Preconception Maternal Mentoring for Improved Fetal Growth among Indonesian Women: Results from a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Hamam Hadi, Siti Nurunniyah, Joel Gittelsohn, Ratih Devi Alfiana, Fatimatasari, Emma C. Lewis, Detty Nurdiati

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The prevalence of stunting in young children is associated with poor growth during the prenatal and early postnatal periods. A maternal mentoring program was developed for Indonesian women to improve birth outcomes. A cluster-randomized controlled trial (CRCT) was conducted in three sub-districts of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. A total of 384 eligible participants were randomly allocated to either an intervention (received the maternal mentoring program and standard care; n = 189) or control (received standard care only; n = 195) group. The maternal mentoring program provided preconception health education; health monitoring; and text message reminders for preconception women. Fetal growth was measured between gestational weeks 27 and 30 using the estimated fetal weight generated from ultrasonographic measurements. Birth weight was measured within 24 h of birth. A structured questionnaire captured women’s demographics, pregnancy readiness, and body mass indexes (BMIs). After adjustment, fetal weight was 14% (95% CI: 5.1–23.0) higher in the intervention group than in the control group, and the average weight-for-length Z-score at birth was 0.16 (95% CI: 0.04–0.30) higher in the intervention group than in the control group. The maternal mentoring program was associated with improved fetal growth and birth weight in this population and should be considered for scale-up to other settings, nationally and globally.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number4579
JournalNutrients
Volume15
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2023

Keywords

  • Indonesia
  • fetal growth
  • maternal and child health
  • maternal mentoring
  • preconception

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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