Speakers: Melissa Cheyney, Micknal Arefaine, Allison Cummins
Facilitator: Jane Houston
The Quality Maternal and Newborn Care (QMNC) Research Alliance works to transform global knowledge production by addressing fundamental questions of epistemic justice: whose voices count and who participates in creating knowledge. Emerging from the 2014 Lancet Series on Midwifery, the Alliance recognizes that research inequities persist globally, with dominant narratives often excluding critical perspectives from diverse practitioners and communities.
QMNC’s collaborative approach deliberately centers LMIC voices, particularly emphasizing the integral role of midwifery knowledge. By fostering international partnerships across researchers, clinicians, advocates, and policymakers, the Alliance creates pathways for equitable participation in knowledge creation and dissemination. This model challenges traditional hierarchies that have historically privileged certain forms of expertise while dismissing others.
Through its mission to promote research that helps all childbearing families “survive, thrive, and transform lives,” QMNC demonstrates how epistemic justice serves as a foundation for improving maternal and newborn outcomes worldwide.
Speakers: Angelica Mercedes Lozano Rivera, Marlene Magallanes Corimanya & Lalescka Araceli Soria Gonzales
Facilitator: Marcela Mendoza
Introduccion: La anticoncepción postaborto es vital para reducir embarazos no deseados y prevenir la mortalidad materna.
Objetivo: Determinar si la nacionalidad y la edad están asociadas con el uso de anticonceptivos prescritos en el postaborto, tras un seguimiento de seis meses.
Metodos: Se realizaun estudio observacional analitico con mujeres que aceptaron un mettodo anticonceptivo inmediatamente despues de un aborto en un hospital publico peruano (N = 399). De ellas, se contactó telefónicamente a 175 participantes seis meses después.
Resultados: Solo el 39,42% de las mujeres mantuvo el uso del método anticonceptivo. Se hallo una asociacion significativa entre la edad (p = 0,049) y la nacionalidad venezolana (p = 0,043) con el uso de metodos anticonceptivos seis meses despues del aborto.
Conclusion: Seis meses después del alta hospitalaria, se observa una asociación entre el uso de métodos anticonceptivos postaborto y las variables edad y nacionalidad.
Introduction: Post-abortion contraception is vital to reduce unwanted pregnancies and prevent maternal mortality.
Objective: To determine whether nationality and age are associated with the use of prescribed contraceptives in the post-abortion period, after a six-month follow-up.
Methods: An analytical observational study was conducted with women who accepted a contraceptive method immediately after an abortion in a Peruvian public hospital (N = 399). Of these, 175 participants were contacted by telephone six months later.
Results: Only 39.42% of the women continued using the contraceptive method. A significant association was found between age (p = 0.049) and Venezuelan nationality (p = 0.043) with the use of contraceptive methods six months after the abortion.
Conclusion: Six months after hospital discharge, an association was observed between the use of post-abortion contraceptive methods and the variables age and nationality.
Check time in your country https://bit.ly/VIDM25-session-05
Speakers: Eunice Iluobe Akhigbe and Ridwan Abdusalam
Facilitator: Linda Wylie
Neonatal jaundice is a common but potentially serious condition caused by elevated bilirubin levels, which, if left untreated, can lead to kernicterus, an irreversible neurological disorder. While advances in neonatal care have improved management, myths and misconceptions continue to delay timely healthcare-seeking behavior, particularly in underserved communities.
This study explores the impact of cultural beliefs on neonatal jaundice management, emphasizing the critical role of midwives in community education, early diagnosis, and timely medical intervention. A review of clinical data, community health reports, and maternal health education programs highlights key misconceptions, including: The belief that jaundice is harmless and does not require medical attention. The misconception that sunlight exposure alone can cure jaundice, delaying hospital visits. Cultural remedies discouraging breastfeeding, leading to dehydration and worsening hyperbilirubinemia.
To combat these challenges, this study recommends:
- Community education campaigns to promote awareness of neonatal jaundice risks and medical care.
- Midwife training and engagement to strengthen their role in addressing myths and guiding caregivers.
- Integration of traditional and medical practices through collaboration with community leaders.
- Improved access to phototherapy and neonatal care, especially in rural areas.
- Mother-to-mother peer support networks, such as the Wellbeing Foundation Mamacare WhatsApp groups.
- Policy advocacy for neonatal jaundice screening programs at birth and early postnatal visits.
By addressing misconceptions through midwife-led education and advocacy, this approach enhances early intervention, reduces neonatal complications, and improves health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
