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Mistreatment of women during childbirth is increasingly recognised as a significant issue globally. Research and programmatic efforts targeting this phenomenon have been limited by a lack of validated measurement tools. This study aimed to develop a set of concise, valid and reliable multidimensional measures for mistreatment using labour observations applicable across multiple settings. Data from continuous labour observations of 1974 women in Nigeria (n=407), Ghana (n=912) and Guinea (n=655) were used from the cross-sectional WHO's multicountry study 'How women are treated during facility-based childbirth' (2016-2018). Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to develop a scale measuring interpersonal abuse. Two indexes were developed through a modified Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development approach for generating composite indexes. Measures were evaluated for performance, validity and internal reliability. Three mistreatment measures were developed: a 7-item Interpersonal Abuse Scale, a 3-item Exams & Procedures Index and a 12-item Unsupportive Birth Environment Index. Factor analysis results showed a consistent unidimensional factor structure for the Interpersonal Abuse Scale in all three countries based on factor loadings and interitem correlations, indicating good structural construct validity. The scale had a reliability coefficient of 0.71 in Nigeria and approached 0.60 in Ghana and Guinea. Low correlations (Spearman correlation range: -0.06-0.19; p≥0.05) between mistreatment measures supported our decision to develop three separate measures. Predictive criterion validation yielded mixed results across countries. Both items within measures and measure scores were internally consistent across countries; each item co-occurred with other items in a measure, and scores consistently distinguished between 'high' and 'low' mistreatment levels. The set of concise, comprehensive multidimensional measures of mistreatment can be used in future research and quality improvement initiatives targeting mistreatment to quantify burden, identify risk factors and determine its impact on health and well-being outcomes. Further validation and reliability testing of the measures in other contexts is needed.

Author(s): Sylvia Sosa [sup.1] , Michael D. Kogan [sup.1] , Stephanie Garcia [sup.2] [sup.3] , Donna M. Strobino [sup.3] , Cynthia S. Minkovitz [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.454842.b, 0000 0004 [...], Purpose The Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau (HRSA MCHB) developed a three-tiered performance measure framework for the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant program (MCH Title V). The third tier, evidence-based/informed strategy measures (ESMs) are developed by states to address National Performance Measures (NPM) goals. To support states' efforts, MCHB funded the "Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health" (STE) to: (1) define the concept of evidence for the field with an emphasis on strength; (2) identify available evidence for each NPM, (3) translate ESM research for use at the state level; and (4) provide technical assistance (TA) to states to facilitate implementation. Description The program conducted evidence reviews defining an "evidence continuum" emphasizing a continuum of strength, provided individual and group TA to MCH Title V grantees, launched a TA referral system, and reviewed state ESMs to assess use of evidence-based/informed strategies. Assessment Ten evidence reviews identified multiple strategies as having "emerging" or "moderate" evidence. TA reached all MCH Title V programs, encompassing 59 US states and jurisdictions, and the TA referral system effectively partnered with MCHB resources. All MCH Title V states and territories submitted ESMs for the Block Grant program's first year reporting requirement. Conclusion STE is the first program to review available evidence on effective strategies addressing NPMs for MCH Title V. Identifying actionable next steps responsive to state needs will be a key factor for continued implementation of ESMs and achieving improvements in MCH.

Author(s): Lawrence D. Reid [sup.1] , Donna M. Strobino [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000 0001 2171 9311, grid.21107.35, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of [...], Objectives We examined biologic and social determinants of school readiness in an urban population and whether childcare altered these associations. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using school readiness data linked to birth certificates of first-time kindergarten students (n = 39,463) in a large, urban public-school district during 2002-2012. Multivariate linear regression models compared mean readiness scores (MRS) for students born low birthweight (LBW) or preterm (PTB) and by childcare type, adjusting for other student and parent risk factors. Results MRSs for moderately LBW (1000-2499 g), extremely LBW (< 1000 g), moderately PTB (28-36 weeks), early-term (37-38 weeks) and post-term (42 + weeks) students were significantly lower than scores for their normal weight or full-term peers, adjusting for childcare type and other student and parent characteristics. Childcare was an important predictor of MRSs. MRSs were highest for district prekindergarten (PK) students and for students of mothers with greater years of education. Conclusions for Practice Social and biologic differences in MRSs for children entering school in a large urban public-school district suggest the need for greater attention to family and child health backgrounds. Increased enrollment in formal childcare may improve school readiness in these settings.

Author(s): Elizabeth M. Harvey [sup.1] , Donna Strobino [sup.1] , Leslie Sherrod [sup.2] , Mary Catherine Webb [sup.3] , Caroline Anderson [sup.4] , Jennifer Arice White [sup.5] , Robert Atlas [...], Purpose Mercy Medical Center (MMC), a community hospital in Baltimore Maryland, has undertaken a community initiative to reduce low birth weight (LBW) deliveries by 10 % in 3 years. MMC partnered with a School of Public Health to evaluate characteristics associated with LBW deliveries and formulate collaborations with obstetricians and community services to improve birth outcomes. Description As part of the initiative, a case control study of LBW was undertaken of all newborns weighing

Addressing psychological trauma after childbirth requires accurate measurement of its prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes using validated instruments that distinguish perceptions of traumatic birth, subclinical post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, and symptoms meeting a diagnostic threshold. The purpose of this study was to review literature on psychological trauma following childbirth and appraise instruments that measure postpartum PTS. In January 2020, the authors searched for and evaluated peer-reviewed studies that quantitatively measured PTS following hospital-based live births in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland; 37 articles were selected and evaluated. Levels of post-traumatic stress disorder were most commonly measured, followed by PTS symptoms. Diagnostic instruments suggested lower PTS prevalence estimates than those screening for or assessing PTS symptoms. Community samples yielded lower prevalence estimates than samples recruited from the internet or settings specifically addressing mental health. Measurement sooner after birth yielded higher estimates. Study design, sample characteristics, instruments, and timing of measurements likely impact postpartum PTS prevalence estimates. Variation in these characteristics make it difficult to draw conclusions on the prevalence of postpartum PTS. Researchers should consider the appraisal of measurement tools presented here and use rigorous study methodology when studying traumatic birth experiences and evaluating interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction An increasing focus on a life course perspective in prevention and health promotion underscores the importance of preconception health [1]. A woman's health in the preconception period is linked, [...], Despite current guidelines that all reproductive age women receive preconception care (PCC), most US women do not, especially women with a prior birth. The objective of our study was to identify factors associated with receipt of PCC health promotion counseling among Maryland women and to assess whether prior birth outcome affects receipt of counseling. We analyzed Maryland pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system data for a stratified random sample of women with a live birth in 2009-2010; 3,043 women with PCC data were included in the analysis. The dependent variable was receipt of any PCC counseling, and the primary independent variable, prior pregnancy outcome (no prior live birth, term, preterm). 33.1% of the weighted sample received PCC. Odds of PCC were similar for women with a history of prior prior preterm birth (aOR 1.00, 95% CI 0.57-1.78) and no prior live birth, but decreased for women with a prior full term delivery (aOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.51-0.94). They were decreased for women with unintended births (aOR 0.36, 95% CI 0.26-0.51) and increased for women with a diagnosis of asthma (aOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.05-2.89) or diabetes (aOR 2.79, 95% CI 1.20-6.45), who used multivitamins (aOR 2.58, 95% CI 1.92-3.47), and had dental cleanings (aOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.16-2.18). Although selected preventive health behaviors and high-risk conditions were associated with PCC, most women did not receive PCC. Characterization of women who do not receive PCC health promotion counseling in Maryland may assist in efforts to enhance service delivery. Keywords Interconception care * Preconception care * Preventive care * Women&apos;s health

Introduction It is estimated that 40% of reproductive aged women overall and 30% of pregnant women have periodontal disease [1]. Pregnant women also appear to have a higher incidence of [...], Despite increasing recognition of the importance of oral health to overall health, dental care utilization remains low in the US. Given the established link between maternal oral health and child oral health, this study examined factors related to preventive dental care utilization at two critical time points, before and during pregnancy. Data were obtained from a sample of 6,171 women who delivered a live birth during 2004-2008 and completed the Maryland Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System postpartum survey. Multinomial logistic analyses examined associations between predisposing and enabling factors with dental cleaning before and during pregnancy. Women with less than a high school education or a history of physical abuse and non-Hispanic black and Hispanic women were less likely to report teeth cleaning before and during pregnancy. Having no insurance at the start of pregnancy was associated with significantly lower risk of teeth cleaning before pregnancy and both before and during pregnancy. Receipt of oral health counseling during pregnancy was positively related to teeth cleaning during pregnancy. Dental cleaning is associated with insurance, oral health counseling and maternal factors such as race, ethnicity, education and history of physical abuse. Better integration of oral health into prenatal health care, particularly among ethnic and racial minority groups, may be beneficial to maternal and infant well-being. Oral health promotion, disease prevention and health care should be a part of the local, state and national health policy agendas. Keywords Dental care utilization * Oral health * Pregnancy * Prenatal care * PRAMS

THIS ANNUAL ARTICLE is a long-standing feature in Pediatrics. In this article we provide a summary of vital-statistics data through 2005. For birth data, the most current information for 2005 [...], The general fertility rate in 2005 was 66,7 births per 1000 women aged 15 to 44 years, the highest level since 1993. The birth rate for teen mothers (aged 15 to 19 years) declined by 2% between 2004 and 2005, falling to 40.4 births per 1000 women, the lowest ever recorded in the 65 years for which there are consistent data. The birth rates for women ≥ 30 years of age rose in 2005 to levels not seen in almost 40 years. Childbearing by unmarried women also increased to historic record levels for the United States in 2005, The cesarean-delivery rate rose by 4% in 2005 to 30.2% of all births, another record high. The preterm birth rate continued to rise (to 12.7% in 2005), as did the rate for low birth weight births (8.2%). The infant mortality rate was 6.79 infant deaths per 1000 live births in 2004, not statistically different from the rate in 2003. Pronounced differences in infant mortality rates by race and Hispanic origin continue, with non-Hispanic black newborns more than twice as likely as non-Hispanic white and Hispanic infants to die within 1 year of birth. The expectation of life at birth reached a record high in 2004 of 77.8 years for all gender and race groups combined. Death rates in the United States continued to decline, with death rates decreasing for 9 of the 15 leading causes. The crude death rate for children aged 1 to 19 years did not decrease significantly between 2003 and 2004. Of the 10 leading causes of death for 2004 in this age group, only the rates for influenza and pneumonia showed a significant decrease. The death rates increased for intentional self-harm (suicide), whereas rates for other causes did not change significantly for children. A large proportion of childhood deaths continue to occur as a result of preventable injuries. Key Words birth, death, teenage fertility, infant mortality, low birth weight, mortality, multiple births, cesarean rate, vital statistics, ICD-10, revised certificates

IN THIS ARTICLE WE provide a summary of vital statistics data through 2004. For birth data, the most current information for 2004 is based on preliminary data, whereas the more [...], The crude birth rate in 2004 was 14.0 births per 1000 population, the second lowest ever reported for the United States. The number of births and the fertility rate (66.3) increased slightly (by The birth rate for teen mothers continued to fall, dropping 1% from 2003 to 2004 to 41.2 births per 1000 women aged 15 to 19 years, which is another record low. The teen birth rate has fallen 33% since 1991; declines were more rapid for younger teens aged 15 to 17 (43%) than for older teens aged 18 to 19 (26%). The proportion of all births to unmarried women is now slightly higher than one third. Smoking during pregnancy declined slightly from 2003 to 2004. In 2004, 29.1% of births were delivered by cesarean delivery, up 6% since 2003 and 41% since 1996 (20.7%). The primary cesarean delivery rate has risen 41% since 1996, whereas the rate of vaginal birth after a previous cesarean delivery has fallen 67%. The use of timely prenatal care was 84.0% in both 2003 and 2004. The percentage of preterm births rose to 12.5% in 2004 from 10.6% in 1990 and 9.4% in 1981. The percentage of low birth weight births also increased to 8.1% in 2004, up from 6.7% in 1984. Twin birth rate and triplet/+ birth rates increased by 1% and < 1%, respectively, from 2002 to 2003. Multiple births accounted for 3.3% of all births in 2003. The infant mortality rate was 7.0 per 1000 live births in 2002 compared with 6.8 in 2001. The ratio of the infant mortality rate among non-Hispanic black infants to that for non-Hispanic white infants was 2.4 in 2002, the same as in 2001. The United States continues to rank poorly in international comparisons of infant mortality. Expectation of life at birth reached a record high of 77.6 years for all gender and race groups combined. Death rates in the United States continue to decline, with death rates decreasing for 8 of the 15 leading causes. Death rates for children ≤ 19 years of age declined for 7 of the 10 leading causes in 2003. The death rates did not increase for any cause, and rates for heart disease, influenza, and pneumonia and septicemia did not change significantly for children as a group. A large proportion of childhood deaths, however, continue to occur as a result of preventable injuries. www.pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/ peds.2005-2587 doi:10.1542/peds.2005-2587 Key Words birth, death, infant mortality, low birth weight, mortality, multiple births, cesarean delivery rate, vital statistics, ICD-10, revised certificates Abbreviations NCHS--National Center for Health Statistics IMR--infant mortality rate NMR--neonatal mortality rate PNMR--postneonatal mortality rate PMR--perinatal mortality rate FMR--fetal mortality rate OMB--Office of Management and Budget LBW--low birth weight VBAC--vaginal birth(s) after previous cesarean VLBW--very low birth weight