Skip to content

Transvaginal Ultrasound: Preterm Birth Prevention in Appalachia

Implementation of a Transvaginal Ultrasound Surveillance Program in Women With a History of Previous Preterm Birth: Disseminating Evidenced Based Practices for Reducing Preterm Birth in Appalachian Kentucky

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03833284
Enrollment
56
Registered
2019-02-06
Start date
2019-06-03
Completion date
2021-10-29
Last updated
2022-01-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Preterm Birth

Keywords

Transvaginal Ultrasound, Telemedicine

Brief summary

Preterm Birth is the number one cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide and represents an important health disparity in the United States, particularly across the state of Kentucky. The best biomarker for the prediction of preterm birth is transvaginal ultrasound (TVU). This study will attempt to identify and rectify provider and patient related barriers to TVU screening implementation.

Detailed description

Preterm birth is the number one cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide and represents an important health disparity in the United States, and especially across the state of Kentucky. The best biomarker for the prediction of preterm birth is transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) measurement of cervical length. However, several unique provider and patient related barriers for implementation of this screening limit the widespread uptake of this evidence based practice in Appalachian KY. The investigators propose to adopt a dissemination and implementation science approach using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) as the guiding framework for identification of key areas of knowledge deficits as well as attitudes, practices and perceived barriers among prenatal care providers and patients in eastern KY towards TVU cervical length screening using a mixed - methods design. This will be utilized to develop a multifaceted implementation strategy best suited for addressing and overcoming barriers identified by the target population in eastern KY. The investigators anticipate that such an implementation strategy will likely include an educational component targeting obstetric care providers and patients in addition to hands-on TVU cervical length evaluation as well as telemedicine support and surveillance. Three community based sites (Hazard, Morehead and Ashland, KY) will be recruited for implementation of this multi-component pilot program focused on community engagement and outreach targeting obstetric providers and their patients. At the end of the pilot implementation phase, acceptability of the study intervention and feasibility of implementation will be evaluated along with a preliminary assessment of effectiveness of implementation.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALParticipant Barriers to TVU Screening

Workshops tailored toward patients to increase knowledge about TVU screening guidelines and benefits.

BEHAVIORALProvider Barriers to TVU Screening

Workshops tailored toward providers to increase knowledge about TVU screening guidelines and benefits.

Sponsors

Niraj Chavan
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 49 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Participant * Female Sex * Prior history of preterm birth (for initial set of interviews), no preterm birth history required for intervention feedback * Current pregnant status

Exclusion criteria

Participant * Male Sex Inclusion Criteria: Provider * Certified as obstetric/gynecologic provider

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in attitudes towards TVU screening among patients and practitionersAt baseline and at one year.The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in attitudes towards TVU screening among patients and practitioners. This will be accomplished by conducting a qualitative interview with each participant at baseline and again at one year (after completing the CLEAR program workshop).
Potential for future TVU screening implementation based on changes in attitudes towards TVU screening among providers and participants.At baseline and at one year.The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in attitudes towards TVU screening among patients and practitioners. This will be accomplished by conducting a qualitative interview with each participant at baseline and again at one year (after completing the CLEAR program workshop). Analysis of these interviews will aid in determining feasibility of implementing a future TVU screening component in Obstetric and Gynecologic care.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of TVU scans identifying a short cervix (≤ 25 mm) in any pregnant women at each study siteThrough study completion, average of 1 year from study initiation.Records of TVU scans identifying a short cervix among the study population will be analyzed to determine the rate of short cervix issues among the population. The percentage will aid in determining the need for future TVU screening in similar populations.
Rate of preterm birth at <34 weeks gestationThrough study completion, average of 1 year from study initiationSubjects (patients) included in this study will be followed to determine rate of preterm birth at various time points.
Rates of clinical therapyThrough study completion, average of 1 year from study initiation.Defined as prescribing vaginal progesterone or performing cervical cerclage
Rate of inpatient hospitalization for preterm labor management prior to deliveryThrough study completion, average of 1 year from study initiation.Subjects (patients) included in this study will be followed to determine whether they are subjects to hospitalization prior to birthing due to complications associated with preterm labor.
Rate of preterm birth at <37 weeks gestationThrough study completion, average of 1 year from study initiationSubjects (patients) included in this study will be followed to determine rate of preterm birth at various time points.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026