Antenatal corticosteroids for pregnant women at risk of preterm labor in low- and middle-income countries: utilization and facility readiness

Author:

Yang Wen-ChienORCID,Arsenault CatherineORCID,Fan Victoria Y.ORCID,Leslie Hannah H.ORCID,Farooq FouziaORCID,Pembe Andrea B.ORCID,Getachew TheodrosORCID,Smith Emily R.ORCID

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundAntenatal corticosteroids (ACS) use among pregnant women with a high likelihood of preterm labor improves newborn survival. ACS adoption in low– and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains limited. Giving ACS in inadequately equipped settings could be harmful to mothers and newborns. Thus, health facilities have to demontrate readiness to administer ACS. However, the degree to which health systems are ready is unknown.ObjectiveWe assessed facility readiness to administer ACS based on the 2022 WHO recommendations on ACS use and ACS utilization.MethodsThe study used Service Provision Assessment surveys administered between 2013 and 2022 in nine LMICs. The primary outcome was whether facilities had ever provided ACS. We also assessed injectable corticosteroid (dexamethasone or betamethasone) availability and facility readiness to administer ACS. We used a total of 35 indicators, grouped into four readiness categories based on the WHO recommendations, to measure facility readiness.FindingsAcross eight countries with comparable sampling strategies, only 10.7% (median, range 6.7% – 35.2%) of facilities had ever provided ACS; one-fourth (median 25.3%, range 4.6% – 61.5%) of facilities had injectable corticosteroids available at the time of the survey; overall readiness indices were low ranging from 8.1% for Bangladesh to 32.9% for Senegal. Across four readiness categories, the readiness index was the lowest for criterion 1 (ability to assess gestational age accurately and identify a high likelihood of preterm birth) (7.3%), followed by criterion 2 (ability to identify maternal infections) (24.8%), criterion 4 (ability to provide adequate preterm care) (31.3%), and criterion 3 (ability to provide adequate childbirth care) (32.9%).ConclusionWe proposed a strategy for measuring facility readiness to implement one of the most effective interventions to improve neonatal survival. Countries should operationalize readiness measurement, improve facilities readiness to deliver this life-saving intervention, and encourage ACS uptake by targeting facilities that are well-equipped.

Publisher

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Reference56 articles.

1. Antenatal corticosteroids for accelerating fetal lung maturation for women at risk of preterm birth

2. The World Health Organization. 2022 WHO recommendations on ACS to improve preterm birth outcomes. 2022. Epub 2022/09/29.

3. Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #58: Use of antenatal corticosteroids for individuals at risk for late preterm delivery

4. FIGO good practice recommendations on the use of prenatal corticosteroids to improve outcomes and minimize harm in babies born preterm

5. ACOG committee opinion;Antenatal Corticosteroid Therapy for Fetal Maturation The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,2017

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