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Weerasingha TK, Ratnayake C, Abeyrathne R, Tennakoon SU. Evidence-based intrapartum care during vaginal births: Direct observations in a tertiary care hospital in Central Sri Lanka. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28517. [PMID: 38571647 PMCID: PMC10988013 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an effective approach to improve maternal and newborn outcomes at birth. Objective This study aimed to assess the current intrapartum practices of a tertiary care hospital in Central Province, Sri Lanka, during vaginal births. The benchmark for this assessment was the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommendations on intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience. Methods An observational study was conducted at the delivery room of Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya with the participation of 196 labouring women who were selected using systematic random sampling. A non-participant observation checklist covering labour room admission procedures, management of the first, second, and third stages of labour, and immediate care of the newborn and postpartum mother was used for the data collection. The care interventions implemented throughout labour and childbirth were observed and recorded. The data analysis was done using SPSS version 22. Results WHO-recommended practices such as providing privacy (33.2%), offering oral fluids (39.3%), and opioids for pain relief (48.5%) were found to be infrequent. Encouraging correct pushing techniques (77.6%), early breastfeeding (83.2%), regular assessment of vaginal bleeding (91.3%), skin-to-skin contact (93.4%), and using prophylactic uterotonics (100.0%) were found to be frequent. However, labour companionship, use of upright positions during labour, women's choice of birth position, and use of manual or relaxation techniques for pain relief were not observed in hospital intrapartum care. Conclusion The findings of the study indicate that additional attention and monitoring are required to align the current intrapartum care practices with the WHO recommendations. Moreover, the adoption of evidence-based intrapartum care should be encouraged by conveying the standard evidence-based intrapartum care guidelines to the grassroots level healthcare workers to avoid intrapartum interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chathura Ratnayake
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - R.M. Abeyrathne
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Sampath U.B. Tennakoon
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
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Nabirye RC, Mbalinda SN, Epuitai J, Nawagi F, Namyalo S, Nove A, Bazirete O, Hughes K, Lopes SC, Turkmani S, Forrester M, Homer CSE. Perceptions of quality of care in Midwife-led Birth Centres (MLBCs) in Uganda: Why do women choose MLBCs over other options? Women Birth 2024; 37:101612. [PMID: 38615515 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Midwife-led birth centres (MLBCs) are associated with reduced childbirth interventions, higher satisfaction rates, and improved birth outcomes. The evidence on quality of care in MLBCs from low and middle-income countries (LMIC) is limited. AIM This study aimed to explore the perceptions of women and midwives regarding the quality of care in four MLBCs in Uganda. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted in four MLBCs in Uganda. We conducted interviews with women and midwives in the MLBCs to explore their perceptions and experiences related to care in the MLBCs. The study obtained ethical approval. Deductive thematic analysis was used for data analysis. RESULTS Three key themes were identified regarding the perceptions of women and midwives about the quality of care in the MLBCs: providing respectful, and dignified care; a focus on woman-centred care; and reasons for choosing care in the MLBC. Women valued the respectful and humane care characterised by dignified and non-discriminatory care, non-abandonment, privacy, and consented care. The woman-centred care in the MLBC involved individualised holistic care, providing autonomy and empowerment, continuity of care, promoting positive birth experience, confidence in the woman's own abilities, and responsive providers. Women chose MLBCs because the services were perceived to be available, accessible, affordable, with comprehensive and effective referral mechanisms. CONCLUSION Women perceived care to be respectful, woman-centred, and of good quality. Global attention should be directed to scaling up the establishment of MLBCs, especially in LMIC, to improve the positive childbirth experience and increase access to care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sarah Namyalo
- Uganda Private Midwives Association, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Oliva Bazirete
- Novametrics Ltd, Duffield, United Kingdom; University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | | | - Sabera Turkmani
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mandy Forrester
- International Confederation of Midwives, The Hague, Netherlands
| | - Caroline S E Homer
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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Osaki H, Sørensen JB, Maaløe N, Mbekenga C, Skovdal M. "It is because the treatment of this lady is a cascade": Accumulation of delays and the occurrence of obstetric emergencies in an urban maternity unit in Tanzania. Midwifery 2024; 130:103926. [PMID: 38217929 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.103926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore healthcare workers' and women's experiences of providing and seeking childbirth care in a busy urban maternity facility in Tanzania. DESIGN A qualitative study with observations, in-depth interviews, and informal conversations, using thematic network analysis. SETTING This study was conducted in a busy urban maternity unit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania which is a low-resource setting with a need to improve childbirth care. PARTICIPANTS Six frontline healthcare providers and four hospital managers from the facility, along with six postpartum women who gave birth at the facility. FINDINGS Delays were observed throughout the childbirth care cascade, encompassing various stages. During antenatal care, timely provision of care was hindered by a high patientto-provider ratio, resulting in inadequate monitoring of risk factors. At the onset of labor, women delayed seeking care, sometimes, attempting a trial of labor after a previous Caesarean section. Within the facility, delays in care decision-making and patient management were evident due to insufficient resources. The accumulation of these delays over time influenced the quality of care provided and challenged the management of obstetric emergencies at the study facility. KEY CONCLUSIONS The study findings show that delays are prevalent throughout the entire childbirth care cascade. The accumulation of these delays over time has influenced the quality of care provided at the facility and increased the vulnerability of women experiencing obstetric emergencies. To effectively address the imperative of reducing maternal mortality in low-resource settings, it is essential to develop appropriate interventions that span the entire spectrum of childbirth care. Additionally, further research is needed to delve into the complexities of care decision-making and the quality of care delivered within urban maternal facilities. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Our findings stress the need for comprehensive childbirth interventions and contextspecific guidelines to address challenges across the care cascade, particularly in lowresource settings. Urgent attention is required to prioritize care during patient triage and address systemic challenges within the healthcare system to improve birth outcomes and ensure effective facility-based care provision. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04685668 Date of initial trial registration: December 28th, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haika Osaki
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Agha Khan University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| | | | - Nanna Maaløe
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Agha Khan University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Columba Mbekenga
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Agha Khan University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Faculty of Nursing, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Morten Skovdal
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Patel SJ, Truong S, DeAndrade S, Jacober J, Medina M, Diouf K, Meadows A, Nour N, Schantz-Dunn J. Respectful Maternity Care in the United States-Characterizing Inequities Experienced by Birthing People. Matern Child Health J 2024:10.1007/s10995-023-03893-0. [PMID: 38409453 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03893-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to understand experiences of respectful maternity care (RMC) from the perspective of birthing people in the United States from 2013 to 2018. METHODS We conducted an online cross-sectional survey of United States birthing people ages 18-50 in April 2018 using SurveyMonkey Audience. Quantitative survey data consisted of demographics and responses to RMC indicators. Qualitative data consisted of comments from individuals regarding their birth experiences. RESULTS 1036 birthing people participated in the survey. Most births (95%) occurred in hospitals. 16.3% of Black or African American participants reported discrimination compared to 5.5% of participants who did not identify as Black or African American (p < 0.001). Participants who speak a language other than English were also more likely to report discrimination. 19.5% of all respondents felt neglected during their birth experience. Most prevalent experiences of disrespect and mistreatment were related to neglect (most commonly in postpartum phase of care), poor interpersonal communication, lack of respect for patient wishes, negative experience with breastfeeding services, peripartum complications, and discrimination. CONCLUSION FOR PRACTICE Birthing people in the United States experience many forms of mistreatment, particularly those who identify as Black or African American or speak a language other than English. Patients described experiencing neglect most commonly after birth-an opportunity to improve the provision of RMC postpartum. Strategies to improve quality of maternal health care in the United States should include the provision of RMC as part of a larger effort to reduce inequities in maternal health experiences and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suha J Patel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, 96814, USA
| | - Samantha Truong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Samantha DeAndrade
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Julianne Jacober
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Matthew Medina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Khady Diouf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Audra Meadows
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Nawal Nour
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Julianna Schantz-Dunn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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Corsi Decenti E, Salvatore MA, Mandolini D, Sampaolo L, D'Aloja P, Donati S. Perinatal care in SARS-CoV-2 infected women: the lesson learnt from a national prospective cohort study during the pandemic in Italy. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2562. [PMID: 38129838 PMCID: PMC10740257 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17390-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the growing importance given to ensuring high-quality childbirth, perinatal good practices have been rapidly disrupted by SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This study aimed at describing the childbirth care provided to infected women during two years of COVID-19 emergency in Italy. METHODS A prospective cohort study enrolling all women who gave birth with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within 7 days from hospital admission in the 218 maternity units active in Italy during the periods February 25, 2020-June 30, 2021, and January 1-May 31, 2022. Perinatal care was assessed by evaluating the prevalence of the following indicators during the pandemic: presence of a labour companion; skin-to-skin; no mother-child separation at birth; rooming-in; breastfeeding. Logistic regression models including women' socio-demographic, obstetric and medical characteristics, were used to assess the association between the adherence to perinatal practices and different pandemic phases. RESULTS During the study period, 5,360 SARS-CoV-2 positive women were enrolled. Overall, among those who had a vaginal delivery (n = 3,574; 66.8%), 37.5% had a labour companion, 70.5% of newborns were not separated from their mothers at birth, 88.1% were roomed-in, and 88.0% breastfed. These four indicators showed similar variations in the study period with a negative peak between September 2020 and January 2021 and a gradual increase during the Alpha and Omicron waves. Skin-to-skin (mean value 66.2%) had its lowest level at the beginning of the pandemic and gradually increased throughout the study period. Among women who had a caesarean section (n = 1,777; 33.2%), all the indicators showed notably worse outcomes with similar variations in the study period. Multiple logistic regression analyses confirm the observed variations during the pandemic and show a lower adherence to good practices in southern regions and in maternity units with a higher annual number of births. CONCLUSIONS Despite the rising trend in the studied indicators, we observed concerning substandard childbirth care during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Continued efforts are necessary to underscore the significance of the experience of care as a vital component in enhancing the quality of family-centred care policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Corsi Decenti
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità - Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Michele Antonio Salvatore
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità - Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Mandolini
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità - Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Sampaolo
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità - Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola D'Aloja
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità - Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Donati
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità - Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
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Pugliese-Garcia M, Radovich E, Campbell OMR, Hassanein N, Khalil K, Benova L. Childbirth care in Egypt: a repeat cross-sectional analysis using Demographic and Health Surveys between 1995 and 2014 examining use of care, provider mix and immediate postpartum care content. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:46. [PMID: 31959149 PMCID: PMC6971907 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-2730-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Egypt has achieved important reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality and experienced increases in the proportion of births attended by skilled professionals. However, substandard care has been highlighted as one of the avoidable causes behind persisting maternal deaths. This paper describes changes over time in the use of childbirth care in Egypt, focusing on location and sector of provision (public versus private) and the content of immediate postpartum care. Methods We used five Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Egypt between 1995 and 2014 to explore national and regional trends in childbirth care. To assess content of care in 2014, we calculated the caesarean section rate and the percentage of women delivering in a facility who reported receiving four components of immediate postpartum care for themselves and their newborn. Results Between 1995 and 2014, the percentage of women delivering in health facilities increased from 35 to 87% and women delivering with a skilled birth attendant from 49 to 92%. The percentage of women delivering in a private facility nearly quadrupled from 16 to 63%. In 2010–2014, fewer than 2% of women delivering in public or private facilities received all four immediate postpartum care components measured. Conclusions Egypt achieved large increases in the percentage of women delivering in facilities and with skilled birth attendants. However, most women and newborns did not receive essential elements of high quality immediate postpartum care. The large shift to private facilities may highlight failures of public providers to meet women’s expectations. Additionally, the content (quality) of childbirth care needs to improve in both sectors. Immediate action is required to understand and address the drivers of poor quality, including insufficient resources, perverse incentives, poor compliance and enforcement of existing standards, and providers’ behaviours moving between private and public sectors. Otherwise, Egypt risks undermining the benefits of high coverage because of substandard quality childbirth care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Pugliese-Garcia
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | - Emma Radovich
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Oona M R Campbell
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Nevine Hassanein
- Gynuity Health Projects, Egypt team, 220 East 42nd, New York, NY, 10017, USA
| | | | - Lenka Benova
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.,Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Saronga HP, Duysburgh E, Massawe S, Dalaba MA, Wangwe P, Sukums F, Leshabari M, Blank A, Sauerborn R, Loukanova S. Cost-effectiveness of an electronic clinical decision support system for improving quality of antenatal and childbirth care in rural Tanzania: an intervention study. BMC Health Serv Res 2017; 17:537. [PMID: 28784130 PMCID: PMC5547541 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2457-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND QUALMAT project aimed at improving quality of maternal and newborn care in selected health care facilities in three African countries. An electronic clinical decision support system was implemented to support providers comply with established standards in antenatal and childbirth care. Given that health care resources are limited and interventions differ in their potential impact on health and costs (efficiency), this study aimed at assessing cost-effectiveness of the system in Tanzania. METHODS This was a quantitative pre- and post- intervention study involving 6 health centres in rural Tanzania. Cost information was collected from health provider's perspective. Outcome information was collected through observation of the process of maternal care. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for antenatal and childbirth care were calculated with testing of four models where the system was compared to the conventional paper-based approach to care. One-way sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine whether changes in process quality score and cost would impact on cost-effectiveness ratios. RESULTS Economic cost of implementation was 167,318 USD, equivalent to 27,886 USD per health center and 43 USD per contact. The system improved antenatal process quality by 4.5% and childbirth care process quality by 23.3% however these improvements were not statistically significant. Base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of the system were 2469 USD and 338 USD per 1% change in process quality for antenatal and childbirth care respectively. Cost-effectiveness of the system was sensitive to assumptions made on costs and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Although the system managed to marginally improve individual process quality variables, it did not have significant improvement effect on the overall process quality of care in the short-term. A longer duration of usage of the electronic clinical decision support system and retention of staff are critical to the efficiency of the system and can reduce the invested resources. Realization of gains from the system requires effective implementation and an enabling healthcare system. TRIAL REGISTRATION Registered clinical trial at www.clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT01409824 ). Registered May 2009.
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Affiliation(s)
- Happiness Pius Saronga
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Els Duysburgh
- International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Siriel Massawe
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Maxwell Ayindenaba Dalaba
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Ghana
- Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Wangwe
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Felix Sukums
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Antje Blank
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rainer Sauerborn
- Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Svetla Loukanova
- Department of General Medicine and Implementation Research, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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