Preliminary impact of a care management pilot program for highrisk pregnant women on care utilization and outcomes
Journal
Taiwan Journal of Public Health
Journal Volume
40
Journal Issue
2
Pages
166-175
Date Issued
2021-04-01
Author(s)
Li, Guo Hong
Abstract
Objectives: To improve prenatal care utilization and birth outcomes, prenatal care coordination for pregnant women is internationally regarded as a critical strategy. Since 2017, a care coordination pilot program for high-risk (socioeconomic- and pregnancy-related risks) pregnant women has been implemented in Taiwan. The objective of this study was to examine the preliminary impact of this program on prenatal care utilization and birth outcomes among highrisk pregnant women. Methods: Data provided by the Health Promotion Administration on all women who gave birth at any time between May 2017 and May 2018 were employed. Propensity score matching and multivariate binary logistic regression were performed to examine whether the program intervention reduced the odds of having fewer than 4 or 8 prenatal care visits, a caesarean section, a baby with low birth weight, a preterm baby, or obstetric complications. Results: Each group included 621 pregnant women after matching. Pregnant women who participated in the program had lower odds of having fewer than 4 prenatal visits or a baby with low birth weight compared with those who did not participate (odds ratio: 0.11, 95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.44; odds ratio: 0.42, 95% confidence interval: 0.23-0.77). Conclusions: The preliminary impact of the care coordination pilot program is, first, an increase in the proportion of high-risk pregnant women who undergo at least 4 prenatal care visits and, second, a decrease in the proportion of babies with low birth weight in this group.
Subjects
Care coordination | Maternal health | Neonatal health | Prenatal care
Care coordination; Maternal health; Neonatal health; Prenatal care
SDGs
Type
journal article