Review of Birth Delivery Kits

IMMPACT project at the University of Aberdeen has asked the MHTF to circulate the message below to members.

Immpact is currently undertaking a rapid, scoping review of the literature to identify lessons learnt and work underway relevant to the content and use of birth delivery kits in developing countries.

We would be delighted to hear from anyone who is currently conducting research (including reviews) or working in this area Copies of completed research papers and reports would also be most welcome. Since the time available to conduct the review is limited, we would be grateful is contact could be made with us by 30th September 2009. You can contact the review team at: birthkitreview@immpact-international.org

Review objective: The review will assess the available evidence on both positive and negative effects of birth delivery kits. Since the review is a scoping exercise the literature included will be as extensive as possible and will include all available evidence. An additional aim of this review is to identify work in progress and the key players working in this area.

The following specific objectives will be addressed:

1. What are the main components of a birth delivery kit?
   
   What are the circumstances in which birth delivery kits are currently used?
   
   What are the effects of birth delivery kits on maternal and newborn outcomes?
   
   Can birth delivery kits act as a stimulus or catalyst to improving the quality of care?
   
   Are there any negative effects from birth delivery kits?

Participants: The review is predominantly concerned with maternity care in less developed countries (LDC), but selected studies involving women from developed countries will also be included since lessons learnt may have implications for LDCs.

Intervention:The intervention in this review is a birth delivery kit. In general terms, this is defined as a kit intended for use in the intrapartum period, specifically at the birth of the baby.

Outcomes: Outcomes of interest will include measures of maternal & newborn mortality. Secondary outcomes include quality of care, women’s experiences and satisfaction with care, staff satisfaction, and cost. Process measures, such as compliance and ease of use, will also be collected.

For further information please see the Review Protocol. A PDF copy of this Call for Information is also available.

A copy of the Immpact report, including findings from literature as well as key initiatives & contacts will be made available on the Immpact website on completion of the review.

The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.