Maternal and perinatal health in pregnant women in Cameroon, including pregnancy outcomes and neonatal health. The study focuses on gestational diabetes, nutritional status, and environmental exposures (e.g. alcohol, pesticides) and their potential impact on fetal development and early-life outcomes. Pregnancy and Childbirth
Conditions
Interventions
Participants are assigned to a study arm non-randomly based on the healthcare facility they attend for their prenatal care. The target allocation ratio is 4:1 (intervention to control).
Intervention
Sponsors
RSD Institute
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
Female
Age
15 Years to 49 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Participants must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Aged 15 years or older at the time of enrolment. 2. Presenting for their first antenatal care visit before 22 weeks of gestation. 3. Confirmed singleton pregnancy. 4. Resident of Yaoundé IV or Yaoundé VI, Cameroon. 5. Able and willing to provide written informed consent. 6. If aged under 18 years, parental or legal guardian consent is also required in accordance with national ethical guidelines.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Participants will be excluded if they meet any of the following: 1. Known diagnosis of a severe pre-existing chronic condition, such as: 1.1. Pre-existing diabetes mellitus 1.2. Severe renal insufficiency 1.3. Sickle cell disease 1.4. Cancer 2. Multiple pregnancy (e.g. twins, triplets). 3. Threatened miscarriage or imminent preterm labour diagnosed at the time of enrolment.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Measurement: GDM will be diagnosed using a multi-step screening and diagnostic protocol, including fasting capillary glucose testing and, if indicated, a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Diagnosis follows WHO criteria. Outcome: The primary outcome is the proportion of women diagnosed with GDM, compared between those who receive digital reinforcement via WhatsApp/SMS and those who receive only in-person education. Timepoint: Screening is conducted primarily at Visit 2 (24–32 weeks of gestation), with additional assessments at Visit 1 (<22 weeks) and postpartum at Visit 4 (42 days after delivery). | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Maternal outcomes: 1. Gestational weight gain, measured using a digital scale at each visit, from Visit 1 (4000 g), assessed at delivery (Visit 3). 7. Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, recorded by clinical staff at delivery (Visit 3). 8. Incidence of preterm birth (<37 completed weeks of gestation), assessed at delivery (Visit 3). Behavioural and exposure-related outcomes: 9. Change in nutritional knowledge and practices, assessed using a structured questionnaire at Visit 1 and Visit 2. 10. Level of exposure to pesticides and alcohol, measured using biomarkers in maternal blood, urine, hair, and nail samples collected at Visit 1, Visit 2, and Visit 3. 11. Change in physical activity, assessed through step counts from a smartband worn by a sub-sample of participants throughout the study period. 12. Epigenetic modifications, assessed in postnatal biological samples (cord blood and placenta) collected at delivery (Visit 3); analysis planned in future secondary investigations. | — |
Countries
Cameroon
Contacts
Public ContactEugene Sobngwi
Outcome results
None listed