Maternal and Newborn Health Research Roundup – June 2024

1.

Bridging the gap: leveraging data science to equip domain experts with the tools to address challenges in maternal, newborn, and child health 

In the quest to improve maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH), a recent study from Kenya underscores the power of data science as a bridge between domain expertise and actionable insights. The research advocates for a collaborative approach, integrating machine learning with domain knowledge to tackle MNCH challenges in low- and middle-income countries. This synergy has led to five key applications: enhancing data quality assessment, consolidating siloed data for better decision-making, understanding the varied impacts of interventions, tracking MNCH trends over time, and demystifying complex data models for domain experts. Such interdisciplinary efforts are crucial for advancing towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa where MNCH outcomes are most dire. (10 May 2024)

2.

Accountability for maternal and newborn health: Why measuring and monitoring broader social, political, and health system determinants matters 

In a new study, researchers have underscored the importance of a comprehensive approach to maternal and newborn health accountability. The article presents four key lessons from a series of studies aimed at validating indicators for the Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality initiative. The study advocates for enhanced efforts to document health policies, monitor policy implementation through indicator “bundles,” and regularly assess human resource metrics to strengthen the health workforce. It also calls for clear guidance for countries to evaluate health systems and broader determinants of health. These insights are crucial as they align with the Kirkland principles, emphasizing the need for actionable indicators that can drive improvements in maternal and newborn health outcomes. (2 May 2024)

3.

Effectiveness of kangaroo mother care before clinical stabilisation versus standard care among neonates at five hospitals in Uganda (OMWaNA): a parallel-group, individually randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation

A recent parallel-group, individually randomized controlled trial and economic evaluation conducted in Uganda has shed light on the impact of early kangaroo mother care (KMC) on neonatal mortality and cost-effectiveness in sub-Saharan Africa. The research, which compared the outcomes of KMC initiated before clinical stabilization with standard care for neonates weighing up to 2,000 grams, found no significant reduction in early neonatal mortality rates between the two groups. However, there was a non-significant 12% relative reduction in 28-day mortality and a significant 14% reduction in sub-Saharan African sites. Higher duration of KMC (12–24 hours daily) was also associated with significantly lower risks of day-7 and day-28 mortality, reductions in hypothermia, improved weight gain, and cost-effectiveness compared to standard care, leading to expected cost savings for both providers and society. These findings suggest that while early KMC may not reduce mortality, it remains a financially viable option, emphasizing the need for further investment in neonatal care in the region. (13 May 2024)

4.

Global maternal mortality projections by urban/rural location and education level: a simulation-based analysis 

A recent study using the Global Maternal Health (GMatH) microsimulation model reveals significant disparities in maternal health outcomes based on education and urban/rural location. The model was used to estimate a range of maternal health indicators by subgroup (urban/rural location and level of education) for 200 countries/territories from 1990 to 2050. The study estimates a global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 292 for rural women compared to 100 for urban women in 2022, with even larger differences by education level, showing MMRs of 536, 143, and 85 for women with low, middle, and high education levels, respectively. The research underscores the impact of women’s education on maternal health, projecting that ensuring all women complete secondary school could reduce the global MMR in 2030 to 97 from the current trend estimate of 167. These findings emphasize the need for targeted policy interventions to improve access to care in rural areas and invest in social determinants such as women’s education to achieve better maternal health outcomes globally. (16 May 2024)

5.

Geographical accessibility to functional emergency obstetric care facilities in urban Nigeria using closer-to-reality travel time estimates: a population-based spatial analysis 

A recent population-based spatial analysis underscores the critical role of accurate travel time estimates in improving access to emergency obstetric care in Nigeria’s largest cities. Using Google Maps to provide close-to-reality travel times, researchers assessed accessibility to both public and private comprehensive obstetric care facilities across 15 major cities. The findings reveal significant disparities, particularly for women in informal settlements and peripheral suburbs, with many unable to reach more than one hospital within an hour, especially during peak travel times. This granular approach highlights the importance of precise, context-specific data in identifying and addressing geographical inequities in healthcare access, paving the way for more effective service planning and policy interventions to achieve universal health coverage. (May 2024)