title: Efficacy of a prospective community-based intervention to prevent preterm birth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a community-based intervention trial for the prevention of preterm birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  This trial was conducted on pregnant women in the Amakusa area, and in the Hitoyoshi-Kuma area, both in Japan. Prophylactic oral antibiotics were recommended for pregnant women with high-risk on preterm birth. The subjects were also encouraged to undergo a periodontal examination. An explanation of proper tooth brushing was given and full mouth scaling was allowed if deemed necessary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 720 consented subjects in the Amakusa area and of 373 in the Hitoyoshi-Kuma area, bacterial vaginosis was found in 100 (13.9%) Amakusa residents and 71 (19.0%) Hitoyoshi-Kuma residents. Prophylactic antibiotics were prescribed for 93 Amakusa residents and 39 Hitoyoshi-Kuma residents. Among subjects who underwent a periodontal examination, periodontal disease was found in 47.7% of Amakusa residents and 59.7% of Hitoyoshi-Kuma residents. Periodontal health was improved among these women by a nonsurgical intervention during their pregnancy. Comparing the incidences of very low birth weight (VLBW) with the averages during the preceding 6 years in each area, the incidences of VLBW was 46.4% lower in Amakusa and 69.7% Hitoyoshi-Kuma during the study year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A community-based multifaceted intervention might reduce the incidence of VLBW infants.
authors.forename: Junya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miyoshi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohba
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohkuma
authors.forename: Takahiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Katoh
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tanoue
authors.forename: Hidetaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Katabuchi
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents