241534 Lost in translation: A review of the literature on group prenatal care overseas

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Tyra Gross, MPH , Health Promotion & Behavior, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Su-Anne Charlery, BA, MPH , 300 River Road, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
BACKGROUND: Prenatal (antenatal) care is important factor in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality and improving birth outcomes. However, only 68% of women in developing countries receive prenatal care in comparison to 98% of women in industrialized countries. One innovative solution to possibly address this disparity is group prenatal care, which has shown favorable outcomes in vulnerable populations in the United States, including mothers who are adolescents, low-income, Black, or Latino. Although the benefits of group prenatal care are documented, little is known of its translation in the global community. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this literature review are to describe group prenatal care and discuss published literature conducted globally in the area of group prenatal care. METHODS: A review of relevant literature cited in electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Web of Science) was conducted. Keywords used were “group prenatal care”, “group antenatal care”, “CenteringPregnancy” and “Centering Pregnancy”. Inclusion criteria included descriptive, cross-sectional, cohort, and randomized controlled studies that were conducted overseas, and published in English after January 2001. RESULTS: A lack of published research on group prenatal care conducted overseas exists. To date, a total of three original studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings included increased patient satisfaction, higher birthweights in infants of group prenatal care women, and increased breastfeeding rates. CONCLUSION: Group prenatal care is being translated abroad but not extensively. Results are promising and should prompt further research on the benefits of group prenatal care in the global community, especially in developing countries.

Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe group prenatal care and how it differs from traditional prenatal care. 2. Identify global research on group prenatal care. 3. Discuss recommendations for additional research globally in group prenatal care.

Keywords: Prenatal Care, International MCH

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I researched group prenatal care during my MPH program and I conducted the literature review.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.