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Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between hypertensive (HTN) disorders and severe maternal morbidity (SMM). To understand whether there is differential prevalence of HTN disorders by race and whether the relationship between HTN disorders and SMM is modified by race and ethnicity. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using patient-level rates of SMM for pregnancies at all 61 non-military hospitals in Washington State from 10/2015 to 9/2016. Data were obtained from the Washington State Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to evaluate the association of HTN disorders and SMM (with and without transfusion) overall and by race. The population-attributable fraction of HTN disorders on SMM within each racial/ethnic group was calculated. Results: Of 76,965 deliveries, 864 (1.1%) had any SMM diagnosis or procedure. All racial and ethnic minorities, except white and Asian, were disproportionally affected by preeclampsia with severe features (SF) and SMM. Overall, and within each racial/ethnic group, the SMM rate was higher among pregnancies with any HTN disorder compared to no HTN disorder (2.8 vs. 0.9%, OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.7–3.6). Race and ethnicity significantly modified the association. Overall and within each racial/ethnic group, there was a dose-response relationship between the type of HTN disorder and SMM, with more severe HTN disorders leading to a greater risk of SMM. The population-attributable fraction of HTN disorders on SMM was 20.6% for Black individuals versus 17.5% overall. The findings were similar when reclassifying transfusion-only SMM as no SMM. Conclusions: In Washington, HTN disorders are associated with SMM in a dose-dependent fashion with the greatest impact among Black individuals. Significance: What is already known on this subject?: Hypertensive disorders are a risk factor for SMM and hypertensive disorders and SMM occur disproportionately among marginalized populations. What does this study add to what is already known?: This study highlights that severe hypertensive disorders, especially preeclampsia with SF, disproportionately affect marginalized groups, and SMM appears to be disproportionately attributable to hypertensive disorders among people who identify as Black. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In-hospital formula supplementation places infants at risk for early breastfeeding cessation. The study's aim was to identify predictive and protective factors for in-hospital formula supplementation in individuals documented as wanting to exclusively breastfeed and residing in a geographic region with adverse social determinants of health and low breastfeeding rates. Additionally, we wished to determine if lactation consultation served as a protective factor against supplementation. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we retrospectively reviewed 500 randomly selected charts of newborns born in a 12 month period at a regional tertiary care hospital. We included healthy, full-term neonates having a recorded maternal decision to exclusively breastfeed. Maternal-newborn dyad characteristics were compared between those exclusively breastfeeding and those with in-hospital formula supplementation. Results: Of the 500 charts, 70% of individuals desired to exclusively breastfeed. Overall, 41% of breastfed newborns were supplemented with formula before discharge, and 32% of women met with lactation consultants prior to supplementation. No statistically significant association was present between exclusive breastfeeding at discharge and meeting with a hospital lactation consultant (p = 0.55). When controlling for the confounders of maternal demographics and lactation consultation, significant associations with formula supplementation included Cesarean delivery (odd ratio: 2.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.04–4.16), primiparity (2.48, 1.27–4.87), and high school level of education (2.78, 1.33–5.78). Conclusions: Maternal characteristics of high school level educational, primiparity, and Caesarean delivery place individuals at risk for in-hospital formula supplementation in individuals wishing to exclusively breastfeed. Addressing barriers to exclusive breastfeeding is essential to enhance maternal and newborn health equity. Significance: What is already known on this subject? Exclusive breastfeeding is recognized as the ideal feeding method for infants. Newborns receiving formula in-hospital are at higher risk for early breastfeeding cessation. Rural residence and/or in the Appalachian region negatively impact breastfeeding rates. What this study adds? Predictors for in-hospital formula supplementation in women desiring to exclusively breastfeed included high school level educational, primiparity, and C-section delivery. Lactation consultation did not associate with decreased initiation of formula supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Women with pre-pregnancy diabetes or pre-pregnancy hypertension have increased risks of complications during pregnancy. Women who obtain prenatal care in the first trimester receive necessary routine testing and disease management tools that aid in controlling such conditions. However, research on the association between pre-pregnancy hypertension and pre-pregnancy diabetes and prenatal care timing among US women is limited. Methods: This study used data from the 2018 National Vital Statistic System (n = 3,618,853). Trained personnel collected information on prenatal care timing, maternal conditions, and demographics. Multivariate logistic regression models evaluated the association between pre-pregnancy hypertension, pre-pregnancy diabetes and prenatal care timing. A stratified analysis was conducted to determine if race/ethnicity modified the associations. Results: After adjustment, women with pre-pregnancy hypertension or pre-pregnancy diabetes had statistically significant increased odds of receiving early prenatal care compared to women without these conditions (OR 1.23; 95% CI: 1.21-1.26 and OR 1.27; 95% CI: 1.24-1.31, respectively). Among non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic women, those with pre-pregnancy hypertension or pre-pregnancy diabetes had statistically significantly increased odds of receiving early prenatal care compared to women without those pre-existing conditions (P <.001). Discussion: Further research is needed on the transition from preconception care to obstetric care for women with pre-existing diabetes or hypertension. However, these findings suggest that women who have conditions that could cause pregnancy complications are pursuing early prenatal care services to mitigate the development of adverse maternal and infant health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Despite renewed interest in expansion of multi-tasked community health workers (CHWs) there is limited research on HIV and maternal health integration at the community-level. This study assessed the impact of integrating CHW roles for HIV and maternal health promotion on facility delivery utilization in rural Tanzania. Methods: A 36-month time series data set (2014–2016) of reported facility deliveries from 68 health facilities in two districts of Tanzania was constructed. Interrupted time series analyses evaluated population-averaged longitudinal trends in facility delivery at intervention and comparison facilities. Analyses were stratified by district, controlling for secular trends, seasonality, and type of facility. Results: There was no significant change from baseline in the average number of facility deliveries observed at intervention health centers/dispensaries relative to comparison sites. However, there was a significant 16% increase (p < 0.001) in average monthly deliveries in hospitals, from an average of 202–234 in Iringa Rural and from 167 to 194 in Kilolo. While total facility deliveries were relatively stable over time at the district-level, during intervention the relative change in the proportion of hospital deliveries out of total facility deliveries increased by 17.2% in Iringa Rural (p < 0.001) and 14.7% in Kilolo (p < 0.001). Conclusions for Practice: Results suggest community-delivered outreach by dual role CHWs was successful at mobilizing pregnant women to deliver at facilities and may be effective at reaching previously under-served pregnant women. More research is necessary to understand the effect of dual role CHWs on patterns of service utilization, including decisions to use referral level facilities for obstetric care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Little is known about provider attitudes regarding safety of selected hormonal contraceptives among breastfeeding women. Methods: Using a nationwide survey, associations were analyzed between provider characteristics and perception of safety of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) in breastfeeding women ≥ 1 month postpartum without other venous thrombosis risk factors and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) in breastfeeding women < 1 month postpartum and ≥ 1 month postpartum. Results: Approximately 68% of public-sector providers considered COCs safe for breastfeeding women ≥ 1 month postpartum without other venous thrombosis risk factors, with lower odds among non-physicians versus physicians (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] range 0.34–0.51) and those with a focus on adolescent health/pediatrics versus reproductive health (aOR 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47–0.99). Most public-sector providers considered DMPA safe for breastfeeding women during any time postpartum, with lower odds among non-physicians versus physicians (aOR range 0.20–0.54) and those with primary clinical focus other than reproductive health (aOR range 0.26–0.65). The majority of office-based physicians considered COCs safe for breastfeeding women ≥ 1 month postpartum without other venous thrombosis risk factors, with lower odds among those who did not use, versus those who used, CDC's contraceptive guidance (aOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21–0.77). Most office-based physicians also considered DMPA safe for breastfeeding women during any time postpartum. Conclusions for Practice: A high proportion of providers considered use of selected hormonal contraceptives safe for breastfeeding women, consistent with evidence-based guidelines. However, certain provider groups might benefit from education regarding the safety of these methods for breastfeeding women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives We examined the association between prepregnancy body mass index (PP-BMI) and preterm birth (PTB) among women in Puerto Rico (PR) as a potentially modifiable risk factor. Methods We conducted a retrospective study using the birth certificate data files from 2005 to 2012 developed by the PR Department of Health to examine the relationship between PP-BMI and PTB. Logistic regression was used to determine crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the categories of PP-BMI of overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2), obesity (≥ 30 kg/m2), and overweight and obesity together (≥ 25 kg/m2) and PTB. Stratified analysis explored the associations between PP-BMI and PTB by region within PR and year. Results Following exclusions of birth records with missing data, 343,508 births were included in our analysis. The percentage of PTB decreased from 18.6 to 15.2 during our study period. Statistically significant differences were observed between preterm and full term births across all covariates. Overweight (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.06, 1.11), obesity (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.14, 1.20), and overweight and obesity together (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.09, 1.14) were significantly associated with increased odds of PTB after adjusting for confounders. The associations between PP-BMI and PTB persisted across all regions and years. Conclusions for Practice PP-BMI is associated with increased odds of PTB among women in PR and the associations were consistent in exploratory analyses. Future research should examine the relationship between PP-BMI and PTB among other Hispanic subgroups and among Puerto Ricans in the mainland United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Asian Americans are highly diverse in cultural, socioeconomic, and health conditions. We aimed to identify socioeconomic and cultural profiles of subgroups of Asian American children at high risk of obesity or overweight to inform targeted interventions. Methods A sample of 841 Asian American children and adolescents ages 6–19 from the 2011–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was conducted. Analyses were also stratified by age (6–11 vs. 12–19). Key variables of interest were Asian ethnicity (Chinese, Korean/Japanese, Filipino, South Asian, and Southeast Asian) and parental educational level. Models adjusted for age, gender, nativity status, parental nativity status, and health insurance coverage. Results Filipino (AOR 2.79; 95% CI 1.30–6.00), Japanese/Korean (AOR 2.55; 95% CI 1.21–5.38), Southeast Asian (AOR 2.54; 95% CI 1.63–3.94), and South Asian (AOR 2.10; 95% CI 1.01–4.36) children ages 6–19 had higher odds of being obese/overweight than Chinese. Filipino (AOR 3.24; 95% CI 1.11–9.49) and Southeast Asian (AOR 2.47; 95% CI 1.22–5.01) ethnicities were associated with higher risk of obesity/overweight in adolescents ages 12–19. Having a parent with a 4-year college or advanced degree was inversely associated with obesity/overweight in US-born Asian adolescents (AOR 0.34; 95% CI 0.14–0.78). Conclusions for Practice Asian American children and adolescents in some Asian ethnic subgroups may be at higher risk of obesity/overweight than in others. Higher parental education level appears to protect US-born Asian American adolescents from being obese/overweight. Multi-sectoral efforts are needed to better understand and address sociocultural processes that increase childhood obesity/overweight in high-risk Asian subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]