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Kim YJ, Li L, Hwang JY. A Maternity Waiting Home Is an Alternative Approach for the Accessibility of Pregnant Women in an Obstetrically Underserved Area of Korea. J Korean Med Sci 2023; 38:e164. [PMID: 37128881 PMCID: PMC10151618 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We analyzed whether a maternity waiting home (MWH) for pregnant women in an obstetrically underserved area of Gangwon-do in Korea, which has been in operation since August 2018, has improved the accessibility of a maternity hospital and pregnancy outcomes. METHODS We compared and analyzed the accessibility of maternity hospitals for 170 pregnant women who applied for the MWH from August 2018 to May 2022. Among the 170 participants, 64 were MWH users and 106 non-users. The effect on pregnancy outcomes between MWH users and non-users was analyzed in the 160 people who achieved a pregnancy outcome. RESULTS Although the average distance and travel time from the pregnant women's residence in the obstetrically underserved area to a maternity hospital were 56.4 ± 1.6 km and 63.4 ± 1.4 minutes, respectively, the average distance between the MWH and the MWH users' maternity hospital was 2.7 ± 0.2 km, and the travel time was 10.7 ± 0.6 minutes. The distance was 55.6 km closer on average and the travel time 54.1 minutes shorter. MWH users gave birth at a significantly later gestation age (38.9 ± 0.2 vs. 38.3 ± 0.15 weeks, P = 0.024) and to infants with heavier birth weights (3,300 ± 60 vs. 3,100 ± 50 gm, P = 0.024) compared with non-users. The rate of Cesarean section was significantly higher in the MWH users (47.5% vs. 44.6%, P = 0.047). The MWH users tended to be associated with a lower rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission (5.1% vs. 11.0%, P = 0.204), lower birth weight (< 2.5 kg) (1.7% vs. 8.0%, P = 0.155), and lower fetal death rate in the uterus (0% vs. 1.0%, P = 1.0) compared with non-users, but the differences were not significant. CONCLUSION The MWH helped pregnant women in obstetrically underserved areas by improving accessibility to a maternity hospital and lengthening gestation. As a result, neonatal birth weight was heavier for MWH users than non-users. MWHs in Korea can provide an alternative way to improve accessibility to maternity healthcare for pregnant women in obstetrically underserved areas, where it is difficult to establish maternity hospitals, and thereby will improve their pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Jin Kim
- Infrastructure Establishment Team for Safe Pregnancy and Childbirth, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Lan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangwon National University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Jong Yun Hwang
- Infrastructure Establishment Team for Safe Pregnancy and Childbirth, Chuncheon, Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangwon National University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
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Min HS, Kim S, Kim S, Lee T, Kim SY, Ahn HS, Choe SA. Is limited access to obstetric services associated with adverse birth outcomes? A cross-sectional study of Korean national birth data. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e056634. [PMID: 35589342 PMCID: PMC9121485 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The geographical disparity in the access to essential obstetric services is a public health issue in many countries. We explored the association between timely access to obstetric services and the individual risk of adverse birth outcomes. DESIGN Repeated cross-sectional design. SETTING South Korean national birth data linked with a medical service provision database. PARTICIPANTS 1 842 718 singleton livebirths from 2014 to 2018. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES Preterm birth (PTB), post-term birth, low birth weight (LBW) and macrosomia. RESULTS In the study population, 9.3% of mothers lived in districts where the Time Relevance Index (TRI) was as low as the first quartile (40.6%). Overall PTB and post-term birth rates were 5.0% and 0.1%, respectively. Among term livebirths, LBW and macrosomia occurred in 1.0% and 3.3%, respectively. When the TRI is lower, representing less access to obstetric care, the risk of macrosomia was higher (adjusted OR=1.15, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.20 for Q1 compared with Q4). Similarly, PTB is more likely to occur when TRI is lower (1.05, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.10 for Q1; 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.05 for Q2). There were some inverse associations between TRI and post-term birth (0.80, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.91, for Q2; 0.84, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.93, for Q3). CONCLUSIONS We observed less accessibility to obstetric service is associated with higher risks of macrosomia and PTB. This finding supports the role of obstetric service accessibility in the individual risk of adverse birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Sook Min
- Research Institute of Public Healthcare, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Saerom Kim
- Research Institute of Public Healthcare, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- Gender and Health Research Center, People's Health Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seulgi Kim
- Public Health Science, Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul, Korea
| | - Taeho Lee
- Public Healthcare Policy, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun-Young Kim
- Cancer Control and Population Health, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Hyeong Sik Ahn
- Preventive Medicine, Korea University-Anam Campus, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Ah Choe
- Preventive Medicine, Korea University-Anam Campus, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea
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Nishimwe C, Mchunu GG, Mukamusoni D. Community- based maternal and newborn interventions in Africa: Systematic review. J Clin Nurs 2021; 30:2514-2539. [PMID: 33656214 PMCID: PMC8451830 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.15737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM AND OBJECTIVES This review analysed the implementation and integration into healthcare systems of maternal and newborn healthcare interventions in Africa that include community health workers to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. BACKGROUND Most neonatal deaths (99%) occur in low- and middle-income countries, with approximately half happening at home. In resource-constrained settings, community-based maternal and newborn care is regarded as a sound programme for improving newborn survival. Health workers can play an important role in supporting families to adopt sound health practices, encourage delivery in healthcare facilities and ensure timeous referral. Maternal and newborn mortality is a major public health problem, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 were not achieved at the end of 2015. METHODS The review includes quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies, with a data-based convergent synthesis design being used, and the results grouped into categories and trends. The review took into account the participants, interventions, context and outcome frameworks (PICO), and followed the adapted PRISMA format for reporting systematic reviews of the qualitative and quantitative evidence guide checklist. RESULTS The results from the 17 included studies focused on three themes: antenatal, delivery and postnatal care interventions as a continuum. The main components of the interventions were inadequate, highlighting the need for improved planning before each stage of implementation. A conceptual framework of planning and implementation was elaborated to improve maternal and newborn health. CONCLUSION The systematic review highlight the importance of thoroughly planning before any programme implementation, and ensuring that measures are in place to enable continuity of services. RELEVANT TO THE CLINICAL PRACTICE Conceptual framework of planning and implementation of maternal and newborn healthcare interventions by maternal community health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemence Nishimwe
- School of Nursing and Public HealthUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalHoward CollegeDurbanSouth Africa
- Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Division (HEARD)University of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Kibogora PolytechnicNyamashekeRwanda
| | - Gugu G. Mchunu
- School of Nursing and Public HealthUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalHoward CollegeDurbanSouth Africa
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After 20 years of low fertility, where are the obstetrician-gynecologists? Obstet Gynecol Sci 2021; 64:407-418. [PMID: 34265193 PMCID: PMC8458616 DOI: 10.5468/ogs.21138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Korea has entered a stage of low fertility, with a total fertility rate of 1.178 in 2002 and 0.92 in 2019. The low birth rate has led to the closure of obstetric hospitals and clinics from 1,371 maternity health facilities in 2003 to 541 in 2019, which is 39.5% compared to 2003. Since 2011, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been operating an “Obstetrically Underserved Areas Support Project,” however, a shortage of obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) who can participate in labor and delivery is a major problem. In 2019, there were 5,800 OB/GYNs practicing. Of these, 4,225 (72.8%) were working in obstetrics-gynecology hospitals, each responsible for 2,855 fertile women. Their average age was 51.8 years. A total of 2,659 (45.9%) worked in clinics and 3,110 (73.6%) were working in metropolitan districts. Only 124 OB/GYNs (2.9%) worked in vulnerable rural areas. OB/GYNs working in obstetric hospitals were responsible for 113.8 newborns in 2019. Their average age was 50.1 years. Of them, 67.4% were working in hospitals, 74.1% in urban areas, and only 60 specialists (2.3%) were working in rural areas. To establish a safe childbirth environment during an era of low fertility, it is important to have obstetricians in charge of childbirth. The government should establish a comprehensive long-term plan to resolve the shortage of OB/GYNs.
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Burrus AD, Shaw-Williams MM, Thagard AS. Optimizing Fetal Aneuploidy Screening in an Austere Military Clinical Environment: A Prenatal Cost Comparison. Mil Med 2021; 186:e410-e414. [PMID: 33181837 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Austere clinical settings, including remote military installations, face unique challenges in screening pregnant women for aneuploidy. The objective of this study was to compare the direct and indirect prenatal costs of traditional 2-part serum-based screening to cell-free DNA (cfDNA) for detection of trisomies 18 and 21 for a military treatment facility with limited in-house perinatal resources. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay as a surrogate for an austere clinical environment. A prenatal cost of care analysis incorporating direct and indirect expenses was performed to compare the 2 aneuploidy screening strategies for a theoretical cohort of 100 patients for detection of trisomies 18 and 21. The baseline aneuploidy uptake rate was determined using a historical cohort. Test performance characteristics were obtained from the contracting laboratory. Aneuploidy rates and costs were calculated using previously published data. RESULTS Assuming a baseline screen uptake rate of 87%, initial screening using the traditional approach would directly cost $8,285.01 versus $44,140.32 with cfDNA. Considering indirect costs such as travel, consultative services, evaluation and follow-up testing of an abnormal screen result, and lost productivity, the cost difference narrows to $14,458.25 over a 5- to 6-year period. Cost equivalence is achieved when cfDNA is priced at $341.17 per test. CONCLUSION Cell-free DNA as an initial screening strategy offers enhanced detection rates for trisomies 18 and 21 but remains more costly than traditional screening when incorporating direct and indirect expenses. In a low volume setting with limited resources, the added cost may be justified given the implications of unrecognized aneuploidy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashton D Burrus
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Michelle M Shaw-Williams
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA 23708, USA
| | - Andrew S Thagard
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA 23708, USA
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Physiologic Changes during Sponge Bathing in Premature Infants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18052467. [PMID: 33802268 PMCID: PMC7967592 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we observed physiological reactions of premature infants during sponge bathing in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The infants’ body temperature, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were monitored to examine hypothermia risks during bathing. The participants of the study were 32 premature infants who were hospitalized right after their birth in the V hospital in Korea between December 2012 and August 2013. The informed consents of the study were received from the infants’ parents. The infants were randomly assigned into two-day and four-day bath cycle groups and their physiological reactions were monitored before bathing as well as 5 and 10 min after bathing. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package through t-test. A significant drop in body temperature was noted in both groups; that is, 4-day bathing cycle and 2-day bathing cycle (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant changes in heart rate or transcutaneous oxygen levels. There was no significant change between groups at each measurement point. In order to minimize the physiological instability that may be caused during bathing, the care providers should try to complete bathing within the shortest possible time and to make bathing a pleasant and useful stimulus for infants.
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Lee JS, Oh JS, Kim YJ, Hong S, Lee CK, Yoo B, Kim YG. Effects of Pregnancy and Delivery Methods on Change in Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment Using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service Claims Database. J Korean Med Sci 2019; 34:e238. [PMID: 31559710 PMCID: PMC6763397 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) show a higher rate of cesarean section (CS) compared with healthy women. In this study, we determined the effects of pregnancy and delivery methods on AS worsening by analyzing prescription patterns. METHODS The subjects were women with AS aged 20-49 years listed in the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims database. Change in treatment was defined as change in prescriptions 1-2 years before delivery or 1 year after delivery. We compared change in prescriptions between AS women with delivery or without delivery (1:1 matched). Moreover, we evaluated change in prescriptions according to delivery method among AS women with delivery. RESULTS A total of 6,821 women with AS were included. Women in the delivery group (n = 996) were younger and showed less drug use and lower comorbidity rates than those in the no delivery group. Change in prescriptions did not differ between the delivery and no delivery groups (odds ratio [OR], 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-1.05). Furthermore, the overall change in prescriptions did not significantly differ between vaginal delivery (VD) and CS (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.45-1.14). CONCLUSION The rate of change in prescriptions was comparable between AS patients with and without delivery. There was no association between the method of delivery and change in prescription. Therefore, pregnancy and VD may not be the factors associated with AS worsening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Sun Lee
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Seon Oh
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ye Jee Kim
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seokchan Hong
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang Keun Lee
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bin Yoo
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong Gil Kim
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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