Methodological Issues on Planning and Running the Brazilian Multicenter Study on Preterm Birth

Abstract

Objectives. Assuming that the occurrence of preterm births and their maternal and neonatal associated conditions in Brazil are not completely known, a multicenter study was proposed. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methods used, its processes, achievements, and challenges. Study Design. A multicenter cross-sectional study on preterm births in Brazilian facilities plus a nested case-control study to assess their associated factors. A description of all steps of planning and implementing such a nationwide study, including strategies for dealing with problems arising during the process, is presented. Results. 20 referral hospitals in different regions of Brazil participated in the study. A detailed questionnaire for data collection, an electronic platform for data transcription and monitoring, research materials, and specific monitoring tools were developed; then data management and analyses were performed. Finally, we got information on 4,150 preterm births and 1,146 term births. Conclusions. This study represented the first step of a planned comprehensive assessment of preterm birth in Brazil, with detailed information that will lead to several analyses and further studies, bringing the knowledge to improve screening, diagnosis, and treatment practices in maternal and perinatal health with the final purpose of reducing the burden of this condition in the country.

Cluster analysis identifying clinical phenotypes of preterm birth and related maternal and neonatal outcomes from the Brazilian Multicentre Study on Preterm Birth

“…The EMIP study followed standardized data collection protocols and several procedures to assure data quality. 10 Nevertheless, the present analysis has some limitations. First, there were no data on cervical length, a maternal condition that is highly associated with the occurrence of sPTB.…”

“…The EMIP study followed standardized data collection protocols and several procedures to assure data quality . Nevertheless, the present analysis has some limitations.…”

The role of maternal infection in preterm birth: evidence from the Brazilian Multicentre Study on Preterm Birth (EMIP)

“…EMIP was a multicenter cross-sectional study with a nested case-control component. The study protocol and main results have been previously reported (9)(10)(11)(12). Currently, this analysis focuses on the development of maternal infection, type of PTB, and factors possibly associated with maternal infection and neonatal outcomes (fetal and neonatal mortality, Apgar score, birth weight, intubation, use of surfactant, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, ventilatory support, neonatal morbidity, neonatal sepsis, cerebral hemorrhage, and necrotizing enterocolitis).…”

Identification of variables and their influence on the human resources planning in the territorial level

“…This feature is characterized by significant interrelationships processes dating from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution (Marrero-Fornaris, 2002;Sánchez-Rodríguez, 2005;Cuesta-Santos, 2010, Martínez-Vivar, Marrero-Fornaris & Pérez-Campdesuñer, 2013Ramesh, Kumar-Ghosh, Prakash, Sharma, Rajaram, Kar et al, 2015;Lajos, Tedesco, Passini, Dias, Nomura, Rehder et al, 2015), be managed activities relating to recruitment, absenteeism control, maintenance of discipline and payroll.…”