Fast-track referral for health interventions during pregnancy: study protocol of a randomised pragmatic experimental study to reduce low birth weight in Portugal (STOP LBW).

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with a wide range of short-term and long-term consequences and is related to maternal psychosocial and behavioural determinants. The objective of this study is to estimate the effect of implementing fast-track referral for early intervention on psychosocial and behavioural risk factors-smoking, alcohol consumption, depression and physical violence-in reducing the incidence of LBW.

Methods and analysis

Parallel superiority pragmatic clinical trial randomised by clusters. Primary healthcare units (PHCU) located in Portugal will be randomised (1:1) to intervention or control groups. Pregnant women over 18 years of age attending these PHCU will be eligible to the study. Risk factors will be assessed through face-to-face interview

SUBMITTER: Barros H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8928251 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature