Dataset Information

Male partners' participation in birth preparedness and complication readiness in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Maternal and neonatal health outcomes remain a challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) despite priority given to involving male partners in birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR). Men in LMICs often determine women's access to and affordability of health services. This systematic review and meta-analysis determined the pooled magnitude of male partner's participation in birth preparedness and complication readiness in LMICs.

Methods

Literature published in English language from 2004 to 2019 was retrieved from Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and EMBASE databases. The Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool for prevalence and incidence studies were used. A pooled statistical meta-analysis was conducted using STATA Version 14.0. The heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using the I² statistics and Egger's test. Duval and Tweedie's nonparametric trim and fill analysis using the random-effect analysis was carried out to validate publication bias and heterogeneity. The random effect model was used to estimate the summary prevalence and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of birth preparedness and complication readiness. The review protocol has been registered in PROSPERO number CRD42019140752. The PRISMA flow chart was used to show the number of articles identified, included, and excluded with justifications described.

Results

Thirty-seven studies with a total of 17, 148 participants were included. The pooled results showed that 42.4% of male partners participated in BPCR. Among the study participants, 54% reported having saved money for delivery, whereas 44% identified skilled birth attendants. 45.8% of male partners arranged transportation and 57.2% of study participants identified health facility as a place of birth. Only 16.1% of the male partners identified potential blood donors.

Conclusions

A low proportion of male partners were identified to have participated in BPCR in LMICs. This calls countries in low- and middle-income setting for action to review their health care policies, to remove the barriers and promote facilitators to male partner's involvement in BPCR. Health systems in LMICs must design and innovate scalable strategies to improve male partner's arrangements for a potential blood donor and transportation for complications that could arise during delivery or postpartum haemorrhage.

SUBMITTER: Boltena MT

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8364032 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundMaternal mortality remains a pressing concern across Sub-Sahara Africa. The 'Three Delays Model' suggests that maternal deaths are a consequence of delays in: seeking care, reaching medical care and receiving care. Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) refers to a plan organised during pregnancy in preparation for a normal birth and in case of complications. Male partners in many Sub-Saharan African communities could play a pivotal role in a woman's ability to prepare for birth and respond to obstetric complications. This review aimed identify: the extent and quality of research performed on the topic of male partner involvement in BPCR in Sub-Saharan Africa; the degree to which populations and geographic areas are represented; how male partner involvement has been conceptualized; how male partners response to obstetric complications has been conceptualised; how the variation in male partners involvement has been measured and if any interventions have been performed.MethodsIn this scoping review, articles were identified through a systematic search of databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Maternity and Infant Care and a manual scan of relevant papers, journals and websites. All authors contributed to the screening process and a quality assessment using the Kmet checklist. The PRISMA checking list for Scoping Reviews was used to guide the search, data charting and reporting of the review The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42019126263).ResultsThirty-five articles met inclusion criteria, reporting: 13 qualitative, 13 cross-sectional, 5 mixed method and 4 intervention studies. Data were contributed by approximately 14,550 participants (numbers were not always reported for focus groups) including: women who were pregnant or who had experienced pregnancy or childbirth within the previous 3 years, their male partners and key informants such as health workers and community leaders.ConclusionsThe diversity of study designs, aims and source countries in this body of literature reflects an emerging stage of research; as a result, the review yielded strong evidence in some areas and gaps in others. Male partner's involvement in BPCR and responding to obstetric emergencies can be conceptualised as being centrally involved in responding to complications and having some role in preparing for birth through their position in the chain of decisions and provision of logistic support. However, their knowledge of pregnancy complications and level of preparation for birth is low, suggesting they are making decisions without being fully informed. There is limited evidence on interventions to improve their knowledge. Future research efforts should be focused on producing standardised, culturally appropriate, higher level evidence.

Project description:BackgroundOne of the effective strategies for reducing the number of maternal deaths is delivery by a skilled birth attendant. Low utilization of skilled birth attendants has been attributed to delay in seeking care, delay in reaching a health facility and delay in receiving adequate care. Health workers could play a role in helping women prepare for birth and anticipate complications, in order to reduce delays. There is little evidence to support these birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) programs; however, BP/CR programs are frequently implemented. The objective of this review is to assess the effect of BP/CR programs on increasing skilled birth attendance in low-resource settings.MethodsDue to the complexity of BP/CR programs and the need to understand why certain programs are more effective than others, we will combine both quantitative and qualitative studies in this systematic review. Search terms were selected with the assistance of a health information specialist. Three reviewers will independently select and assess studies for quality. Data will be extracted by one reviewer and checked for accuracy and completeness by a second reviewer. Discussion between the reviewers will resolve disagreements. If disagreements remain, a third party will be consulted. Data analysis will be carried out in accordance with the BP/CR matrix, developed by the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO). Study data will be grouped and analyzed by quality and study design and regrouped according to type of intervention strategy.DiscussionThis review will provide: 1) an insight into existing BP/CR programs, 2) recommendations on effective elements of the different approaches, 3) proposals for concrete action plans for health professionals in the field of reproductive health in resource-poor settings and 4) an overview of existing knowledge gaps requiring further research.Trial registrationPROSPERO registration no.: CRD42012003124.

Project description:BACKGROUND: Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) interventions are widely promoted by governments and international agencies to reduce maternal and neonatal health risks in developing countries; however, their overall impact is uncertain, and little is known about how best to implement BPCR at a community level. Our primary aim was to evaluate the impact of BPCR interventions involving women, families and communities during the prenatal, postnatal and neonatal periods to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in developing countries. We also examined intervention impact on a variety of intermediate outcomes important for maternal and child survival. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials of BPCR interventions in populations of pregnant women living in developing countries. To identify relevant studies, we searched the scientific literature in the Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library, Reproductive health library, CINAHL and Popline databases. We also undertook manual searches of article bibliographies and web sites. Study inclusion was based on pre-specified criteria. We synthesised data by computing pooled relative risks (RR) using the Cochrane RevMan software. RESULTS: Fourteen randomized studies (292 256 live births) met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses showed that exposure to BPCR interventions was associated with a statistically significant reduction of 18% in neonatal mortality risk (twelve studies, RR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.74, 0.91) and a non-significant reduction of 28% in maternal mortality risk (seven studies, RR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.46, 1.13). Results were highly heterogeneous (I2 = 76%, p < 0.001 and I2 = 72%, p = 0.002 for neonatal and maternal results, respectively). Subgroup analyses of studies in which at least 30% of targeted women participated in interventions showed a 24% significant reduction of neonatal mortality risk (nine studies, RR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.85) and a 53% significant reduction in maternal mortality risk (four studies, RR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.87).Pooled results revealed that BPCR interventions were also associated with increased likelihood of use of care in the event of newborn illness, clean cutting of the umbilical cord and initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour of life. CONCLUSIONS: With adequate population coverage, BPCR interventions are effective in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in low-resources settings.

Project description:Men's involvement in reproductive health is recommended. Their involvement in antenatal care service is identified as important in maternal health. Awareness of obstetric danger signs facilitates men in making a joint decision with their partners regarding accessing antenatal and delivery care. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge of obstetric complications among men in a rural community in Tanzania, and to determine their involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness.A cross-sectional survey was conducted where 756 recent fathers were invited through a two-stage cluster sampling procedure. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of danger signs and steps taken on birth preparedness and complication readiness. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with being prepared, with statistically significant level at p<0.05.Among the invited men, 95.9% agreed to participate in the community survey. Fifty-three percent could mention at least one danger sign during pregnancy, 43.9% during delivery and 34.6% during the postpartum period. Regarding birth preparedness and complication readiness, 54.3% had bought birth kit, 47.2% saved money, 10.2% identified transport, 0.8% identified skilled attendant. In general, only 12% of men were prepared. Birth preparedness was associated with knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.8-2.6). It was less likely for men living in the rural area to be prepared (AOR=0.6, 95% CI; 0.5-0.8).There was a low level of knowledge of obstetric danger signs among men in a rural district in Tanzania. A very small proportion of men had prepared for childbirth and complication readiness. There was no effect of knowledge of danger signs during childbirth and postpartum period on being prepared. Innovative strategies that increase awareness of danger signs as well as birth preparedness and complication readiness among men are required. Strengthening counseling during antenatal care services that involve men together with partners is recommended.

Project description:BACKGROUND:With an aim to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes, 'birth preparedness and complication readiness' (BP/CR) promotes timely access to skilled maternal and neonatal services. Objective of this study was to assess implementation of BP/CR among pregnant women admitted with obstetric emergencies in rural Rwanda. METHODS:A cross-sectional study among pregnant women who were referred to Ruhengeri hospital between July and November 2015. The 'Safe Motherhood questionnaire' as developed by Jhpiego's Maternal and Neonatal Health Program was used to collect data. Women were asked to mention key danger signs and respond as to whether they had identified: (A) skilled birth attendant, (B) location to give birth, (C) mode of transport, (D) money to cover health care expenditure. Women who answered 'yes' to three or four items were labeled 'well prepared'. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to compare the 'well prepared' and 'less prepared'. RESULTS:With regard to complication readiness, out of 350 women, 296 (84.6%), 271 (77.4%) and 288 (82.3%) could mention at least one key danger sign during pregnancy, labor and postpartum respectively, but only 23 (6.6%) could mention three or more key danger signs during all three periods. With regard to birth preparedness, 46 (13.1%) women had identified a skilled birth attendant, 68 (19.4%) birth location, 76 (21.7%) mode of transport, and 306 (87.4%) had saved money for health care costs. Seventy-eight women (22.3%) were 'well prepared', associated factors being first time pregnancy (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 3.2; 95% CI; 1.2-5.8), knowledge of at least two danger signs (aOR = 2.8; 95% CI; 1.7-3.9) and having been assisted by a community health worker at the antenatal clinic (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI; 1.3-3.7). CONCLUSION:Knowledge of obstetric danger signs was suboptimal and birth preparedness low. We recommend review of practices regarding health promotion in antenatal care, taking care not to exclude multiparous women from messages related to birth preparedness, and do promote use of community health workers to enhance effectiveness of BP/CR.

Project description:BackgroundWorldwide, around 289,000 maternal mortalities occur each year from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. In Ethiopia, the maternal mortality rate is among the highest in the world. This is mainly contributed by the three delays. Husbands' involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness can significantly reduce these delays. Therefore, it is important to know what, currently, is the husbands view regarding knowledge of key danger sign and involvement about birth preparedness and complication readiness. The investigation of husband's involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness was sounded throughout much of the developed world. However, despite the putative assumption that the problem exists in Ethiopia at large and Axum in particular, there is no article related to the problem as yet. For this reason, the study intended to assess husband's involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness.MethodA community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Axum Town from September-June 2017. Data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 406 husbands using the lottery method and interviewer administered structured questionnaires. Data were entered into Epi info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. The statistical analysis was made at the 95% confidence level. The data were summarized and described using descriptive statistics.ResultFour hundred six husbands were participating in the study with a response rate of 98%. Out of total respondents 258(64.7%) were in the age range of '18 - 39' years and the mean age was 36.55 years. Three hundred forty-three (86%) of the respondents has attended primary education or above and 187(46.9%) fulfilled five or more variables of parameter for husband's involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness and leveled as having good involvement. One hundred sixteen (29.1%) respondents had gotten health service problems that prohibited from going to the health facility.ConclusionBased on the findings, the overall involvements by husbands in birth preparedness and complication readiness were low. Most of the respondents have low knowledge. Knowledge of husbands, health service issues, facility and quality of care are reported factors that affect husband's involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness.