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INTRODUCTION: The aim of this analysis is to present initial contraceptive choices of women offered postpartum contraception in rural Guatemala. METHODS: We trained community nurses participating in the delivery of a home-based antepartum and postpartum care program in rural Guatemala in contraceptive implant placement and had them offer condoms, pills, an injection, or an implant at women’s home-based 40-day postpartum visit in intervention clusters of a non-blinded, cluster-randomized trial. Women who had already started postpartum contraception or were over the age of 35 were excluded from participation. The primary outcome of the trial was contraceptive use at 3 months postpartum, so this initial analysis describes immediate preferences in the population. RESULTS: Of 208 women enrolled in the study, 108 were in intervention clusters and 100 lived in control clusters. In the intervention group, 32 women declined contraception, 36 women received the injectable, 30 women had an implant placed, 5 women started pills, 2 women chose condoms, and data on 3 women were missing. In the control clusters, 43 women were planning on the injectable, 11 planned on the implant, 10 did not want to start a method, 5 planned on sterilization, 2 aimed for natural family planning, 2 wanted a copper IUD, 1 woman wanted condoms, 18 did not know, and data on 8 women were missing. DISCUSSION: The contraceptive implant, which was not previously available in this community, had high uptake at 27.8% in the intervention group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04005391; Retrospectively Registered 7/2/2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04005391 PROTOCOL: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-019-3735-3

Objective: Our objective was to observe the prevalence of postpartum contraceptive use in a population of rural women in Southwest Guatemala by type, and to determine characteristics associated with long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) use and sterilization. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of prospectively collected quality improvement data from a cohort of postpartum women. We compared women intending to use or already using contraception to those not intending to utilize a method; bivariate comparisons were used to determine if there were differences in characteristics between these groups. If differences occurred (p < 0.2), those covariates were included in multivariable regression analyses to determine characteristics associated with use, and then specifically with LARC use and sterilization. Results: In a cohort of 424 women who were surveyed between 2015-2017, the average age was 23 years old, and the prevalence of use or plan to use postpartum contraception was 87.5%. Women with a parity of 2 - 3 were 10% more likely to use any form of postpartum birth control (RR 1.1, CI [1.01, 1.2]) compared to primiparous women. Women who were married were also more likely to use a postpartum method (RR > 10, CI [>10,>10]). The prevalence of LARC use was low (4.0%), and women were more likely to choose this method if they were employed (RR 3.5 CI [1.1, 11.3]). Regarding sterilization, women with a parity of greater than one compared to primiparous women had an increased likelihood of sterilization (RR 3.6 CI [2.5,4.9]); each year a woman aged was associated with a 10% increased likelihood of postpartum sterilization (RR 1.1 CI [1.01,1.08]). Women were also more likely to choose sterilization if delivered by a skilled birth attendant (RR 1.8 CI [1.1,2.9]) or by cesarean birth (RR 2.1 CI [1.4,3.1]). Conclusion: In this cohort, married women of higher parity were more likely to use postpartum contraception, with employed women more likely to use a LARC method. Older women of higher parity who were delivered by a skilled attendant by cesarean birth were the most likely to pursue sterilization.

The intention of our study was to establish the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) as well as risk factors for LBW in infants born to a convenience sample of women enrolled in a home visitation maternal care program associated with the Center for Human Development in Southwest Trifinio, Guatemala.This is an observational study analyzing self-reported data from a quality improvement database. We recorded the distribution of birthweights of infants born to women enrolled in Madres Sanas that delivered between October 2018 and December 2019. We grouped women by LBW (2500g ) and adequate birthweight (≥2500g) infants, and performed bivariate comparisons using sociodemographic, obstetric, and intrapartum data. Using the independent variables shown to have an association with LBW, we then performed a multivariable analysis.There were 226 births among our program participants, 218 with recorded birthweights. The median birthweight was 3175g; 13.8% were LBW (2500g), higher than Guatemala's average of 10.9%. Through our bivariate analysis, we determined women with LBW infants were younger, with a median age of 20.8 (IQR [17.8-23.7]) compared to a median age of 23.2 (IQR [19.8-27.3]) among women with infants ≥2500g (Two significant findings emerged from our analysis: LBW infants were more commonly born to women who were younger in age and who had received fewer than 4 prenatal visits. These findings are consistent with existing literature on LBW in Latin America. Our study helps to strengthen the data around these associations and gives credence to programming and policy efforts in Latin America that support adequate prenatal care for all and youth education about reproductive health and contraceptive access.

This analysis describes the interpregnancy interval (time from livebirth to subsequent conception) in a convenience sample of women living in Southwest Guatemala and the association of antepartum characteristics and postpartum outcomes with a short interpregnancy interval (

Background: Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy experience significant physical and mental health consequences and adverse birth outcomes. Our objective was to describe the prevalence of IPV, and risk factors associated with IPV in pregnant, rural Guatemalan women. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was complet- ed using quality improvement data gathered during routine prenatal health visits to women of Trifinio, Guatemala, by the Madres Sanas maternal health program from 2018 through 2020. Chi-square and t-tests were used to determine if there were differences in characteristics between women who self-reported experiencing IPV and those who did not. If differences occurred (p < 0.2), those covariates were included in a multivariable logistic regression to determine sociodem- ographic risk associated with IPV. Results: 583 women were enrolled with Madres Sanas between October 10, 2018, and October 1, 2020, and reported on IPV. Nineteen (3.26%) women reported experiencing IPV. The highest prevalence of IPV (7.6%) occurred in the sub-group of women who experienced food insecurity during the past year. The sole covariate of all sociodemographic and health characteristics which differed significantly between women who reported experiencing and not experiencing IPV was food insecurity. A regression model found that those who had worried about ability to buy food in the past year had a 3.19-fold increase in the odds that they experienced IPV (95% CI 1.072, 9.486, p-value 0.037). Conclusion: Among this convenience sample of women, the prevalence of IPV was 3.26%. Food insecurity was associated with increased odds of experiencing IPV, highlighting an opportunity for interventions.

OBJECTIVE: The use of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in low- and middle-income countries remains controversial. The aim of this secondary analysis was to observe factors associated with visiting a TBA in addition to a skilled nurse for antepartum care, and how this additional care was associated with birth characteristics and outcomes. METHODS: The study included a convenience sample of women living in Southwestern Guatemala enrolled in a community nursing program between October 1, 2018 and December 3, 2019. This analysis describes the sociodemographic characteristics, antepartum care, birth outcomes, and post-partum behaviors of women who received antepartum care with skilled nurses only compared to women who received antepartum care with skilled nurses and a TBA. RESULTS: Of the 316 enrollees, 259 had given birth and completed their postpartum visit at the time of analysis. Three women were excluded due to missing data. The majority of women in the study sample reported visiting aTBA over the course of their pregnancies (80.9%). Women who saw a TBA in addition to the nurse were similar to the comparator sample except that they were almost three times more likely to have 8 or more prenatal contacts with the nurse. In separate multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for number of prenatal visits, women who saw a TBA in addition to nurses had a reduced likelihood of cesarean birth, increased likelihood of birth with a TBA, and increased likelihood of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, compared to women who only received antenatal care from nurses. Patient-reported adverse outcomes were not included in the analysis due to low prevalence and concern about data quality and missing data. CONCLUSION: Among a convenience sample of women in the Trifinio community in rural Guatemala, a large proportion of women continued to seek the care of a TBA in pregnancy while utilizing a skilled nursing program for antenatal care. Intentionally integrating the TBA into the maternity care workforce may be beneficial for improving pregnancy care quality measures.

Design: We conducted a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized trial to observe characteristics associated with women who chose to use long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) compared to those who chose a short-acting method 12 months after enrollment. Methods: The trial studied four control and four intervention clusters where the intervention clusters were offered contraception at their 40-day routine postpartum visit; control clusters received standard care, which included comprehensive postpartum contraceptive counseling. Women were followed through twelve months postpartum. Results: The study enrolled 208 women; 94 (87.0%) were in the intervention group and 91 (91.0%) were in the control group. At twelve months, with 130 (70.3%) women using contraception at that time. 94 women (50.8%) were using a short acting method compared to 33 (17.9%) who chose a long-acting method, irrespective of cluster. In mixed effect regression modeling adjusted for cluster, characteristics associated with a reduced likelihood of choosing long-acting contraception in multivariate modeling included age (aRR 0.98 [0.96,0.99], p = 0.008) and any education (compared to no education; aRR 0.76 [0.60,0.95], p = 0.02). Women who were sexually active by their enrollment visit (40 days postpartum) were 30% more likely to opt for a long-acting method (aRR 1.30 [1.03,1.63], p = 0.03). Conclusion: Older and more educated women were less likely to be using LARC a year after enrollment, while women with a history of early postpartum sexual activity were more likely to choose LARC.

Objective Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is implicated in 30% of neonatal deaths. Since prostaglandins promote surfactant secretion and labor is associated with a lower risk of RDS in term neonates, it is plausible that synthetic prostaglandin (sPG) exposure is associated with a lower risk of RDS. Thus, we evaluated the association between sPG exposure and RDS in neonates born after the induction of labor (IOL). Study Design Secondary analysis of women with singleton pregnancies undergoing IOL at 340/7 to 420/7 weeks in the nuMoM2b study, a multicenter prospective cohort of nulliparous women. RDS rates and secondary neonatal outcomes in neonates with intrapartum sPG exposure were compared with those who had IOL with non-sPG methods (e.g., balloon catheter, amniotomy, oxytocin, and laminaria). Logistic regression models estimated the association of sPG with RDS and with secondary outcomes after adjustment for clinical and demographic factors (including gestational age). A sensitivity analysis was performed in which analysis was restricted to those with an admission cervical dilation ≤2 cm. Results Of 10,038 women in the total cohort, 3,071 met inclusion criteria; 1,444 were exposed and 1,627 were unexposed to sPGs. Antenatal corticosteroid exposure rates were low (3.0%) and similar between groups. In univariable analysis, neonates with sPG exposure had higher rates of RDS (3.2 vs. 2.0%, odds ratio [OR]: 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–2.50). This relationship was similar by gestational age at delivery (term vs. preterm, interaction p = 0.14). After adjustment, the association between sPG and RDS was no longer significant (adjusted odds ratio: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.9–2.3). When analysis was restricted to subjects with admission cervical dilation of ≤2 cm, there was also no association between sPG exposure and RDS. Conclusion In pregnancies between 34 and 42 weeks of gestation, exposure to sPG for cervical ripening or labor induction was not associated with newborn RDS. Key Points

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate trends and factors associated with mode of delivery in the rural Southwest Trifinio region of Guatemala. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of self-reported antepartum factors and postpartum outcomes recorded in a quality improvement database among 430 women enrolled in a home-based maternal healthcare program between June 1, 2015 and August 1, 2017. RESULTS: Over the study period, the rates of cesarean delivery (CD) increased (from 30% to 45%) and rates of vaginal delivery (VD) decreased (70% to 55%) while facility-based delivery attendance remained stable around 70%. Younger age (23.5 years for VD versus 21.6 years for CD, p < 0.001), nulliparity (25.1% for VD versus 45.0% for CD, p < 0.001), prolonged/obstructed labor (2.4% for VD versus 55.6% for CD, p < 0.001), and fetal malpresentation (0% for VD versus 16.3% CD, p < 0.001) significantly influenced mode of delivery in univariate analysis. The leading indications for CD were labor dysfunction (47.5%), malpresentation (14.5%), and prior cesarean delivery (19.8%). The CD rate among the subpopulation of term, nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies in vertex presentation also increased from 20% of all CD in 2015, to 38% in 2017. CONCLUSIONS: Among low-income women from rural Guatemala, the CD rate has increased above the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations in a period of 3 years. Additional research on the factors affecting this trend are essential to guide interventions that might improve the appropriateness of CD, and to determine if reducing or stabilizing rates is necessary.

Design: We executed a cluster-randomized parallel arm pragmatic trial to observe the association of home-based postpartum contraceptive provision, including the contraceptive implant, with three and 12-month contraceptive utilization, satisfaction, and pregnancy rates.Methods: Eight clusters were randomized to receive either the home-based contraceptive delivery (condoms, pills, injection, implant) during the routine 40-day postpartum visit in addition to routine care, or routine care alone, which included comprehensive contraceptive counseling throughout antepartum care. Results: 208 women were enrolled in the study, 108 in the intervention clusters and 100 in control clusters. 94 (87.0%) women in the intervention group and 91 (91%) of women in control clusters were evaluated 12 months post-enrollment. Likelihood of using contraception at that time was borderline increased in intervention clusters (RR 1.1 [1.0,1.3], p = 0.05) with an increased likelihood of long-acting contraceptive use (the implant; RR 1.6 [1.3,1.9], p < 0.001). Pregnancy rates were also borderline reduced in the intervention clusters (RR 1.0 [1.0,1.1], p = 0.07). There was no difference in satisfaction of women with contraceptive use between arms with about 95% of women very satisfied or a little satisfied in each arm. Continuation rates at twelve months of contraceptives in the intervention group were 0.0% for condom users, 80.0% for contraceptive pill users, 57% for injectable users, and 83% for implant users. Most women who discontinued their initial method chose a more long-term or permanent method. There was a trend toward a significant association with reduced short interval pregnancy.Conclusion: Our study had a borderline increase in overall use of contraception by 12 months, did have an increased likelihood of long-acting contraceptive use of the implant by 12 months, and resulted in a trend toward reduced short interval pregnancy in the intervention clusters as compared to control clusters. Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04005391; Retrospectively Registered 7/2/2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04005391Protocol: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-019-3735-3

Design This a cluster-randomized parallel arm pragmatic trial to observe the association of home-based postpartum contraceptive provision, including the contraceptive implant, with implant utilization rates at 3 months post-enrollment. Methods In a region of rural Guatemala referred to as the Southwest Trifinio, twelve communities are served by a community-based antenatal and postnatal care program. The communities were combined into eight clusters based on 2017 birth rates and randomized to receive the home-based contraceptive delivery (condoms, pills, injection, implant) during the routine 40-day postpartum visit. All participants receive comprehensive contraceptive counseling beginning at the first antenatal visit, so control clusters received this as part of routine care; this education preceded the study intervention. Results Once the 12 communities were combined into 8 clusters by expected birth volume and nurse team, which we expected to translate to eventual postpartum visits, the allocation sequence was generated in SAS. Of 208 women enrolled in the study, 108 were in four intervention and 100 in four control clusters. We used descriptive statistics to produce counts and percentages of characteristics of the study population overall and by intervention arm followed by univariate modeling using a mixed effects regression adjusted for cluster. Three-month contraceptive initiation rates were 56.0% in the control clusters compared to 76.8% in the intervention clusters, p p p Conclusion Our study was designed to respond to previously identified barriers to contraceptive uptake, and it was successful. Not only did it increase overall use of contraception by 3 months, but it shifted that contraceptive use away from short-acting methods in favor of longer-acting methods, with high continuation and satisfaction rates and no adverse outcomes reported. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04005391; Retrospectively Registered 7/2/2019

Design: This a cluster-randomized parallel arm pragmatic trial to observe the association of home-based postpartum contraceptive provision, including the contraceptive implant, with implant utilization rates at 3 months post-enrollment.Methods: In a region of rural Guatemala referred to as the Southwest Trifinio, twelve communities are served by a community-based antenatal and postnatal care program. The communities were combined into eight clusters based on 2017 birth rates and randomized to receive the home-based contraceptive delivery (condoms, pills, injection, implant) during the routine 40-day postpartum visit. All participants receive comprehensive contraceptive counseling beginning at the first antenatal visit, so control clusters received this as part of routine care; this education preceded the study intervention. Results: Once the 12 communities were combined into 8 clusters by expected birth volume and nurse team, which we expected to translate to eventual postpartum visits, the allocation sequence was generated in SAS. Of 208 women enrolled in the study, 108 were in four intervention and 100 in four control clusters. We used descriptive statistics to produce counts and percentages of characteristics of the study population overall and by intervention arm followed by univariate modeling using a mixed effects regression adjusted for cluster. Three-month contraceptive initiation rates were 56.0% in the control clusters compared to 76.8% in the intervention clusters, p < 0.001. Women in control clusters overwhelmingly opted for the injectable contraceptive (94.6%) while women in intervention clusters chose both the injection (61.5%) and the implant (33.7%), p < 0.001. Implant use by 3 months, the primary outcome of the study, was significantly higher in the intervention arm (25.9%) compared to the control arm (3.6%), p < 0.001, RR 1.3 CI [1.2, 1.4]. Conclusion: Our study was designed to respond to previously identified barriers to contraceptive uptake, and it was successful. Not only did it increase overall use of contraception by 3 months, but it shifted that contraceptive use away from short-acting methods in favor of longer-acting methods, with high continuation and satisfaction rates and no adverse outcomes reported.Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04005391; Retrospectively Registered 7/2/2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04005391Protocol: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-019-3735-3

A variety of microcephaly case definitions detect high background prevalence in rural Guatemala, which complicates congenital Zika screening efforts. In addition, gestational age is needed for most screening tools but is usually unknown in low-resource settings. Fenton growth curves, originally designed for use in preterm infants, offer a standardized approach to adjust for unknown gestational age and may improve screening efforts., Background: Congenital microcephaly is the result of a disturbance in early brain development and can have multiple etiologies. Establishing background prevalence of microcephaly in Zika virus (ZIKV)-affected areas is important for improving identification of ZIKV-affected newborns. However, to date, there is limited consistent guidance for the accurate identification of microcephaly in infants of unknown gestational age, a common concern in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: Occipital frontal head circumference (OFC) obtained from infants (0–13 days) of unknown gestational age at enrollment in a pregnancy registry in rural Guatemala from August 2014 to March 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Trained community health nurses recorded anthropometry in an online database. In April 2015, ZIKV was identified in this population. Gestational age was approximated in 2 ways: presumed term and estimated using z-score of zero for height on modified Fenton growth curves. After which, z-scores for OFC and weight were obtained. Microcephaly and microcephaly background prevalence were estimated using 7 established microcephaly case definitions from national and international organizations and 3 proposed definitions using Fenton growth curves. Independent associations with microcephaly and OFC, including relationship with date of birth, were assessed with prevalence ratios and linear regression. Results: For 296 infants, the mean OFC was 33.1 cm (range, 29.5 to 37 cm) and the mean OFC z-score was −0.68. Depending on case definition, 13 to 125 infants were classified as having microcephaly (background prevalence 439 to 4,223 per 10,000 live births), and 1 to 9 infants were classified as having severe microcephaly (

Background Postpartum contraception is important to prevent unintended and closely spaced pregnancies following childbirth. Methods This study is a cluster-randomized trial of communities in rural Guatemala where women receive ante- and postnatal care through a community-based nursing program. When nurses visit women for their postpartum visit in the intervention clusters, instead of providing only routine care that includes postpartum contraceptive education and counseling, the nurses will also bring a range of barrier, short-acting, and long-acting contraceptives that will be offered and administered in the home setting, after routine clinical care is provided. Discussion A barrier to postpartum contraception is access to medications and devices. Our study removes some access barriers (distance, time, cost) by providing contraception in the home. We also trained community nurses to place implants, which are a type of long-acting reversible contraceptive method that was previously only available in the closest town which is about an hour away by vehicular travel. Therefore, our study examines how home-based delivery of routinely available contraceptives and the less routinely available implant may be associated with increased uptake of postpartum contraception within 3 months of childbirth. The potential implications of this study include that nurses may be able to be trained to safely provide contraceptives, including placing implants, in the home setting, and provision of home-based contraception may be an effective way of delivering an evidence-based intervention for preventing unintended and closely spaced pregnancies in the postpartum period. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04005391. Retrospectively registered on 1 July 2019.

Background Few cluster-randomized trials have been performed in rural Guatemala. Our objective was to describe the feasibility, recruitment and retention in our cluster-randomized trial. Methods In our cluster-randomized trial, a range of contraceptives were brought to mothers’ homes in rural Guatemala. Results Of 173 women approached, 33 were excluded. Of the 140 eligible women, 127 (91%) consented to participate. Of the 87 women who should have been assessed for the primary outcome, three were lost to follow-up, which represents a retention rate of 97%. Conclusions Nurses who are both clinical providers and study staff can feasibly conduct research, which leads to high enrollment and retention rates.

We aimed to determine if group prenatal care affects the progression to A2 gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) when compared with conventional care for women with GDM.Prospective observational cohort of women diagnosed with GDM who attended group visits compared with a historical control group of women who received conventional obstetrical care in the year prior but would have met inclusion criteria for group care. The primary outcome was progression to A2 GDM. Secondary outcomes included antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum maternal outcomes and neonatal outcomes.A total of 165 subjects were included: 62 in group care and 103 in conventional care. Compared with patients with conventional care, group subjects were more likely to attend a postpartum visit (92% versus 66%; p = 0.002) and were almost 4 times more likely to receive recommended diabetes screening postpartum (OR 3.9, CI 1.8-8.6). Group subjects were much less likely to progress to A2 GDM (OR 0.15, CI 0.07-0.30). There were no differences in neonatal outcomes.Group prenatal care for women with diabetes is associated with decreased progression to A2 GDM and improved postpartum follow-up for appropriate diabetes screening without significantly affecting obstetrical or neonatal outcomes.

Introduction FGM/C has impacted over 200 million girls and women in over 30 countries. Many clinicians in the United States encounter FGM/C survivors but are not well equipped to recognize and manage FGM/C and its consequences. Our purpose is to improve patient-provider communication by evaluating the patient experience, perspective and feedback on FGM/C screening tools. Methods Women who have undergone FGM/C were identified and each consenting participant was interviewed using previously developed screening tools. Respondents were asked to provide feedback about their experience answering the questionnaire and its language. Interviews were analyzed using cognitive-interviewing analysis technique and feedback was then analyzed for codes and themes. Results Certain words in the questionnaire such as “heard”, “scar”, “sex” and “blaming" were changed and corresponding modifications were made to the screening tools based on participants feedback. Women's responses/reaction to the questions generated themes such as the embarrassing nature of discussions around sex, desire to discuss their own FGM/C experiences, and importance of discussions.

Introduction Our aim was to identify beliefs about and specific barriers to use of birth spacing methods that married and cohabitating women in the Trifinio Sur-Oeste region of Guatemala report in order to design future family planning educational programs. Methods We conducted key informant interviews with community health workers and focus groups with married or cohabitating women. We used inductive and deductive coding to identify common themes. Using these themes, we created explanatory models for decision-making context and identified barriers to family planning use, community educational needs, and potential interventions. Results Thirty-seven women, aged 20–47 years, with an average of 3.5 children and a 2nd grade education level, were included in focus groups. Women had accurate knowledge about benefits of birth spacing however had poor knowledge of family planning methods. Most common barriers included lack of spousal approval, difficulty accessing contraceptive methods, lack of knowledge, and fear of adverse effects. Women were interested in increased education for men, adolescents, and themselves. Discussion Targeted education for women, men, and adolescents is needed to improve family planning uptake in the Trifinio region. Programming should focus on increasing knowledge and acceptability of birth spacing methods and increasing constructive dialogue among couples.

In Guatemala the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is between 88 and 109 for every 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the Latin American region. Rural and indigenous populations in Guatemala experience disproportionately high maternal mortality as compared to urban, nonindigenous populations. Causes of maternal mortality and morbidity are most often viewed through the Three Delay framework. The first delay, deciding to seek care, is often due to a poor understanding of complications and risk factors presented during labor and often takes place at the household level. The second delay, reaching an adequate health care facility, is often caused by long distances to hospitals and health care centers, availability and cost of transport, poor roads and infrastructure, or fees required for medical care. The third delay, receiving adequate care, is most often due to poorly equipped medical facilities, a lack of medical supplies, inadequately trained medical staff, and/or inadequate referral systems. Solutions targeting these delays from the household to referral facility levels have been described in the global health literature. In rural Southwest Guatemala, the University of Colorado Center for Global Health partnered with a private Guatemalan agro-business to conduct a community maternal, neonatal, and child health needs assessment and then implement a maternal health program that targets the three delays with evidence-based solutions. Solutions implemented have focused on improving education of patients and health workers, increasing access and quality of care provided at each health system level, and improving health system infrastructure with thoughtful and efficient use of minimal resources. The problems identified, program successes, and difficulties encountered will be discussed.

Background. In 2011, a multistate outbreak of listeriosis linked to contaminated cantaloupes raised concerns that many pregnant women might have been exposed toListeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis during pregnancy can cause fetal death, premature delivery, and neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Little information is available to guide healthcare providers who care for asymptomatic pregnant women with suspectedL. monocytogenesexposure.Methods. We tracked pregnancy-associated listeriosis cases using reportable diseases surveillance and enhanced surveillance for fetal death using vital records and inpatient fetal deaths data in Colorado. We surveyed 1,060 pregnant women about symptoms and exposures. We developed three methods to estimate how many pregnant women in Colorado ate the implicated cantaloupes, and we calculated attack rates.Results. One laboratory-confirmed case of listeriosis was associated with pregnancy. The fetal death rate did not increase significantly compared to preoutbreak periods. Approximately 6,500–12,000 pregnant women in Colorado might have eaten the contaminated cantaloupes, an attack rate of ~1 per 10,000 exposed pregnant women.Conclusions. Despite many exposures, the risk of pregnancy-associated listeriosis was low. Our methods for estimating attack rates may help during future outbreaks and product recalls. Our findings offer relevant considerations for management of asymptomatic pregnant women with possibleL. monocytogenesexposure.

This study examined if familial and peer social support longitudinally predicted disordered eating for late adolescents in the transitional first year of college, and if body dissatisfaction mediated this relation. Gender differences between support types and disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction as a mediator, were also examined.651 late adolescent males and females (Mage=18.47) completed measures of social support at the end of the first semester of college and of disordered eating and body image approximately five months later, at the end of the first year.Lower levels of familial social support prospectively predicted greater disordered eating, but not greater body dissatisfaction, and lower levels of peer social support prospectively predicted greater body dissatisfaction but not greater disordered eating, above and beyond the other type of social support type, prior levels of body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and BMI. Body dissatisfaction did not mediate the relation between familial social support and disordered eating; however, it did significantly mediate the non-significant relation between peer social support and disordered eating, which was further moderated by gender.These findings suggest that parental social support remains a significant predictor of disordered eating for late adolescents even after they transition to college, and has a stronger relation to disordered eating than peer support. In contrast, peer social support seems to be especially linked to feelings of body dissatisfaction and may be an avenue for intervention of this type of negative self-perception that is a risk factor for later disordered eating.

Background Microcephaly is the result of disturbance in early brain development and has various causes. Zika was identified in Central America in early 2015. Establishing baseline microcephaly rates in areas affected by Zika is important for the assessment of the burden and contribution of Zika to microcephaly in low-resource settings. Methods We undertook a retrospective review of records from a community wellness programme in rural Guatemala where trained community health workers obtained data on weight, length, and head circumference for infants aged 0 to 13 days, enrolled in the programme between August 1, 2014, and March 31, 2016. We estimated gestational age using a Z-score of zero for length on the modified Fenton growth curve. Z-scores for head circumference and weight, adjusted for gestational age and sex, were then calculated. We used univariate logistic regression to test associations between microcephaly and low weight (Z ≤−1), small size for gestational age (weight below 10th percentile for gestational age), and sex. We analysed head circumference Z-scores and microcephaly for changes over time using birth month as well as multiple time-breaks (we compared infants born before versus after April 30, 2015; October 31, 2015; and January 31, 2016) with Student t-tests, and logistic and linear regression. Findings We included 296 infants: mean head circumference Z-score was −0·68 (95% CI −0·78 to −0·58). 20 infants (6·8%) had a head circumference Z-score ≤–2 and were considered to have microcephaly, giving a microcephaly prevalence of 676 per 10 000 livebirths. One infant (0·3%) had a head circumference Z-score ≤–3. Weight ≤–1 SD (OR 4·59 (1·69–12·41, p=0·003) and small for gestational age (6·65, 1·88–23·55, p=0·003) were associated with microcephaly. Sex was not significantly associated with microcephaly. Birth month and time-breaks were not associated with microcephaly nor with head circumference Z score. Interpretation Baseline neonatal microcephaly present in this rural Guatemalan community before and during Guatemala's early Zika epidemic is more than 100 and 300 times higher than baseline rates reported before the Zika virus epidemic in Puerto Rico and Brazil, respectively. Increased microcephaly rate associated with Zika epidemics in other countries was not detectable in our study population, probably because data were collected early in the Zika epidemic. High baseline microcephaly rates have important implications for neonatal screening programmes to identify infants congenitally infected with Zika in low-income countries. Funding The Center for Global Health at the University of Colorado and the Jose Fernando Bolanos Menendez Foundation provided funding for the wellness programme.

Objective: To describe the phenomenon of persistent vaginal bleeding intwo patients with severe anorexia nervosa. Method: We report two cases of young women with severe anorexia nervosa reporting vaginal bleeding that persisted for months despite trials of topical and systemic conjugated estrogen therapy. Result: A speculum exam by a gynecologist ultimately revealed the source of the bleeding to be tampon-induced vaginal ulcers. These resolved, along with the vaginal bleeding, with vaginal estrogen cream and cessation of tampon use. Discussion: Most patients with anorexia nervosa are amenorrheic due to reversion of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis to a prepubertal state. Vaginal bleeding in patients with anorexia nervosa may trigger needless systemic hormonal treatments, radiographic studies, and multiple physician visits. A careful exam is warranted to evaluate for the presence of tampon-induced vaginal ulcer in patients with anorexia nervosa who have persistent vaginal bleeding. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2010)