Christiana R Titaley

Why do some women still prefer traditional birth attendants and home delivery?: a qualitative study on delivery care services in West Java Province, Indonesia

BackgroundTrained birth attendants at delivery are important for preventing both maternal and newborn deaths. West Java is one of the provinces on Java Island, Indonesia, where many women still deliver at home and without the assistance of trained birth attendants. This study aims to explore the perspectives of community members and health workers about the use of delivery care services in six villages of West Java Province.MethodsA qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews was conducted in six villages of three districts in West Java Province from March to July 2009. Twenty FGDs and 165 in-depth interviews were conducted involving a total of 295 participants representing mothers, fathers, health care providers, traditional birth attendants and community leaders. The FGD and in-depth interview guidelines included reasons for using a trained or a traditional birth attendant and reasons for having a home or an institutional delivery.ResultsThe use of traditional birth attendants and home delivery were preferable for some community members despite the availability of the village midwife in the village. Physical distance and financial limitations were two major constraints that prevented community members from accessing and using trained attendants and institutional deliveries. A number of respondents reported that trained delivery attendants or an institutional delivery were only aimed at women who experienced obstetric complications. The limited availability of health care providers was reported by residents in remote areas. In these settings the village midwife, who was sometimes the only health care provider, frequently travelled out of the village. The community perceived the role of both village midwives and traditional birth attendants as essential for providing maternal and health care services.ConclusionsA comprehensive strategy to increase the availability, accessibility, and affordability of delivery care services should be considered in these West Java areas. Health education strategies are required to increase community awareness about the importance of health services along with the existing financing mechanisms for the poor communities. Public health strategies involving traditional birth attendants will be beneficial particularly in remote areas where their services are highly utilized.

Determinants of neonatal mortality in Indonesia

BackgroundNeonatal mortality accounts for almost 40 per cent of under-five child mortality, globally. An understanding of the factors related to neonatal mortality is important to guide the development of focused and evidence-based health interventions to prevent neonatal deaths. This study aimed to identify the determinants of neonatal mortality in Indonesia, for a nationally representative sample of births from 1997 to 2002.MethodsThe data source for the analysis was the 2002–2003 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey from which survival information of 15,952 singleton live-born infants born between 1997 and 2002 was examined. Multilevel logistic regression using a hierarchical approach was performed to analyze the factors associated with neonatal deaths, using community, socio-economic status and proximate determinants.ResultsAt the community level, the odds of neonatal death was significantly higher for infants from East Java (OR = 5.01, p = 0.00), and for North, Central and Southeast Sulawesi and Gorontalo combined (OR = 3.17, p = 0.03) compared to the lowest neonatal mortality regions of Bali, South Sulawesi and Jambi provinces. A progressive reduction in the odds was found as the percentage of deliveries assisted by trained delivery attendants in the cluster increased. The odds of neonatal death were higher for infants born to both mother and father who were employed (OR = 1.84, p = 0.00) and for infants born to father who were unemployed (OR = 2.99, p = 0.02). The odds were also higher for higher rank infants with a short birth interval (OR = 2.82, p = 0.00), male infants (OR = 1.49, p = 0.01), smaller than average-sized infants (OR = 2.80, p = 0.00), and infants whose mother had a history of delivery complications (OR = 1.81, p = 0.00). Infants receiving any postnatal care were significantly protected from neonatal death (OR = 0.63, p = 0.03).ConclusionPublic health interventions directed at reducing neonatal death should address community, household and individual level factors which significantly influence neonatal mortality in Indonesia. Low birth weight and short birth interval infants as well as perinatal health services factors, such as the availability of skilled birth attendance and postnatal care utilization should be taken into account when planning the interventions to reduce neonatal mortality in Indonesia.

Factors associated with non-utilisation of postnatal care services in Indonesia

Background: Postnatal care helps prevent neonatal deaths. This study aims to examine factors associated with non-utilisation of postnatal care in Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted using data from the 2002–3 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS), which used multistage cluster random sampling. Contingency table and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with non-utilisation of postnatal care services. The population attribution risk percentage (PAR%) for non-utilisation of postnatal care services was also calculated. Results: Data were available for 15 553 singleton live-born infants. The prevalence of non-attendance at postnatal care services was consistently higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Maternal factors associated with lack of postnatal care included low household wealth index, low education levels, lack of knowledge of pregnancy-related complications or where distance from health services was a problem. Infants of high birth rank and those reported to be smaller than average were less likely to receive postnatal care. Other indicators of access to healthcare services which were associated with non-utilisation of postnatal care services included few antenatal care checks, use of untrained birth attendants and births outside healthcare facilities. Conclusion: Public health interventions to increase the utilisation of postnatal care services should target women who are poor, less educated, from rural areas and who use untrained birth attendants. Strategies to improve the availability and accessibility of antenatal care services and skilled birth attendance including focused financial support and health promotion programmes, particularly in the rural areas, should increase utilisation of postnatal care services in Indonesia.

Iron and folic acid supplements and reduced early neonatal deaths in Indonesia

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between antenatal care, iron and folic acid supplementation and tetanus toxoid vaccination during pregnancy in Indonesia and the risk of early neonatal death (death in days 0-6 of life). METHODS We analysed pooled data on neonatal survival in singleton infants born in the 5 years before each of the Indonesian demographic and health surveys of 1994, 1997 and 2002-2003. Only the most recently born infant of each mother was included. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify factors linked to early neonatal death. FINDINGS Of the 40 576 infants included, 442 experienced early neonatal death. After adjustment, the risk of early neonatal death was significantly reduced for infants of mothers who received either any form of antenatal care (hazard ratio, HR: 0.48; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.31-0.73), any quantity of iron and folic acid (HR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.36-0.77) or >or= 2 tetanus toxoid injections (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.48-0.92). When we analysed different combinations of these measures, iron and folic acid supplementation provided the main protective effect: early neonatal deaths were still significantly reduced among infants whose mothers received iron and folic acid supplements but no other form of antenatal care (HR: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.01-0.67), or the supplements but < 2 tetanus toxoid injections (HR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.29-0.73). Subsequent analysis showed that 20% of early neonatal deaths in Indonesia could be attributed to a lack of iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy. CONCLUSION Iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy in Indonesia significantly reduced the risk of early neonatal death and could also do so in other low- and middle-income countries.

Type of delivery attendant, place of delivery and risk of early neonatal mortality: analyses of the 1994–2007 Indonesia Demographic and Health Surveys

Access to skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care are thought to prevent early neonatal deaths. This study aims to examine the association between the type of delivery attendant and place of delivery and early neonatal mortality in Indonesia. Four Indonesia Demographic and Health Surveys from 1994, 1997, 2002/2003 and 2007 were used, including survival information from 52 917 singleton live-born infants of the most recent birth of a mother within a 5-year period before each survey. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to obtain the hazard ratio for univariable and multivariable analyses. Our study found no significant reduction in the risk of early neonatal death for home deliveries assisted by the trained attendants compared with those assisted by untrained attendants. In rural areas, the risk of early neonatal death was higher for home deliveries assisted by trained attendants than home deliveries assisted by untrained attendants. In urban areas, a protective role of institutional deliveries was found if mothers had delivery complications. However, an increased risk was associated with deliveries in public hospitals in rural areas. Infants of mothers attending antenatal care services were significantly protected against early neonatal deaths, irrespective of the urban or rural setting. An increased risk of early neonatal death was also associated with male infants, infants whose size at birth was smaller than average and/or infants reported to be born early. A reduced risk was observed amongst mothers with high levels of education. Continuous improvement in the skills and the quality of the village midwives might benefit maternal and newborn survival. Efforts to strengthen the referral system and to improve the quality of delivery and newborn care services in health facilities are important, particularly in public hospitals and in rural areas.

Combined iron/folic acid supplements and malaria prophylaxis reduce neonatal mortality in 19 sub-Saharan African countries

BACKGROUND In nonmalaria regions, iron/folic acid supplementation during pregnancy protects newborns against preterm delivery and early neonatal death. Other studies from malaria-endemic areas have reported an adverse effect of iron supplements on malaria prevalence in pregnant women. OBJECTIVE We examined the association between iron/folic acid supplements and prenatal antimalaria prophylaxis on neonatal mortality in malaria-endemic countries of sub-Saharan Africa. DESIGN This analysis used the most recent data from Demographic and Health Surveys of 19 malaria-endemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Survival information of 101,636 singleton live-born infants from the most recent delivery of ever-married women < or =5 y before each survey was examined. The effect of each potential predictor on neonatal deaths was analyzed by using Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS Infants whose mothers received any iron/folic acid supplements and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine intermittent preventive treatment (SP-IPT(p)) for malaria during pregnancy were significantly protected from neonatal death [hazard ratio (HR): 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.99]. The protective effect was not significant in mothers who received only iron/folic acid supplements (HR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.73, 1.12) or only SP-IPT(p) (HR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.74, 1.57). Among the sociodemographic and birth characteristics, factors that significantly increased the risk of neonatal death included first-born infants, a birth interval of <2 y, maternal age at delivery of > or =30 y, smaller than average-sized infants, and male infants. CONCLUSION The use of antenatal iron/folic acid supplements combined with appropriate intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy is an important intervention to reduce neonatal mortality in malaria-endemic regions.

Iron and folic acid supplements in pregnancy improve child survival in Indonesia

BACKGROUND Several trials have shown that iron-folic acid supplements during pregnancy protect newborns against preterm delivery and early neonatal death, but the impact beyond the neonatal period is unclear. OBJECTIVE We determined whether live-born children <5 y of age born to mothers who used antenatal iron-folic acid supplements had reduced risk of death. DESIGN Pooled 1994, 1997, 2002-2003, and 2007 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey data were used to examine the relation between the use of iron-folic acid supplements and child death in 3 cumulative (0-30 d, 0-11 mo, and 0-4 y) and 4 mutually exclusive (first day of life and 1-30 d, 1-11 mo, and 1-4 y of age) time periods. Risk of death was estimated by using Cox regression to control for 19 potential confounders. RESULTS Survival information for 52,917 singleton live-born infants and 1525 deaths of children <5 y of age was examined. After adjustment for potential confounders, risk of death of children <5 y of age was reduced significantly by 34% if the mother consumed any iron-folic acid supplements [adjusted HR (aHR): 0.66; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.81; P < 0.001]. This protective effect was greatest for deaths on the first day of life (aHR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.77; P = 0.005) but was also shown for neonatal deaths on days 1-30 of life (aHR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.49, 0.97; P = 0.035) and postneonatal deaths (aHR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.99; P = 0.044). There was a strong dose response of greater protection from death of children <5 y of age with increasing numbers of iron-folic acid supplements consumed. CONCLUSION In developing countries increased use of antenatal iron-folic acid supplements will reduce deaths of children <5 y of age, especially in the first year of life.

Improving Coverage and Compliance in Mass Drug Administration for the Elimination of LF in Two ‘Endgame’ Districts in Indonesia Using Micronarrative Surveys

Background As the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) approaches its 2020 goal, an increasing number of districts will enter the endgame phase where drug coverage rates from mass drug administration (MDA) are used to assess whether MDA can be stopped. As reported, the gap between reported and actual drug coverage in some contexts has overestimated the true rates, thus causing premature administration of transmission assessment surveys (TAS) that detect ongoing LF transmission. In these cases, districts must continue with additional rounds of MDA. Two districts in Indonesia (Agam District, Depok City) fit this criteria—one had not met the pre-TAS criteria and the other, had not passed the TAS criteria. In both cases, the district health teams needed insight into their drug delivery programs in order to improve drug coverage in the subsequent MDA rounds. Methodology/Principal Findings To inform the subsequent MDA round, a micronarrative survey tool was developed to capture community members’ experience with MDA and the social realm where drug delivery and compliance occur. A baseline survey was implemented after the 2013 MDA in endemic communities in both districts using the EPI sampling criteria (n = 806). Compliance in the last MDA was associated with perceived importance of the LF drugs for health (p<0.001); perceived safety of the LF drugs (p<0.001) and knowing someone in the household has complied (p<0.001). Results indicated that specialized messages were needed to reach women and younger men. Both districts used these recommendations to implement changes to their MDA without additional financial support. An endline survey was performed after the 2014 MDA using the same sampling criteria (n = 811). Reported compliance in the last MDA improved in both districts from 57% to 77% (p<0.05). Those who reported having ever taken the LF drug rose from 79% to 90% (p<0.001) in both sites. Conclusions/Significance Micronarrative surveys were shown to be a valid and effective tool to detect operational issues within MDA programs. District health staff felt ownership of the results, implementing feasible changes to their programs that resulted in significant improvements to coverage and compliance in the subsequent MDA. This kind of implementation research using a micronarrative survey tool could benefit underperforming MDA programs as well as other disease control programs where a deeper understanding is needed to improve healthcare delivery.

Socio-economic factors and use of maternal health services are associated with delayed initiation and non-exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia: secondary analysis of Indonesia Demographic and Health Surveys 2002/2003 and 2007.

This analysis aims to examine factors associated with delayed initiation and non-exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia. Data were derived from the 2002/2003 and 2007 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey. Information from 12,191 singleton live-born infants aged 0-23 months was used to examine factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Furthermore, information from 3,187 singleton live-born infants aged 0-5 months was used to identify factors associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding. Associations between potential predictors and study outcomes were examined using logistic regression. Our study found that infants from high household wealth-index had significantly increased odds of both delayed initiation and non-exclusive breastfeeding. Other factors associated with an increased odds of delayed initiation of breastfeeding included infants from Sumatera region (OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.38-1.95), Caesarean-section deliveries (OR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.39-2.44) and deliveries in government-owned (OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.08-1.76) and non-health facility (OR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.00-1.43). Other factors associated with an increased odds for non-exclusive breastfeeding included parents who were in the workforce (OR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.06-1.78) and mothers with obstetric complication at childbirth (OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.05-1.74). However, the odds reduced for infants from Eastern Indonesia (OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.49-0.85). Poor breastfeeding practices are associated with environmental, socio-economic, pregnancy-birthing characteristics and maternal health services factors. Efforts to promote breastfeeding practices should be conducted comprehensively to target population at risk for poor breastfeeding practices.

Antenatal iron/folic acid supplements, but not postnatal care, prevents neonatal deaths in Indonesia: analysis of Indonesia Demographic and Health Surveys 2002/2003-2007 (a retrospective cohort study).

Objective This study aimed to assess the contribution of postnatal services to the risk of neonatal mortality, and the relative contributions of antenatal iron/folic acid supplements and postnatal care in preventing neonatal mortality in Indonesia. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting and participants Data used in this study were the 2002–2007 Indonesia Demographic and Health Surveys, nationally representative surveys. The pooled data provided survival information of 26 591 most recent live-born infants within the 5-years prior to each interview. Primary outcomes Primary outcomes were early neonatal mortality, that is, deaths in the first week, and all neonatal mortality, that is, deaths in the first month of life. Exposures were antenatal iron/folic acid supplementation and postnatal care from days 1 to 7. Potential confounders were community, socio-economic status and birthing characteristics and perinatal healthcare. Cox regression was used to assess the association between study factors and neonatal mortality. Results Postnatal care services were not associated with newborn survival. Postnatal care on days 1–7 after birth did not reduce neonatal death (HR=1.00, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.83, p=1.00) and early postnatal care on day 1 was associated with an increased risk of early neonatal death (HR=1.27, 95% CI 0.69 to 2.32, p=0.44) possibly reflecting referral of ill newborns. Early postnatal care on day 1 was not protective for neonatal deaths on days 2–7 whether provided by doctors (HR 3.61, 95% CI 1.54 to 8.45, p<0.01), or by midwives or nurses (HR 1.38, 95% CI 0.53 to 3.57, p=0.512). In mothers who took iron/folic acid supplements during pregnancy, the risk of early neonatal death was reduced by 51% (HR=0.49, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.79, p<0.01). Conclusions We found no protective effect of postnatal care against neonatal deaths in Indonesia. However, important reductions in the risk of neonatal death were found for women who reported use of antenatal iron/folic acid supplements during pregnancy.