Search

Objective: To examine the association between violence experienced by pregnant Haitian women in the previous 6 months and pregnancy-related symptom distress.Methods: A total of 200 women seeking prenatal care at community health dispensaries in the Artibonite Valley were interviewed.Results: Over 4 in 10 women (44.0%) reported that they had experienced violence in the 6 months prior to interview; 77.8% of these women reported that the violence was perpetrated by an intimate partner. Those who experienced intimate partner violence reported significantly greater pregnancy-related symptom distress (beta=0.23, P=0.001). No significant differences between violence perpetrated by family members or others and reporting of symptoms were observed (beta=0.06, P=0.38).Conclusion: The findings indicate the need to integrate violence screening, resources, and primary prevention into prenatal care in rural Haiti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective . The maternal mortality ratio in Haiti remains one of the highest in the world at 600/100 000 live births. Preeclampsia- and eclampsia-related complications are one of the leading causes of maternal death. In this resource-limited setting, effective, efficient hospital-based interventions are necessary to reduce this risk. Our objective was to assess the utility of common laboratory and clinical admission data for the determination of preeclampsia- and eclampsia-related maternal death. Study design . We performed an analysis of women presenting to the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer with preeclampsia and eclampsia during a 3-year period. Factors analyzed were: maternal age, parity, gestational age, hematocrit, serum creatinine, urine protein, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), coma on arrival, and address (residence within or outside hospital catchment area). Stepwise logistic regression identified factors predictive of maternal mortality. Results . Preeclampsia/eclampsia affected 423 of 2295 deliveries (18%) and resulted in 19 deaths. Multivariate analysis identified the following predictors of maternal mortality: IUFD (RR 7.57; 95% CI 2.76–12.69), eclampsia (RR 6.91; 95% CI 2.08–12.64), and oliguria (RR 5.39; 95% CI 1.80–10.69). Conclusion . In this setting, traditional admission laboratory and clinical tests were not useful in maternal mortality prediction. The analysis highlights clinical characteristics of women at highest risk for maternal death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This 2009 qualitative study investigated Haitian women's most pressing health needs, barriers to meeting those needs and proposed solutions, and how they thought the community and outside organizations should be involved in addressing their needs. The impetus for the study was to get community input into the development of a Family Health Centre in Leogane, Haiti. Individual interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 52 adult women in six communities surrounding Leogane. The most pressing health needs named by the women were accessible, available and affordable health care, potable water, enough food to eat, improved economy, employment, sanitation and education, including health education. Institutional corruption, lack of infrastructure and social organization, the cost of health care, distance from services and lack of transport as barriers to care were also important themes. The involvement of foreign organizations and local community groups, including grassroots women's groups who would work in the best interests of other women, were identified as the most effective solutions. Organizations seeking to improve women's health care in Haiti should develop services and interventions that prioritize community partnership and leadership, foster partnerships with government, and focus on public health needs. Cette étude qualitative de 2009 a enquêté sur les besoins de santé les plus pressants des Haïtiennes, les obstacles empêchant de les satisfaire et les solutions proposées, et comment la communauté et les organisations extérieures devaient à leur avis s'impliquer pour répondre à leurs besoins. La dynamique de l'étude était d'inclure les contributions communautaires dans la création d'un centre de santé familiale à Léogâne, Haïti. Des entretiens individuels et des discussions de groupe ont été menés avec 52 femmes adultes dans six communautés proches de Léogâne. Les besoins de santé les plus pressants cités par les femmes étaient des soins de santé accessibles, disponibles et d'un coût abordable, l'eau potable, suffisamment à manger, l'amélioration de la situation économique, des emplois, l'assainissement et l'éducation, y compris l'éducation sanitaire. La corruption institutionnelle, le manque d'infrastructures et d'organisation sociale, le coût des soins, la distance des services et l'absence de transport comme obstacles aux soins étaient aussi des points importants. La participation d'organisations étrangères et de groupes communautaires locaux, notamment des groupes de femmes qui agiraient dans les meilleurs intérêts d'autres femmes, a été identifiée comme la solution la plus efficace. Les organisations souhaitant améliorer les soins de santé des femmes en Haïti devraient créer des services et des interventions qui donnent la priorité au leadership et aux partenariats communautaires, favorisent la collaboration avec les autorités et se centrent sur les besoins de santé publique. En este estudio cualitativo realizado en 2009 se investigaron las necesidades de salud más apremiantes de las mujeres haitianas, las barreras para satisfacer esas necesidades, las soluciones propuestas y las opiniones de las mujeres en cuanto al rol de la comunidad y organizaciones externas para atender sus necesidades. El ímpetu del estudio fue obtener las ideas y opiniones de la comunidad respecto a la creación de un Centro de Salud de la Familia en Leogane, Haití. Se realizaron entrevistas individuales y discusiones en grupos focales con 52 mujeres adultas en seis comunidades alrededor de Leogane. Las necesidades de salud más apremiantes mencionadas por las mujeres fueron: servicios de salud accesibles y disponibles a precios asequibles, agua potable, suficientes alimentos para comer, mejor economía, empleo, servicios sanitarios y educación, incluida la educación sobre la salud. Además, mencionaron como barreras a los servicios de salud la corrupción institucional, la falta de infraestructura y organización social, el costo de los servicios de salud, la distancia a los servicios y la falta de transporte. Como las soluciones más eficaces se identificaron la participación de organizaciones extranjeras y grupos comunitarios, tales como grupos de mujeres de las bases, que trabajarían en beneficio de otras mujeres. Las organizaciones que buscan mejorar los servicios de salud para las mujeres de Haití deberían crear servicios e intervenciones que den prioridad al liderazgo y las alianzas comunitarios, fomentar alianzas con el gobierno y centrarse en las necesidades de salud pública. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]