Interventions to mitigate pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity in Black birthing people: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective

To conduct a systematic review of interventions to improve perinatal outcomes to mitigate pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity in Black birthing people.

Data Sources

We searched 5 databases from 2000 through the final search date of April 5, 2023: Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus with Full Text (EBSCOhost), Embase (Elsevier), PubMed, and Scopus (Elsevier) and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Study Eligibility Criteria

Only quantitative studies were eligible including observational and randomized controlled trials. All participants in selected studies must identify as Black or study results must be stratified by race that includes Black birthing people. The study must (1) measure a perinatal outcome of interest (2) occur in the United States and (3) be written in the English language. Studies were excluded if they were published prior to 2000, not published in the English language, or did not meet the criteria above.

Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods

A data extraction template identified intervention type and perinatal outcome. Perinatal outcomes included but were not limited to: cardiovascular disorders, mortality, or preterm delivery. Interventions included: community programs, educational enhancement, individual counseling, medical intervention, or policy. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Three investigators assessed studies individually and group consensus was used for a final decision.

Results

From 4,302 unique studies, 41 studies met inclusion criteria. Community programs such as the Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Healthy Start (n=17, 41.5%) were the most common interventions studied. Individual counseling closely followed (n=15, 36.6%). Medical interventions were not among the more commonly used intervention types (n=9, 21.9%). Most articles focused on preterm delivery (n=28, 68.3%). Few articles studied cardiovascular disorders (n=4, 9.8%) or hemorrhage (n=3, 7.3%). No articles studied pregnancy-related morbidity.

Conclusions

Despite current conversations on Black maternal mortality, there is currently limited literature examining interventions addressing perinatal morbidity and mortality in Black birthing people in the United States. These interventions do not address how to mitigate perinatal outcomes of interest. Patient-centered outcomes research is warranted to better understand as well as to resolve inequities related to Black maternal health.