Predictors for timely initiation of breastfeeding after birth in the hospitals of Nepal- a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Timely initiation of breastfeeding can reduce neonatal morbidities and mortality. We aimed to study predictors for timely initiation of breastfeeding (within 1 h of birth) among neonates born in hospitals of Nepal. METHOD: A prospective observational study was conducted in four public hospitals between July and October 2018. All women admitted in the hospital for childbirth and who consented were included in the study. An independent researchers observed whether the neonates were placed in skin-to-skin contact, delay cord clamping and timely initiation of breastfeeding. Sociodemographic variables, obstetric and neonate information were extracted from the maternity register. We analysed predictors for timely initiation of breastfeeding with Pearson chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the 6488 woman-infant pair observed, breastfeeding was timely initiated in 49.5% neonates. The timely initiation of breastfeeding was found to be higher among neonates who were placed skin-to-skin contact (34.9% vs 19.9%, p - value < 0.001). The timely initiation of breastfeeding was higher if the cord clamping was delayed than early cord clamped neonates (44.5% vs 35.3%, p - value < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, a mother with no obstetric complication during admission had 57% higher odds of timely initiation of breastfeeding (aOR 1.57; 95% CI 1.33, 1.86). Multiparity was associated with less timely initiation of breastfeeding (aOR 1.56; 95% CI 1.35, 1.82). Similarly, there was more common practice of timely initiation of breastfeeding among low birthweight neonates (aOR 1.46; 95% CI 1.21, 1.76). Neonates who were placed skin-to-skin contact with mother had more than two-fold higher odds of timely breastfeeding (aOR 2.52; 95% CI 2.19, 2.89). Likewise, neonates who had their cord intact for 3 min had 37% higher odds of timely breastfeeding (aOR 1.37; 95% CI 1.21, 1.55). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of timely initiation of breastfeeding practice is low in the health facilities of Nepal. Multiparity, no obstetric complication at admission, neonates placed in skin-to-skin contact and delay cord clamping were strong predictors for timely initiation of breastfeeding. Quality improvement intervention can improve skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping and timely initiation of breastfeeding.

The burden of adolescent motherhood and health consequences in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Annually, 18 million babies are born to mothers 18 years or less. Two thirds of these births take place in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Due to social and biological factors, adolescent mothers have a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes. We conducted this study to assess the incidence, risk factors, maternal and neonatal health consequences among adolescent mothers. METHODS: We conducted an observational study in 12 hospitals of Nepal for a period of 12 months. Patient medical record and semi-structured interviews were used to collect demographic information of mothers, intrapartum care and outcomes. The risks of adverse birth outcomes among adolescent compared to adult mothers were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: During the study period, among the total 60,742 deliveries, 7.8% were adolescent mothers. Two third of the adolescent mothers were from disadvantaged ethnic groups, compared to half of adult mothers (66.1% vs 47.8%, p-value< 0.001). One third of the adolescent mothers did not have formal education, while one in nine adult mothers did not have formal education (32.6% vs 14.2%, p-value< 0.001). Compared to adult mothers, adolescent mothers had higher odds of experiencing prolonged labour (aOR-1.56, 95% CI, 1.17-2.10, p-0.003), preterm birth (aOR-1.40, 95% CI, 1.26-1.55, p < 0.001) and of having a baby being small for gestational age (aOR-1.38, 95% CI 1.25-1.52, p < 0.001). The odds of major malformation increased by more than two-fold in adolescent mothers compared to adult mothers (aOR-2.66, 95% CI 1.12-6.33, p-0.027). CONCLUSION: Women from disadvantaged ethnic group have higher risk of being pregnant during adolescent age. Adolescent mothers were more likely to have prolonged labour, a preterm birth, small for gestational age baby and major congenital malformation. Special attention to this high-risk group during pregnancy, labour and delivery is critical.

Prevalence of Postpartum Family Planning Service Coverage in Selected Referral Facilities of Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists jointly with the Nepalese government and with the support from the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology has implemented an initiative to institutionalize postpartum family planning services in selected major referral facilities of Nepal to address the gap of low uptake of postpartum family planning in Nepal. The aim of the study is to find the prevalence of the service coverage of postpartum contraception in the selected facilities. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in seven major referral facilities across Nepal. Data were collected from the hospital records of all women who delivered in these facilities between October 2018 and March 2019. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Nepal Health Research Council. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 23. RESULTS: Among the 29,072 deliveries from all the facilities, postpartum family planning counseling coverage was 27,301 (93.9%). The prevalence of uptake of Postpartum Intrauterine Device is 1581 (5.4%) and female sterilization is 1830 (6.3%). In total 11387 mothers (52.2%) had the intention to choose a postpartum family planning method. However, 36% of mothers neither used nor had the intention to choose a postpartum family planning method. CONCLUSIONS: The coverage of Postpartum Intrauterine Device counseling service coverage in Nepal is higher in 2018 as compared to 2016-2017 and in other countries implementing Postpartum Intrauterine Device initiatives. However, the prevalence of service coverage of immediate Postpartum Family Planning methods, mainly Postpartum Intrauterine Device in 2018 is lower in Nepal as compared to 2016-2017, and other countries implementing Postpartum Intrauterine Device initiative. More efforts are needed to encourage mothers delivering in the facilities to use the postpartum family planning method.

Improving post-partum family planning services provided by female community health volunteers in Nepal: a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Family planning services in the post-partum period, termed post-partum family planning (PPFP) is critical to cover the unmet need for contraception, especially when institutional delivery rates have increased. However, the intention to choose PPFP methods such as post-partum intrauterine devices (PPIUD) remains low in countries such as Nepal. Community health workers such as Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) could play an important role in improving the service coverage of PPFP in Nepal. However, their knowledge of PPFP and community-based services related to PPFP remain unclear. This study aims to assess the effect on community-based PPFP services by improving FCHV's knowledge through orientation on PPFP. METHODS: We conducted this mixed-methods study in Morang District in Nepal. The intervention involved orientation of FCHVs on PPFP methods. We collected quantitative data from three sources; via a survey of FCHVs that assessed their knowledge before and after the intervention, from their monthly reporting forms on counseling coverage of women at different stages of pregnancy from the communities, and by interviewing mothers in their immediate post-partum period in two selected hospitals. We also conducted six focus group discussions with the FCHVs to understand their perception of PPFP and the intervention. We performed descriptive and multivariable analyses for quantitative results and thematic analysis for qualitative data. RESULTS: In total, 230 FCHVs participated in the intervention and their knowledge of PPFP improved significantly after it. The intervention was the only factor significantly associated with their improved knowledge (adjusted odds ratio = 24, P < 0.001) in the multivariable analysis. FCHVs were able to counsel 83.3% of 1872 mothers at different stages of pregnancy in the communities. In the two hospitals, the proportion of mothers in their immediate post-partum period whom reported they were counseled by FCHVs during their pregnancy increased. It improved from 7% before the intervention to 18.1% (P < 0.001) after the intervention. The qualitative findings suggested that the intervention improved their knowledge in providing PPFP counseling. CONCLUSION: The orientation improved the FCHV's knowledge of PPFP and their community-based counseling. Follow-up studies are needed to assess the longer term effect of the FCHV's role in improving community-based PPFP services.

Factors affecting the behavior outcomes on post-partum intrauterine contraceptive device uptake and continuation in Nepal: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The use of post-partum family planning (PPFP) methods such as post-partum intrauterine device (PPIUD) in general remains low despite its benefits for the women. The reasons or factors affecting the uptake and continuation of such PPFP methods in developing countries such as Nepal remains unclear. This qualitative research aims to explore the factors affecting PPIUD uptake and continuation related behaviors among post-partum mothers within 6 weeks of childbirth in Nepal. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted through 43 in-depth interviews among post-partum mothers who delivered in 3 selected hospitals in Nepal. Data were analyzed through content analysis using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as the theoretical framework. RESULTS: The themes and categories were structured around the three major components of the TPB on attitude, subjective norms, and behavioral control. Majority of the women in this study, irrespective of their behavioral outcome expressed a positive attitude towards PPIUD use. However, the women who expressed an unfavorable attitude towards PPIUD influenced their behavior to not choose or discontinue PPIUD. Subjective norms such as the family, peer, and societal influences against PPIUD negatively affected the women's intention and behavior related to PPIUD. Whereas, the positive influence of the health providers positively affected their behavior. Regarding the behavior control, women who had their own control over decisions tended to use PPIUD. However, external factors such as their husband's preference or medical conditions also played a prominent role in preventing many to use PPIUD despite their positive intentions. CONCLUSION: As suggested in TPB, this study shows that multiple factors that are interlinked affected the behaviors related to uptake and continuation of PPIUD. The attitude helped in s`haping intention but did not always lead to the behavioral outcome of PPIUD uptake and continuation. Subjective norms had a strong influence on both intention and behavior. Behavior control belief also had an important role in the outcome with respect to PPIUD uptake and continuation. Thus, a more layered, multidimensional and interlinked intervention is necessary to bring positive behavior changes related to PPIUD.

Feasibility assessment of an ergonomic baby wrap for kangaroo mother care: A mixed methods study from Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Kangaroo mother care, an evidence based practice and a national policy for management of low birth weight newborns in Nepal, is not widely practiced. This implementation research study aimed to explore the consumer preference and acceptability of the traditional and a new ergonomic wrap on the continuation of kangaroo mother care in the facility and community following discharge. METHODS: A mixed method feasibility study was done from May to October 2015. Ninety-six families of stable low birth weight newborns weighing 1800 to 2499 grams were counseled and taught to practice kangaroo mother care using both wraps. They were randomized into two groups of 48 with one group trying out the traditional wrap for the first six hours and the new wrap for the next six, and vice versa. Mothers were allowed to choose between the wraps for continuation of kangaroo mother care at the facility and post discharge. They were followed up telephonically weekly over 28 days postpartum to ascertain practice of kangaroo mother care. In-depth interviews with mothers (n = 12) and focus group discussions with health workers (n = 16) further evaluated the intervention. Descriptive statistics are presented for the quantitative part of the study. RESULTS: Mothers in the two groups chose the new wrap with no significant difference (81.3% vs 89.6%, p = 0.24). Of the 96 randomized mothers, 85% chose the new wrap. During the hospital stay, six mothers dropped out and remaining 90 mothers who were discharged with the intention of continuing Kangaroo Mother Care, 78 and 12 mothers did so with the new and traditional wrap respectively. New wrap users (429.1 hours, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 351.7-470.3) performed skin-to-skin contact for an extra 77.4 hours overall than traditional wrap (351.7 hours, 95%CI: 259.3-444) users from first day to 28 day postpartum. Health workers and mothers reported positive experience with the new wrap as it was easy to wear without assistance, secure and flexible to move around in kangaroo mother care position. CONCLUSIONS: Involvement of mothers and families with provision of ergonomic wraps showed improvement in kangaroo mother care practice during hospital stay and at home.

Giant Ovarian Mucinous Cystadenoma Complicating Term Pregnancy.

Huge ovarian cyst are found in less than 1% of all ovarian cyst in pregnancy and are associated with poor feto-maternal outcome. A 28 years old G2P1 with history of normal vaginal delivery 3 years back was referred from local health post with complains of intermittent pain abdomen at 29 weeks. Her scan showed huge ovarian cyst of 18.9×17.6 cm with multiple thick septation. Woman was conservatively managed till term and elective surgery was planned however she presented in labour with breech presentation at 39 weeks and 4days. Emergency lower segment caesarian section along with left sided salpingo-oophorectomy was done along with delivery of 2.5 kg healthy female baby. Histopathology was suggestive of mucinous cystadenoma of ovary. Although antepartum removal of ovarian cyst has been recommended to ensure good pregnancy outcome, expectant management and timed intervention can be adopted for pregnancy with huge ovarian cysts. Keywords: mucinous cystadenoma; ovarian cyst; pregnancy.

Interrupted abdominal closure prevents burst: randomized controlled trial comparing interrupted-x and conventional continuous closures in surgical and gynecological patients.

Reduction in the risk of abdominal dehiscence with application of interrupted method of laparotomy closure and comparison with risk of burst with continuous method of closure. Three hundred forty eight patients undergoing laparotomy (114-elective gynecology, 114-emergency gynecology, 120-emergency surgery) were randomized into three arms to undergo closure with continuous, interrupted-X, and Modified Smead-Jones suturing techniques. Burst abdomen occurring up to 4 weeks of operation. Twenty-nine (8.33 %) of 348 patients developed burst in the post-operative period. 19 (15.70 %) of 121 patients in continuous arm developed burst. Five of 110 (4.55 %) patients in Interrupted-X arm and 5 of 117 (4.27 %) patients in Modified Smead-Jones arm developed burst. Interrupted suturing was associated with significant reduction in risk of burst when compared with continuous closure. Important predictors of burst were Intraperitoneal sepsis, cough, uremia, and surgical site infection.

Kinetics of proton transfer between ortho substituted benzoic acids and the carbinol base of crystal violet in toluene. Ortho effect on the reactivity of benzoic acids in apolar aprotic solvents.

Apolar aprotic solvents are particularly advantageous for investigating the intrinsic ortho effect free from complications of specific solvent effects. A kinetic study for toluene-phase proton transfers between ortho F, Cl, Br, I, OMe, OEt, OPh, OAc, Me, NO(2), COMe, COPh, OH, NH(2), and H benzoic acids and crystal violet carbinol base has shown the forward rate constant (log k(+1)) is the most appropriate reactivity parameter in toluene. log k(+1) (toluene) as compared to other reported reactivity parameters in benzene, toluene, or chlorobenzene has been found more sensitive to the ortho substituent effect. The regression results of the correlation of log k(+1) (toluene) of the acids (except OH and NH(2) substituted ones) according to seven ortho effect models are all very significant, and the best result is given by Fujita-Nishioka's model. The overall analysis reveals that a substituent's ortho effect pattern is a 58:24:18 ratio of its ordinary electrical, proximity electrical, and steric effects and that the proximity electrical effect is the major component to account for the peculiarity of the substituent's ortho effect. The results further favor the transmission of this effect mainly through the molecular cavity. The effect may, however, be outweighed by the steric component for bulky enough substituents, e.g., Me. The enhanced strength exhibited by salicylic acid in toluene has been quantitatively described using Pytela-Liska's σ(HB)(i) parameter. The abnormally high log k(+1) observed for anthranilic acid in toluene has been ascribed to a very extensive homoconjugation in its acid-acid anion complex induced by the acid's three hydrogen bond donors.

Uterine rupture: preventable obstetric tragedies?

BACKGROUND: Although ruptured uterus is nowadays a rare obstetric emergency in Western countries, it is still alarmingly common in developing countries, where it remains a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. AIMS: To review the recent experience of uterine rupture at a tertiary obstetric unit in eastern Nepal and to recommend improvements in the current management of labour, especially obstructed labour, in a poorly resourced country. METHODS: All cases of uterine rupture managed from March 2002 to March 2006 were identified retrospectively, and details were retrieved from medical records. RESULTS: Fifty-two women suffered from uterine rupture during the four-year period, approximately one woman per month. Most were unbooked multigravidae, with no antenatal care. They nearly all began labour at home in the absence of a skilled birth attendant. After prolonged labour, usually prolonged second stage, various interventions had often been attempted at home or in other health facilities before admission. Most were shocked and required urgent laparotomy and blood transfusion. Many required intensive care and ventilatory support. Forty-six per cent required hysterectomy and 5.8% subsequently suffered from a urogenital fistula. The maternal mortality rate in this series was 13.5%, and the stillbirth rate was 94.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Unsafe obstetric practices were identified, especially the injudicious use of oxytocic drugs and fundal pressure in prolonged second stage. Several achievable improvements in obstetric care are recommended, particularly aimed at reducing the delay in women reaching emergency obstetric care when labour is prolonged.