Operationalizing 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate to Prevent Recurrent Preterm Birth: Definitions, Barriers, and Next...

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• Preterm birth affects over 500,000 neonates annually in the US.
• Previous preterm birth significantly increases recurrence risk.
• 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate is recommended for preventing recurrent spontaneous singleton preterm birth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and analyze population coverage of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate.
• To identify barriers in the care pathway for receiving this intervention.
• To propose solutions for increasing intervention coverage.

Main Methods:

• Defined population coverage as the proportion of eligible women receiving the intervention.
• Described the multi-step process for accessing 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate.
• Identified potential challenges and solutions within the care continuum.

Main Results:

• Population coverage is a key metric for public health intervention effectiveness.
• Receiving 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate requires navigating a complex series of steps.
• Barriers exist at multiple points from eligibility identification to adherence.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate coverage is crucial for reducing recurrent preterm birth.
• Addressing systemic and patient-level barriers can improve access to this therapy.
• Strategies are needed to streamline the process and enhance adherence for eligible women.