Adapting group care to the postpartum period using a human-centered design approach in Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Responsive and resilient strategies to reduce high rates of maternal and infant mortality and clinician shortages are needed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Malawi has some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates globally. Group healthcare is a service delivery model that integrates these strategies. Although primarily implemented during the prenatal period, its potential for improving both maternal and infant health outcomes during the postpartum period has not been realized. The purpose of this study was to adapt and co-design the prototype for an evidence-based group care model for the postpartum period using a human-centered design approach with key stakeholders in Malawi. METHODS: We completed steps of a framework guiding the use of human-centered design: 1) define the problem and assemble a team; 2) gather information through evidence and inspiration; 3) synthesize; and 4) intervention design: guiding principles and ideation. Qualitative methods were used to complete steps 2-4. In-depth interviews (n = 24), and incubator sessions (n = 6) that employed free listing, pile sorting and ranking were completed with key stakeholders. Data analysis consisted of content analysis of interviews and framework analysis for incubator sessions to produce the integrated group postpartum and well-child care model prototype. The fifth step is detailed in a separate paper. RESULTS: All stakeholders reported a desire to participate in and offer group care in the postpartum period. Stakeholders worked collaboratively to co-create the prototype that included a curriculum of health promotion topics and interactive activities and the service delivery structure. Health promotion topic priorities were hygiene, breastfeeding, family planning, nutrition, and mental health. The recommended schedule included 6 sessions corresponding with the child vaccination schedule over the 12-month postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS: Using a human-centered design approach to adapt an evidence-based group care model in an LMIC, specifically Malawi, is feasible and acceptable to key stakeholders and resulted in a prototype curriculum and practical strategies for clinic implementation.

Difficulties experienced by health care professionals who performed home visits to screen for postpartum depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression is a risk factor for suicide and maltreatment of children, and its early detection and appropriate intervention are issues to be resolved. In Japan, local governments are working to detect postpartum depression early by conducting home visits to families with infants within 4 months postpartum, but home-visit professionals have faced new difficulties due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that started in 2020. The purpose of this study was to clarify the difficulties experienced by health care professionals who perform home visits to screen for postpartum depression. METHODS: Focus-group interviews were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic with health care professionals (n = 13) who make postpartum home visits to families with infants within 4 months. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four main categories were identified that describe the difficulties experienced by health care professionals: "Lack of support for partners," "Difficulty in talking face-to-face," "Inability to offer family assistance," and "Anxiety about being a source of infection." CONCLUSIONS: This study shed light on the difficulties faced by professionals in supporting mothers and children in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although these difficulties were considered to have become apparent during the pandemic, the results may offer an important perspective for postpartum mental health support even after the pandemic ends. Accordingly, it may be necessary for these professionals to receive supported through multidisciplinary collaboration in order to improve postpartum care in the community.

Análise da prevalência de óbitos maternos em São Luís, Maranhão, durante 2008-2018 / Análisis de la prevalencia de muertes maternas en São Luís, Maranhão, durante 2008-2018 / Analysis of the prevalence of maternal deaths in São Luís, Maranhão, during 2008-2018

Objetivo: investigar a prevalência de óbitos maternos ocorridos entre 2008 e 2018. Método: estudo descritivo, exploratório, transversal, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado no município de São Luís, Maranhão. A amostra foi composta por 161 óbitos maternos cujos dados epidemiológicos foram disponibilizados publicamente por meio do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde. A coleta de dados foi realizada no 1º semestre de 2021, entre os meses de abril e maio. O tratamento dos dados se deu por meio de análise uni-variada. Resultados: prevalência de mulheres entre 20-29 anos, solteira, de 8-11 anos de estudos e pardas. Quanto ao mês e ano de notificação, houve prevalência em abril e em 2010. A causa mais prevalente foi a eclampsia. Destaca-se que estes óbitos foram mais recorrentes durante o puerpério, até 42 dias. Conclusão: houve redução significativa dos óbitos maternos em um período de 10 anos, porém aumentaram-se os fatores de risco, principalmente cardiovasculares, em mulheres jovens, sendo necessárias as ações de identificação e controle das complicações.(AU)

Objective: to investigate the prevalence of maternal deaths that occurred between 2008 and 2018. Method: descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, conducted in the municipality of São Luís, Maranhão. The sample was composed of 161 maternal deaths whose epidemiological data were publicly available through the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System. Data collection was conducted in the 1st half of 2021, between the months of April and May. Data were treated using univariate analysis. Results: prevalence of women aged 20-29 years, single, 8-11 years of schooling, and mixed race. As for the month and year of notification, there was prevalence in April and in 2010. The most prevalent cause was eclampsia. It is noteworthy that these deaths were more recurrent during the puerperium, up to 42 days. Conclusion: there was a significant reduction in maternal deaths over a 10-year period, but risk factors increased, especially cardiovascular factors in young women, requiring actions to identify and control complications(AU)

Objetivo: investigar la prevalencia de las muertes maternas ocurridas entre 2008 y 2018. Método: estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, transversal, cuantitativo, realizado en São Luís, Maranhão. La muestra fue compuesta por 161 muertes maternas cuyos datos epidemiológicos fueran disponibles públicamente a través del Departamento de Informática del Sistema Único de Salud. La recogida de datos se llevó a cabo en el primer semestre de 2021, entre los meses de abril y mayo. El tratamiento de los datos se realiza mediante un análisis univariable. Resultados: prevalencia de mujeres entre 20-29 años, soltera, de 8-11 años de estudios y pardas. En cuanto a los meses y años de notificación, la prevalencia fue en abril y en 2010. La causa más frecuente fue la eclampsia. Destaca que estos óbitos fueron más recorridos durante el puerperio, hasta los 42 días. Conclusión: hube reducción significativa de los óbitos maternos en un período de 10 años, pero aumentó los factores de riesgo, principalmente cardiovasculares, en las mujeres jóvenes, siendo necesarias las acciones de identificación y control de las complicaciones.(AU)

The Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program for aboriginal mothers and babies: Describing client complexity and implications for program delivery.

CONTEXT: The Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program is a home visiting program for Aboriginal mothers and infants (pregnancy to child's second birthday) adapted from the US Nurse Family Partnership program. It aims to improve outcomes for Australian Aboriginal mothers and babies, and disrupt intergenerational cycles of poor health and social and economic disadvantage. The aim of this study was to describe the complexity of Program clients in the Central Australian family partnership program, understand how client complexity affects program delivery and the implications for desirable program modification. METHODS: Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program data collected using standardised data forms by nurses during pregnancy home visits (n = 276 clients from 2009 to 2015) were used to describe client complexity and adversity in relation to demographic and economic characteristics, mental health and personal safety. Semi-structured interviews with 11 Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program staff and key stakeholders explored in more depth the nature of client adversity and how this affected Program delivery. FINDINGS: Most clients were described as "complicated" being exposed to extreme poverty (66% on welfare), living with insecure housing, many experiencing domestic violence (almost one third experiencing 2 + episodes of violence in 12 months). Sixty-six percent of clients had experienced four or more adversities. These adversities were found challenging for Program delivery. For example, housing conditions mean that around half of all 'home visits' could not be conducted in the home (held instead in staff cars or community locations) and together with exposure to violence undermined client capacity to translate program learnings into action. Crises with the basics of living regularly intruded into the delivery of program content, and low client literacy meant written hand-outs were unhelpful for many, requiring the development of pictorial-based program materials. Adversity increased the time needed to deliver program content. CONCLUSIONS: Modifications to the Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program model to reflect the specific complexities and adversities faced by the client populations is important for effective service delivery and to maximise the chance of meeting program goals of improving the health and well-being of Australian Aboriginal mothers and their infants.

Maternal and child health nurses work with refugee families: Perspectives from regional Victoria, Australia.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore service provision for Victorian regional refugee families from the perspective of maternal and child health nurses. BACKGROUND: Increasingly, more families from a refugee background are resettling in regional Victoria. The refugee journey has significant effect on families. Refugee families with infants and young children can be provided with support by maternal and child health services; however, many families experience barriers to ongoing engagement with this service. DESIGN: This descriptive study used focus group and questionnaire. A purposive sample of 26 maternal and child health nurses was drawn from six municipalities throughout regional Victoria, where higher numbers of people from a refugee background resettle. Six focus groups were held in 2014. Audio-recorded narratives were transcribed, prior to inductive thematic analysis. METHODS: This descriptive study used focus group and questionnaire. A purposive sample of 26 Maternal and Child Health nurses was drawn from six municipalities throughout regional Victoria where higher numbers of people from a refugee background resettle. Six focus groups were held in 2014. Audio-recorded narratives were transcribed verbatim, prior to inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participating nurses were experienced nurses, averaging 12 years in the service. Four major themes emerged from thematic analysis: "How to identify women from a refugee background"; "The Maternal and Child Health nurse role when working with families from a refugee background"; "Interpreting issues"; and "Access to other referral agencies." Nurses worked to develop a relationship with families, attending to a complex mix of issues which were complicated by language barriers. Nurses found their role in supporting refugee families required additional time and more home visits. CONCLUSIONS: To provide best practice, maternal and child health nurses need (i) ongoing professional development; (ii) time, flexibility and creativity to build relationships with refugee families and (iii) better access to services that enhance communication, such as interpreting services and translated resources. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses require ongoing professional development to help them address the multifaceted needs of families of refugee background. With limited resources available in regional areas, accessing further education can be challenging. Distance education models and organisational support could provide nurses with educational opportunities aimed at improving service provision and clinical practice.