Lifting and pregnancy outcomes: feasibility of a randomized controlled trial

Kwegyir-Afful, E; Verbeek, J; Aziato, L; Seffah, JD; Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K; Räsänen, K

Abstract

Background: The highest incidence of preterm birth (18%) occurs in Africa but the causes are largely unknown. Some studies have reported adverse effects of maternal physical exertion on birth outcomes. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is proposed to determine the effectiveness of an intervention reducing lifting and carrying in pregnant women in reducing preterm birth and low birthweight.

Aims: To test the feasibility and acceptability of the proposed lift-less intervention RCT.

Methods: We recruited pregnant women and midwives from antenatal clinics within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The midwives were trained to administer the intervention during a 5-week trial. Four intervention trial sessions were organized at weekly intervals.

Results: Seven pregnant women and six midwives participated. After piloting, we observed a reduction in participants’ self-reported daily exposure to heavy lifting and carrying. The daily average frequency of lifting by a participant within the first seven days of the study was 3.5 (SD 1.7) with an estimated mean total weight of 41.1 kg (SD = 13.3 kg). This had decreased to 2.3 (SD = 1.0) and the amount to 13.4 kg (SD = 10.9) within the last seven days of the study.

Conclusions: The findings provide insight into the daily physical exertion experienced by pregnant women in Ghana. The lift-less intervention trial is feasible with modifications and has the potential to reduce excessive physical exertion among pregnant women in Ghana to improve birth outcomes.

Citation

Kwegyir-Afful, E., Verbeek, J., Aziato, L., Seffah, J., Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K., & Räsänen, K. (2018). Lifting and pregnancy outcomes: feasibility of a randomized controlled trial. Occupational Medicine, 68(1), 11-17. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqx166

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Nov 19, 2017
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Apr 26, 2019
• Journal: Occupational Medicine
• Print ISSN: 0962-7480
• Electronic ISSN: 1471-8405
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Volume: 68
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 11-17
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqx166
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqx166
• Additional Information: Funders : Saastamoinen Foundation