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Nurse-Family Partnership Impact Evaluation in South Carolina

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Injuries
Preterm Birth
Maternal Behavior
Interventions
Behavioral: Nurse-Family Partnership
Registration Number
NCT03360539
Lead Sponsor
Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)
Brief Summary

This study evaluates the effects of the Nurse Family Partnership (NFP), an established home-visiting program, using a scientifically rigorous individual-level randomized controlled trial. The study will be based in South Carolina, where a Medicaid waiver in combination with a pay-for-success contract will allow expansion of the program to women on Medicaid. The study plans to enroll 4000 low-income, first time mothers and their children into the intervention group, and another 2000 into the control group. The study will evaluate the program's impacts on outcomes using administrative records. This study aims to yield new evidence on the effect of NFP in a modern context, applied to a new population, across a broad range of outcomes, and financed by a novel public-private partnership based on accountability for outcomes.

Detailed Description

This study is an individual-level randomized controlled trial, with randomization post-consent. The study will enroll pregnant women who are income-eligible for Medicaid, less than 28 weeks pregnant, and have not had a previous live birth. All eligible applicants who provide written consent will be randomly assigned either to a treatment group that is offered access to NFP or to a control group that is not. Two-thirds of those recruited will be randomized to the treatment group and one-third to the control group. Control group members will have access to the standard of care and whatever other programs and services are available in the community.

The investigators will assess the effect of NFP on a range of short- and long-run maternal and child outcomes using administrative data that will be available for all members of both treatment and control groups. Several of the outcomes the investigators will evaluate are required as part of the Medicaid waiver and pay-for-success financing model.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
5820
Inclusion Criteria
  • Female
  • No previous live births
  • Currently pregnant
  • Gestation period less than 28 weeks (i.e. less than or equal to 27 weeks, 6 days) at time of recruitment
  • Ages 15-55
  • Income level meets Medicaid eligibility criteria
  • Live within an area serviced by a NFP Implementing Agency
  • Not currently enrolled in the study
  • Not incarcerated or living in lock down facilities
Exclusion Criteria
  • Men
  • Women who have had a previous live birth
  • Women who are not currently pregnant
  • Women who are past their 28th week of gestation (i.e. greater than or equal to 28 weeks, 0 days) at time of recruitment
  • Women who are younger than 15 or older than 55 years of age
  • Women whose income level does not meet Medicaid eligibility criteria
  • Women who live outside of an area serviced by a NFP Implementing Agency
  • Women who are currently enrolled in the study
  • Women who are currently incarcerated or living in a lock down facility

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Treatment-NFPNurse-Family PartnershipNFP is a prenatal and infancy home visiting program for low-income, first-time mothers and their families. Registered nurses begin visiting their clients as early in the pregnancy as possible, helping the mother-to-be make informed choices. The nurses continue visiting regularly until the child is two years old.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Composite birth outcome0-7 days after birth; vital records, mortality records, and fetal death records

Composite of at least one of: small for gestational (SGA), or low birth weight (LBW) less than 2500 grams, preterm birth (PTB) less than 37 weeks' gestation (obstetric estimate), or perinatal mortality (fetal death at or after 20 weeks of gestation or mortality in the first 7 days of life)

Inter-birth interval of < 21 months21 months postpartum; vital records

Having a subsequent birth within the first 21 months of the index birth

Major injury or concern for abuse or neglect24 months postpartum; Medicaid claims or hospital discharge data

Composite of at least one health care encounter or mortality associated with ICD codes indicating either major injury, or, concern for abuse or neglect

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Time to first take-up of family planning counseling or service24 months postpartum; Medicaid claims, hospital discharge

Months from pregnancy to first take up of family planning counseling or service

Extremely preterm birthAt birth; vital records

Infant born before 28 weeks' gestation

Number of emergency department visits during pregnancyAt birth; hospital discharge

Number of emergency department visits during pregnancy

Small for gestational age (SGA)At birth; vital records

Infant birth weight below the 10th percentile for infants of the same gestational age

Large for gestational age (LGA)At birth; vital records

Infant birth weight above the 90th percentile for infants of the same gestational age

Very low birth weightAt birth; vital records

Infant born with a birth weight of less than 1500 grams

Gestational age at birthAt birth; vital records

Gestational age at birth in weeks (continuous)

Perinatal mortality1 month postpartum; mortality records and fetal death records

Fetal death at or after 20 weeks of gestation or mortality in the first 7 days of life

Neonatal abstinence disorder (NAS) or maternal drug/substance abuseTwo years postpartum; Medicaid claims, hospital discharge

Evidence of NAS or maternal drug or substance abuse in first two years postpartum

Low birth weight (LBW)At birth; vital records

Infant born with a birth weight of less than 2500 grams

Maternal mortalityOne year postpartum; mortality records

Death of mother within one year postpartum

Maternal experience of violence or homicide24 months postpartum; Medicaid claims, mortality records

Includes any ICD code for healthcare encounter associated with experiencing violence or mortality associated with homicide based on ICD code

Preterm birthAt birth; vital records

Infant born before 37 weeks' gestation (obstetric estimate)

Mental health treatment follow up120 days of treatment initiation; Medicaid claims

Second antidepressant prescription or outpatient mental health visit within 120 days of treatment initiation ("acute phase")

Number of mental health related emergency/inpatient visitsDuring pregnancy or 12 months postpartum; Hospital discharge

Based on all-listed diagnoses (i.e. primary or secondary) for depression/anxiety/stress reaction

Any emergency department visit for child24 months of life; hospital discharge

Child visit to the emergency department

Developmental screening12 months; Medicaid claims

Child receives at least one developmental screening

Flouride treatment24 months; Medicaid claims and dental records

Share of recommended fluoride treatments received by child

Inter-birth interval of < 24 months24 months; vital records

Having a subsequent birth within the first 24 months of the index birth

Inter-birth interval of < 15 months15 months; vital records

Having a subsequent birth within the first 15 months of the index birth

Inter-birth interval60 months; vital records

Continuous measure of inter-birth interval

Adequate prenatal careAt birth; vital records

Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization Index (APNCU)

Postpartum visit12 weeks postpartum; Medicaid claims

Postpartum visit in first 12 weeks after birth

Birth weight (continuous)At birth; vital records

A continuous measure of infant birth weight (grams)

Antidepressant prescriptionDuring pregnancy or 60 days postpartum; Medicaid claims

Antidepressant prescription

Neonatal morbidityAt birth; hospital discharge

Assisted ventilation immediately after delivery, assisted ventilation for more than six hours, seizure, receipt of surfactant replacement therapy, and receipt of antibiotics for suspected sepsis.

Cesarean deliveryAt birth; vital records

Cesarean delivery

Severe acute maternal morbidityAt birth; hospital discharge

As defined by the CDC

Ultrasound at 18-22 weeksAt birth; Medicaid claims

Ultrasound at 18-22 weeks (anatomy scan)

Mental health diagnosis or outpatient treatmentDuring pregnancy or 60 days postpartum; Medicaid claims

Diagnosis for depression/anxiety/stress reaction or antidepressant prescription or outpatient mental health visit

Diagnosis of depression/anxiety/stress reactionDuring pregnancy or 60 days postpartum; Medicaid claims

Diagnosis of depression/anxiety/stress reaction

Any mental health related emergency/inpatient visitDuring pregnancy or 12 months postpartum; Hospital discharge

Based on all-listed diagnoses (i.e. primary or secondary) for depression/anxiety/stress reaction

Well-child visits15 months; Medicaid claims

Proportion of recommended well-child visits

Lead screening15 months; Medicaid claims

Child receives at least one lead screening

Received a highly or moderately effective method of contraception (6 weeks)6 weeks postpartum; Medicaid claims, hospital discharge

Received implant, IPP-LARC, LARC, or sterilization and moderately effective contraception to include path, ring, diaphragm, injectables and contraceptive pills

NICU admission of at least overnightAt birth; hospital discharge

Infant admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for at least one night

Number of injuries24 months of life; hospital discharge

Number of injuries

Number of emergency department visits24 months of life; hospital discharge

Total number of child visits to the emergency department

Child mortality24 months; Mortality records

All-cause child mortality in first 24 months of life

Received immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (6 weeks)6 weeks postpartum; Medicaid claims, hospital discharge

Received Immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception in first 6 weeks postpartum

Family planning visit (1 year)12 months postpartum; Medicaid claims, hospital discharge

Any family planning-related counseling or service

Received a highly or moderately effective method of contraception (1 year)12 months postpartum; Medicaid claims, hospital discharge

Received implant, IPP-LARC, LARC, or sterilization and moderately effective contraception to include path, ring, diaphragm, injectables and contraceptive pills

Health care encounter or mortality associated with ICD codes indicating concern for abuse or neglect24 months of life; Medicaid claims, hospital discharge, mortality records

Concern for abuse or neglect of child

Dental visit24 months; Medicaid claims and dental records

Child visits the dentist at least once in first 24 months

Family planning visit (6 weeks)6 weeks postpartum; Medicaid claims, hospital discharge

Any family planning-related counseling or service

Dental visit during pregnancyAt birth; Medicaid claims and dental records

Dental visit during pregnancy (preventive or treatment)

Prenatal screeningsAt birth; Medicaid claims

Obstetric panel (D (Rh), RBC antibody screen, CBC, urine culture, urinalysis), STI screenings (HIV, Syphilis, Hep B, Chlamydia if \<25, gonorrhea if \<25), Group B screening, Glucose screening at 24-28 weeks

Outpatient mental health visitDuring pregnancy or 60 days postpartum; Medicaid claims

Outpatient mental health visit

Health care encounter or mortality associated with ICD codes indicating major injury24 months of life; Medicaid claims, hospital discharge, mortality records

Child experiences a major injury

Measure of SNAP or TANF benefit churn24 months postpartum; South Carolina Department of Social Services data

Receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families at any time during a given year and having experienced at least one break in participation of four months or less that started and/or ended during the year

Postpartum intrauterine device insertion (1 year)12 months postpartum; Medicaid claims, hospital discharge

Postpartum intrauterine device insertion in first 12 months postpartum

Time to first take-up of highly effective contraceptive method24 months postpartum; Medicaid claims, hospital discharge

Months from discharge to first take up of highly effective contraceptive method (include implant, IPP-LARC, LARC, or sterilization)

Receipt of SNAP or WICDuring pregnancy, assessed up to 42 weeks; South Carolina Department of Social Services data and birth certificate data respectively

Any receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children during pregnancy

Number of months receiving SNAP or TANF24 months postpartum; South Carolina Department of Social Services data

Total months receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Trial Locations

Locations (9)

Carolina Health Centers NFP

🇺🇸

Greenwood, South Carolina, United States

Family Solutions of the Lowcountry NFP

🇺🇸

Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States

Nurse-Family Partnership of Greenville County

🇺🇸

Greenville, South Carolina, United States

Nurse-Family Partnership of Anderson County

🇺🇸

Anderson, South Carolina, United States

Nurse-Family Partnership of Lexington-Richland Co.

🇺🇸

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Spartanburg Regional Hospital NFP

🇺🇸

Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States

Nurse-Family Partnership of Horry County

🇺🇸

Conway, South Carolina, United States

McLeod Health NFP

🇺🇸

Florence, South Carolina, United States

NFP of Berkeley/Charleston/Dorchester Counties

🇺🇸

Charleston, South Carolina, United States

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