Introduction
The landscape of perinatal care is continuously evolving, driven by an increasing understanding of the social determinants of health (SDoH) and their profound impact on maternal and infant outcomes. The systematic review titled "Interventions Addressing Social Needs in Perinatal Care: A Systematic Review" by Reyes et al. (2021) provides a comprehensive analysis of clinic-based interventions aimed at addressing social needs during perinatal care. This blog explores the key findings of the review and how practitioners can leverage these insights to enhance their clinical practice.
Key Findings from the Systematic Review
The review identified 31 publications describing 26 unique studies, focusing primarily on interventions addressing intimate partner violence (IPV), social support, food insecurity, and housing. The interventions varied widely, from simple screenings to comprehensive counseling and ongoing support services.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
IPV was the most frequently addressed social need, with 19 interventions focusing on this issue. The review found that interventions incorporating counseling or ongoing support were more effective in reducing IPV recurrence and severity compared to those that relied solely on screening. This highlights the importance of embedding continuous support within clinical settings to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Other Social Needs
While fewer in number, interventions addressing other social needs such as food insecurity and social support also showed promise. For instance, nutritional counseling combined with access to local farmer's markets improved dietary behaviors and infant development outcomes. However, the evidence base for these interventions remains limited, underscoring the need for further research.
Implications for Practitioners
Practitioners can draw several actionable insights from this review:
- Integrate Counseling and Support: Incorporating counseling and ongoing support services into perinatal care can significantly improve outcomes for IPV and other social needs. Practitioners should consider establishing partnerships with community organizations to provide comprehensive support.
- Screening as a Starting Point: While screening alone may not reduce IPV rates, it is a critical first step in identifying at-risk individuals. Practitioners should use screening tools as part of a broader intervention strategy that includes follow-up support.
- Expand Research Efforts: The review highlights a paucity of research on interventions for social needs beyond IPV. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this growing field by conducting rigorous studies and sharing their findings.
Conclusion
This systematic review underscores the potential of integrated interventions in addressing social needs within perinatal care settings. By adopting a holistic approach that combines screening, counseling, and ongoing support, practitioners can help mitigate social risk factors and improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women. For those interested in delving deeper into the original research, the paper can be accessed here.
