The prevalence of early and exclusive breastfeeding in Vietnam remains sub-optimal. The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 3 days after birth (EBF3D). We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional survey of 726 mothers with children aged 0–11 months in two provinces and one municipality from May to July 2020. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with EIBF and EBF3D. The prevalence of EIBF was 39.7% and EBF3D 18.0%. The EIBF prevalence is positively associated with immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact (SSC) for 10–29 min (aOR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.49, 4.37), 30–59 min (aOR: 4.15; 95% CI: 2.08, 8.27), 60–80 min (aOR: 4.35; 95% CI: 1.50, 12.6), or ≥90 min (aOR: 5.87; 95% CI: 3.14, 10.98). EIBF was negatively associated with cesarean birth (aOR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.51), bringing infant formula to the birth facility (aOR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.78), purchased it after arrival (aOR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.60), or did both (aOR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.89). EBF3D was negatively associated with cesarean section birth (aOR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.39), vaginal birth with episiotomy (aOR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.88), bringing formula to the maternity facility (aOR: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.07), purchased it after arrival (aOR: 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.06) or did both (aOR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.10). Receiving counseling from any source was not significantly associated with early breastfeeding practices. Policy and health service delivery interventions should be directed at eliminating infant formula from birthing environments, reducing unnecessary cesarean sections and episiotomies, providing immediate and uninterrupted SSC for all births, and improving breastfeeding counseling and support.

To determine factors associated with breastfeeding practices around childbirth, namely early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding for the first three days after birth (EBF3D). A population-based, cross-sectional survey of 726 mothers with children aged 0–11 months in two provinces and one municipality was conducted between May and July 2020. Multinomial logistic regression controlling for potential confounding factors was used to examine factors associated with EIBF and EBF3D. Rates of EIBF (49.7%) and EBF3D (18%) were low. Many mothers (88.0%) brought formula to the birth hospital or purchased it after arrival. Mothers reported high rates of cesarean section (44.6%) and vaginal birth with episiotomy (46.1%), with 49.3% receiving immediate skin-to-skin contact (SSC) after birth. Factors associated with reduced likelihood of EIBF were giving birth by cesarean (OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.50), bringing formula to the birth facility (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.76), or purchasing it after arrival (OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.58). EIBF was significantly more likely to occur if immediate and uninterrupted SSC was applied for 10–29 minutes (OR: 2.49; 95% CI:1.45, 4.28), 30–59 minutes (OR: 4.15; 95% CI:2.07, 8.33), 60–80 minutes (OR: 4.23; 95% CI:1.60, 11.19), or ≥ 90 minutes (OR: 5.66; 95% CI:3.09, 10.35). EBF3D was less likely among mothers who gave birth by cesarean section (OR:0.15; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.38), had a vaginal birth with episiotomy (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.87), brought infant formula to the maternity facility (OR: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.07) or purchased it after arrival (OR: 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.06), and received a free commercial milk formula sample during their hospital stay (OR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.62). The prevalence of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding in the first days after birth are low and associated with factors at the individual, health provider, and health facility environment level. Policy actions should be directed at eliminating commercial milk formula from birthing environments, reducing unnecessary cesarean sections and episiotomies, ensuring immediate and uninterrupted SSC for all births, and improving the quality of breastfeeding counseling and support. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Grant Number OPP50838) and Irish Aid.

BACKGROUND:Pasteurized donor milk (PDM) is typically prescribed to preterm or low birthweight newborns when their mother's own milk is unavailable. In surplus, PDM is prescribed to meet the nutritional needs of healthy newborns in the first few days of life. However, its overuse can undermine efforts to promote and support breastfeeding, waste resources, and reduce the availability of PDM for at-risk newborns. We conducted this study to examine factors associated with the prescription and prolonged use (>48 h) of privately purchased PDM to healthy newborns.METHODS:Prospective observational study of 2440 mothers of healthy, term, and normal birthweight newborns born at Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children between April and August 2019. In addition to the descriptive analysis, we performed multiple logistic regressions to examine factors associated with the prescription of PDM (n = 2440) and prolonged PDM use among those who used PDM (n = 566).RESULTS:Twenty-three percent (566/2440) of healthy, term, and birthweight ≥2500 g newborns received PDM and were included in the study. The prevalence of PDM use was higher for cesarean births (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.66, 2.55) and among male newborns (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.62), but lower for farmers or workers (vs. other jobs; OR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.93), family income <10 million VND (vs. ≥10 million VND; OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.82), and duration of skin-to-skin ≥90 min (vs. <90 min; OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.39, 0.76). Prolonged PDM use (12.4% of 566 newborns who used PDM) was associated with the mother having a higher socioeconomic status job (professional, small trader or homemaker; OR: 4.00; 95% CI: 1.39, 12.5), being a first-time mother (OR: 3.39; 95% CI: 1.92, 6.01) or having a cesarean birth (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.02, 4.28).CONCLUSIONS:The prescription and prolonged use of privately purchased PDM was associated with non-medical factors unrelated to the ability to breastfeed effectively. The findings suggest the need for improved breastfeeding communication, counseling and support skills for health staff, development, and application of strict criteria on PDM use for healthy newborns and better routine monitoring of PDM use over time.

We describe the first infant born to a woman with COVID-19 in Vietnam, by Caesarean section at 36 weeks and 5 days of gestation. The mother and baby remained together during their hospital stay and prolonged skin-to-skin contact and early and exclusive breastfeeding were achieved. This was in line with the World Health Organization's Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) recommendations, the national Vietnamese standard of care since 2014. The baby remained virus-free throughout the 34-day postpartum follow-up. Conclusion The EENC approach can still be used with mothers who have COVID-19 if effective infection control measures are applied.

The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (the SCC) is a clinical tool developed to help health workers follow evidence-based maternal and perinatal care practices at childbirth. Newborn delivery care practices at facilities in seven countries in East Asia and the Pacific were compared to practices checked by the SCC. The analysis found that the SCC does not incorporate several key evidence-based practices around birth demonstrated to prevent newborn morbidity or mortality, or harmful practices associated with increased risks. A revision of the standard SCC is needed to maximise its potential to improve newborn outcomes. This can be initiated under the coordinating umbrella of WHO, but must ensure that the realities of labour and childbirth practices in low- and middle-income countries are considered and addressed.

We describe the first infant born to a woman with COVID-19 in Vietnam, by Caesarean section at 36 weeks and 5 days of gestation. The mother and baby remained together during their hospital stay and prolonged skin-to-skin contact and early and exclusive breastfeeding were achieved. This was in line with the World Health Organization's Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) recommendations, the national Vietnamese standard of care since 2014. The baby remained virus-free throughout the 34-day postpartum follow-up. The EENC approach can still be used with mothers who have COVID-19 if effective infection control measures are applied.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with high rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, morbidity and mortality in the general population. Evidence-based guidance on caring for babies born to mothers with COVID-19 is needed. There is currently insufficient evidence to suggest vertical transmission between mothers and their newborn infants. However, transmission can happen after birth from mothers or other carers. Based on the currently available data, prolonged skin-to-skin contact and early and exclusive breastfeeding remain the best strategies to reduce the risks of morbidity and mortality for both the mother with COVID-19 and her baby.

The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (the SCC) is a clinical tool developed to help health workers follow evidence-based maternal and perinatal care practices at childbirth. Newborn delivery care practices at facilities in seven countries in East Asia and the Pacific were compared to practices checked by the SCC. The analysis found that the SCC does not incorporate several key evidence-based practices around birth demonstrated to prevent newborn morbidity or mortality, or harmful practices associated with increased risks. A revision of the standard SCC is needed to maximise its potential to improve newborn outcomes. This can be initiated under the coordinating umbrella of WHO, but must ensure that the realities of labour and childbirth practices in low- and middle-income countries are considered and addressed.

Background Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services are critical to providing quality maternal and neonatal care in health facilities. This study aimed to investigate availability of WASH policies, standards, and services for childbirth and newborn care in hospitals in East Asia and the Pacific. Methods Descriptive analysis of survey data and observations of water, sanitation and hygiene services in maternity and neonatal care rooms and of deliveries in 147 hospitals in Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Viet Nam. The main outcome measures were availability of national policies and standards; availability of water, sanitation, and hygiene services in maternity rooms and neonatal care units; and practice of hygiene at childbirth. Results Three of seven countries had national WASH policies and three had standards for health facilities. Seventy-seven percent of hospitals had a sink with water and soap or alcohol hand rub in delivery rooms, 78% in neonatal care rooms and 42% in postnatal care rooms. Only 44% of hospitals had clean sinks with water, soap and hand drying methods in the delivery room, 40% in neonatal care units and 10% in postnatal care rooms. Flush toilets were available in or next to delivery rooms in 60% and neonatal care units in 50% of 10 hospitals with data. Countries with WASH standards had a higher proportion of hospitals with water and hand hygiene services. Appropriate hygiene was practiced by health workers in 65% of 371 deliveries observed, and more likely in delivery rooms with a sink, water and soap. Conclusions Coverage of WASH services for maternal and newborn care must be improved to reduce risks of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.

BACKGROUND:In the Philippines, one in four pregnancies are unintended and 610 000 unsafe abortions are performed each year. This study explored the association between missed opportunities to provide family planning counseling, quality of counseling and its impact on utilization of effective contraception in the Philippines.METHODS:One-hundred-one nationally representative health facilities were randomly selected from five levels of the health system. Sexually-active women 18-49 years old, wanting to delay or limit childbearing, attending primary care clinics between April 24 and August 8, 2017 were included. Data on contraceptive use, counseling and availability were collected using interviews and facility assessments. Effective contraceptive methods were defined as those with rates of unintended pregnancy of less than 10 per 100 women in first year of typical use.FINDINGS:849 women were recruited of whom 51.1% currently used effective contraceptive methods, 20.6% were former effective method users and 28.3% had never used an effective method. Of 1664 cumulative clinic visits reported by women in the previous year, 72.6% had a missed opportunity to receive family planning counseling at any visit regardless of level of facility, with 83.7% having a missed counseling opportunity on the day of the interview. Most women (55.9%) reported health concerns about modern contraception, with 2.9% receiving counseling addressing their concerns. Only 0.6% of former users and 2.1% never-users said they would consider starting a modern contraceptive in the future. Short and long acting reversible contraceptive methods were available in 93% and 68% of facilities respectively.CONCLUSIONS:Missed opportunities to provide family planning counseling are widespread in the Philippines. Delivery of effective contraceptive methods requires that wider legal, policy, social, cultural, and structural barriers are addressed, coupled with systems approaches for improving availability and quality of counseling at all primary health care contacts.

OBJECTIVE:To determine whether intrapartum and newborn care practices improved in 11 large hospitals between 2008 and 2015.DESIGN:Secondary data analysis of observational assessments conducted in 11 hospitals in 2008 and 2015.SETTING:Eleven large government hospitals from five regions in the Philippines.PARTICIPANTS:One hundred and seven randomly sampled postpartum mother-baby pairs in 2008 and 106 randomly sampled postpartum mothers prior to discharge from hospitals after delivery.INTERVENTIONS:A national initiative to improve quality of newborn care starting in 2009 through development of a standard package of intrapartum and newborn care services, practice-based training, formation of multidisciplinary hospital working groups, and regular assessments and meetings in hospitals to identify actions to improve practices, policies and environments. Quality improvement was supported by policy development, health financing packages, health facility standards, capacity building and health communication.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Sixteen intrapartum and newborn care practices.RESULTS:Between 2008 and 2015, initiation of drying within 5 s of birth, delayed cord clamping, dry cord care, uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact, timing and duration of the initial breastfeed, and bathing deferred until 6 h after birth all vastly improved (P<0.001). The proportion of newborns receiving hygienic cord handling and the hepatitis B birth dose decreased by 11-12%. Except for reduced induction of labor, inappropriate maternal care practices persisted.CONCLUSIONS:Newborn care practices have vastly improved through an approach focused on improving hospital policies, environments and health worker practices. Maternal care practices remain outdated largely due to the ineffective didactic training approaches adopted for maternal care.

Background: To accelerate reductions in neonatal mortality, Viet Nam rolled out early essential newborn care (EENC) using clinical coaching, quality improvement assessments in hospitals, and updated protocols. Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, a tertiary referral hospital in central Viet Nam, compared outcomes preand post-EENC introduction. Methods: Records of live births and NICU admissions were reviewed pre- (November 2013-October 2014) and post- (November 2014-October 2015) EENC implementation. Delivery room practices, NICU admissions and adverse outcomes on NICU admission were compared using descriptive statistics. Findings: A total of 13,201 live births were delivered pre- and 14,180 live births post-EENC introduction. Post-EENC, delivery practice scores, rates of early and prolonged skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding rose significantly. There was a significant reduction in risk of NICU admissions (relative risk [RR] 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-0.71; p < 0.0001), hypothermia on NICU admission (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.65-0.81, p < 0.0001) and sepsis (RR 0.28; 95% CI 0.23-0.35, p 0.0001). Exclusive breastfeeding rates in NICU increased from 49% to 88% (p < 0.0001) and of kangaroo mother care (KMC) from 52% to 67% (p < 0.0001). Reduced formula use resulted in decreased monthly costs. Interpretation: EENC introduction, including staff coaching, quality improvement assessments and changes in hospital protocols and environments, were associated with improved clinical practices, reduced NICU admissions, admissions with hypothermia and sepsis and increased rates of exclusive breastfeeding and KMC in the NICU. Funding: Data collection was funded by the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office and Newborns Vietnam. Outstanding Questions: What is the impact of the package of early essential newborn care interventions on newborn mortality? What are the total direct and indirect cost savings of early essential newborn care implementation? What is the cost effectiveness of kangaroo mother care for preterm and low birth weight babies? What strategies can help reduce unnecessary cesarean sections in hospitals? (C) 2018 World Health Organization. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Objectives: As a part of the process of implementing Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) in China, which are evidence-based interventions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), we sought to understand whether current hospital policies are consistent with WHO-recommended standards and what factors influence their use. Data from the study will help inform policy changes needed to support the introduction of evidence-based childbirth and early newborn care practices effectively and to inform further scale up of EENC nationwide. Methods: Ten randomly selected hospitals in 4 early-introducing provinces participated in the study. We collected data from 20 simulated delivery scenario observations and focus group discussions and individual interviews with 10 hospital management staff. Policies, protocols, and guidelines related to childbirth and newborn care practice were also collected and reviewed at each hospital. Additionally, a survey was emailed to 15 childbirth and newborn experts from the 4 selected provinces and completed by 13. Data were compared with WHO EENC evidence-based standards to calculate the agreement rates. Barriers to introducing evidence-based guidelines were identified in focus groups and key informant interviews, then combined into common categories. Findings: Hospital policies were not consistent with WHO recommendations in 10 (59%) of the 17 delivery and early newborn care practices. Delayed cord clamping was recommended by 30% of hospital protocols and prolonged skin-to-skin contact by 13%, neither of which were observed in the delivery simulations. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) for stable preterm babies was required in only 17% of the hospitals; no preterm babies had KMC initiated, with all immediately separated from their mothers and admitted to neonatal intensive care units. Newborn resuscitation equipment was required to be placed within 2 meters of the delivery bed in 84% of hospital protocols, but was prepared in only 40% of cases. Immediate drying after birth was required in 48% of hospital protocols, but was initiated in only 20% of observed cases. Conclusions: Current childbirth and early newborn care policy and practice in China is not aligned with WHO recommendations for some major interventions. To make it easier and safer for hospital workers to practice EENC, expert working groups and national policies must be established to address inconsistencies and cultural beliefs and provide a strong, evidence-based set of guidelines for hospitals and health workers to follow.

近年来,我国在降低5岁以下儿童死亡率方面取得了显著成效,但其中新生儿死亡所占比例仍高于全球平均水平.为改善新生儿健康状况,进一步降低新生儿死亡率,原国家卫生和计划生育委员会于2015年引入世界卫生组织新生儿早期基本保健技术(Early Essential Newborn Care,EENC),在我国选择部分地区进行试点研究.