the three-delays model, pointing to deficiencies in the quality of maternity care. More efforts are needed toward strengthening the national notification system to include cases that occur outside hospitals, identifying near-miss cases, reinforcing the emergency response system, and engaging with all stakeholders to improve quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite the recognized importance of person-centered care, very little information exists on how person-centered maternity care (PCMC) impacts newborn health.Methods: Baseline and follow-up data were collected from women who delivered in government health facilities in Nairobi and Kiambu counties in Kenya between August 2016 and February 2017. The final analytic sample included 413 respondents who completed the baseline survey and at least one follow-up survey at 2, 6, 8, and/or 10 weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistics. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between PCMC scores and outcomes of interest.Results: In multivariate analyses, women with high PCMC scores were significantly less likely to report newborn complications than women with low PCMC scores (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-0.98). Women reporting high PCMC scores also had significantly higher odds of reporting a willingness to return to the facility for their next delivery than women with low PCMC score (aOR 12.72, 95% CI 2.26-71.63). The domains of Respect/Dignity and Supportive Care were associated with fewer newborn complications and willingness to return to a facility.Conclusion: PCMC could improve not just the experience of the mother during childbirth, but also the health of her newborn and future health-seeking behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synopsis: Perinatal quality collaboratives must incorporate patient and community member preferences in the design and evaluation of quality improvement initiatives to achieve truly patient‐centered maternity care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the knowledge of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) concepts among midwives and obstetricians and to identify barriers and facilitators for clinicians to engage women and their partners before or early in pregnancy on risk factors associated with DOHaD, and thus to embed the concept of DOHaD in routine clinical practice.Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews will be conducted in Ghana, India, Pakistan, Brazil, the UK, and USA in collaboration with the International Confederation of Midwives and the International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Participants will be contacted via email and telephone interviews will be conducted until data saturation followed by inductive thematic analysis.Results: Findings from this exploratory study will provide new knowledge about the perspectives of midwives and obstetricians on DOHaD and their role in preventing the intergenerational passage of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk and improving preconception care.Conclusion: This study will help us understand the current use of DOHaD principles in international maternity care and how this can be improved. Bringing DOHaD to clinical practice will help healthcare practitioners adopt a long-term approach in the prevention of NCDs and childhood obesity and will help women to enter pregnancy in optimum health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ICI has developed a quality assurance program of 12 steps for safe and respectful MotherBaby–Family maternity care that all birthing units can implement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the declaration of the Millennium Development Goals in 2000 by the United Nations, many stakeholders allocated financial resources to "global maternal health." Research to expand care and improve delivery of maternal health services has exponentially increased. The present article highlights an overview, namely 10 of the health system, clinical, and technology-based advancements that have occurred in the past three decades in the field of global maternal health. The list of topics has been selected through the cumulative clinical and public health expertise of the authors and is certainly not exhaustive. Rather, the list is intended to provide a mapping of key topics arranged from broad to specific that span from the global policy level to the level of individual care. The list of health system, clinical, and technology-based advancements include: (10) Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals; (9) Development of clinical training programs, including the potential for subspecialty development; (8) Prenatal care expansion and potential; (7) Decentralized health systems, including the use of skilled birth attendants; (6) Antiretroviral therapy for HIV; (5) Essential medicines; (4) Vaccines; (3) mHealth/eHealth; (2) Ultrasonography; and (1) Obstetric hemorrhage management. With the Sustainable Development Goals now underway, the field must build upon past successes to sustain maternal and neonatal well-being in the future global health agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop a shortened, valid and reliable scale applicable across multiple settings for routine monitoring of person-centered maternity care (PCMC).Methods: Exploratory analysis was used to generate parsimonious versions of a 30-item PCMC scale in four datasets from cross-sectional surveys conducted between August 2016 and October 2017, involving women aged 15-49 years in Kenya, Ghana and India who had recently given birth. Analysis was informed by expert opinion via a separate online survey of global maternal and child health experts. Items retained in each dataset were compared, and those unique to a single setting removed. The remaining items were pooled and assessed for construct and criterion validity and reliability in each setting.Results: Thirteen items were retained for a potential multi-setting short PCMC scale, incorporating the domains of dignity and respect, communication and autonomy, and supportive care. Cronbach's alpha for the scale was >0.7 in each setting. Scores on the 13-item scale were correlated with the 30-item scale scores, and with global measures of care satisfaction in Kenya and India.Conclusion: Analysis yielded a 47% shorter PCMC scale, that showed promise for routine assessment of women's experience of care during childbirth across multiple settings. However, further validation is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International standards for clinical staffing of delivery care in maternity units are currently lacking, with resulting gaps in provision leading to adverse outcomes and very poor experiences of care for women and families. While evidence-informed modelling approaches have been proposed based on population characteristics and estimated rates of complications, their application and outcomes in low-resource settings have not been reported. Here, FIGO's Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health Committee proposes indicative standards for labor wards as a starting point for policy and program development. These standards consider the volume of deliveries, the case mix, and the need to match clinical care requirements with an appropriate mix of professional skills among midwifery and obstetric staff. The role of Shift Leader in busy labor wards is emphasized. Application of the standards can help to assure women and their families of a safe but also positive birthing experience. FIGO calls for investment by partners to test these clinically-informed recommendations for delivery unit staffing at hospital and district level in low- and middle-income country settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the effect of locally tailored clinical guidelines on intrapartum care and perinatal outcomes among women with severe hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (sHDP).Methods: A pre-post study at Zanzibar's low-resource Mnazi Mmoja Hospital was conducted. All labouring women with sHDP were included at baseline (October 2014 to January 2015) and at 9-12 months after implementation of the ongoing intervention (October 2015 to January 2016). Background characteristics, clinical practice, and delivery outcomes were assessed by criterion-based case file reviews.Results: Overall, 188 of 2761 (6.8%) women had sHDP at baseline, and 196 of 2398 (8.2%) did so during the intervention months. The median time between last blood pressure recording and delivery decreased during the intervention compared with baseline (P=0.015). Among women with severe hypertension, antihypertensive treatment increased during the intervention compared with baseline (relative risk [RR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.66). Among the neonates delivered (birthweight ≥1000 g), stillbirths decreased (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.35-0.90) and Apgar scores of seven or more increased during the intervention compared with baseline (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03-1.33).Conclusion: Although health system strengthening remains crucial, locally tailored clinical guidelines seemed to help work-overloaded birth attendants at a low-resource hospital to improve care for women with sHDP. CLINICALTRIALS.ORG: NCT02318420. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess whether the implementation of a package of activities through the joint action of three international healthcare professional associations (HCPAs) increased the use of essential interventions (EIs) for delivery and neonatal care.Methods: A noncontrolled pre-intervention versus post-intervention study was conducted from June 13 to December 13, 2016, among women older than 18 years of age, who had delivered at one of two urban tertiary hospitals in Nepal.Results: The study included 9252 women. Minimal change was found after the implementation of EIs that were used frequently at baseline (e.g. social support during delivery in the emergency room, and promotion and support for early initiation of breastfeeding). By contrast, an increase was recorded for some EIs that had not been used regularly at baseline. For example, the rate of timely administration of prophylactic antibiotics before cesarean delivery increased from 0.0% (0/496) to 94.0% (409/435) at one hospital. Nonetheless, some EIs with low use at baseline did not show improvement after implementation (e.g. kangaroo mother care).Conclusion: The present study strengthened previous findings regarding the uptake of EIs following joint promotion by HCPAs in low-income settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate perceptions of early pregnancy assessment units (EPAUs) among perinatal practitioners working in Belgium, France, and Switzerland.Methods: A prospective multinational survey was conducted between September 1, 2015, and May 21, 2016. Obstetricians, gynecologists, medical doctors, radiologists, and midwives were recruited during meetings, via e-mail invitations, or through the websites of regional obstetrics and gynecology scientific societies. The survey comprised 17 questions that assessed the participants' knowledge, interest, and management of early pregnancy.Results: Of the 871 individuals invited to participate in the survey, 306 (35.1%) responded. Most of the participants were gynecologists and/or obstetricians (225 [73.5%]). A total of 258 (84.3%) participants had no or limited knowledge about EPAUs. Furthermore, 211 (69.0%) participants reported incorrect management when they visualized a gestational sac without embryo and 265 (86.6%) misinterpreted changes in serum levels of chorionic gonadotropin during early pregnancy. In all, 201 (65.7%) participants were interested in collaboration with an EPAU; however, only 125 (40.8%) had sufficient time and resources available to support a patient's psychological distress after early pregnancy loss or salpingectomy.Conclusion: Knowledge about early management of pregnancy was limited among the perinatal practitioners surveyed; however, the concept of EPAUs was welcomed by many. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnant women should receive respectful maternity care in the context of COVID‐19 and not be subject to policies and practices that violate their human rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore women's experiences of obstetric violence related to childbirth in Ecuador.Methods: The present cross-sectional descriptive study combined qualitative and quantitative elements of women's childbirth experience in Quito, Ecuador, between July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017. Women who delivered in public health units providing different levels of care completed a survey of 32 questions, divided into six dimensions of obstetric violence.Results: Overall, 388 women completed the survey, of whom 259 (66.8%) delivered vaginally and 129 (33.2%) delivered by cesarean. Among 120 women who delivered for the first time, 62 (51.7%) had an episiotomy. At the second stage of labor, uterine fundus pressure (Kristeller maneuver) was performed for 49 (19.4%) of 252 women. Overall, 196 (50.5%) women reported that they were not allowed to engage in early attachment, and 135 (34.8%) reported that they did not receive support for the initiation of breastfeeding.Conclusion: Various forms of obstetric violence are occurring in the public health services of Quito, despite World Health Organization recognition of the need for perinatal care at the highest level. Programs designed to prevent and diminish obstetric violence are urgently required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2011, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) issued a groundbreaking decision in the case of Alyne da Silva Pimentel Teixeira versus Brazil involving the maternal death of a young Afro-Brazilian woman. The CEDAW addressed systemic failures in the Brazilian health system that combined to violate Alyne's rights to life, health, and access to maternal health services. Almost 5 years later, after significant back and forth between the concerned parties, a technical follow-up commission was created with the support of the Center for Reproductive Rights, and was welcomed by the government of Brazil. The technical follow-up commission was precedent-setting, seeking to move beyond identifying gaps in "compliance" and concentrate instead on issues that might catalyze re-engagement by national level stakeholders, both governmental and non-governmental, with the aim of advancing CEDAW's recommendations through not only the creation, but also the effective implementation, of policies and programs that promote women's sexual and reproductive rights in practice, including their rights to safe motherhood. Here, the human-rights-based framework of the technical follow-up commission is described, in addition to their findings related to legal and policy frameworks, evidence-based programing, and monitoring and oversight of providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provision of safe abortion is widely recognized as vital to addressing the health and wellbeing of populations. Research on abortion is essential to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Researchers in population health from university, policy, and practitioner contexts working on two multidisciplinary projects on family planning and safe abortion in Africa and Asia were brought together for a workshop to discuss the future research agenda on induced abortion. Research on care-seeking behavior, supply of abortion care services, and the global and national policy context will help improve access to and experiences of safe abortion services. A number of areas have potential in designing intervention strategies, including clinical innovations, quality improvement mechanisms, community involvement, and task sharing. Research on specific groups, including adolescents and young people, men, populations affected by conflict, marginalized groups, and providers could increase understanding of provision, access to and experiences of induced abortion. Methodological and conceptual advances, for example in the measurement of induced abortion incidence, complications, and client satisfaction, conceptualizations of induced abortion access and care, and methods for follow-up of patients who have induced abortions, will improve the accuracy of measurements of induced abortion, and add to understanding of women's experiences of induced abortions and abortion care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the impact of the one-child policy in China on maternal mortality.Methods: The present retrospective study included maternal death data from Guangdong, China, from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2015; data from 2013 were excluded because they were not available. Maternal deaths were divided into legal and illegal pregnancies based on adherence to the one-child policy. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was compared between the groups, temporal trends in the MMR were examined, and comparisons were made of the causes of death and access to maternity care.Results: The final analysis included 847 520 live deliveries and 383 maternal deaths. The MMR among legal pregnancies declined moderately from 18.5 deaths per 100 000 live deliveries in 2006 to 12.2 deaths per 100 000 live deliveries in 2015 (P=0.029), whereas the MMR among illegal pregnancies declined dramatically from 1268.4 deaths per 100 000 live deliveries to 177.5 deaths per 100 000 live deliveries (P<0.001). The proportion of avoidable maternal deaths decreased and access to quality maternity care improved among illegal pregnancies during the study period.Conclusions: Maternal mortality among illegal pregnancies declined with relaxation of the one-child policy in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the effect of the newly introduced national health insurance plan on access to skilled birth attendance (SBA).Methods: The present secondary analysis used data from the 2014 Togo Demographic and Health Survey. The study sample comprised women aged 15-49 years who had at least one delivery in the 5 years preceding the survey. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted.Results: The adjusted sample included 4826 women. Overall, 195 (4.0%) of 4826 pregnant women had health insurance. The coverage rate varied by wealth, with poor women having the lowest coverage rate (22/931 [1.1%]). Approximately one-third of the women had no SBA at delivery. Women with health insurance were almost three times as likely to be assisted by skilled healthcare personnel at delivery as were those without health insurance (adjusted odds ratio 2.74, 95% confidence interval 1.63-4.59). Other factors associated with SBA included education, household wealth, and age.Conclusion: The study highlights the positive impact health insurance coverage could have on access to SBA and provides evidence that SBA use could be improved through improved access to health insurance. An accessible health insurance scheme will offer a pathway to achieving health equity and Sustainable Development Goal 3 in Togo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]