PURPOSE: Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based strategy to modify health behaviors, including some risk factors for adverse birth outcomes. Black women, who have disproportionately high rates of adverse birth outcomes, have reported mixed preferences on MI. This study explored the acceptability of MI among Black women who are at high risk for adverse birth outcomes.

METHODS: We conducted qualitative interviews with women with a history of preterm birth. Participants were English-language proficient and had Medicaid-insured infants. We purposively oversampled women whose infants had medical complexity. Interviews explored experiences with health care and health behaviors after birth. The interview guide was iteratively developed to obtain specific reactions to MI by including videos demonstrating MI-consistent and MI-inconsistent counseling. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded following an integrated approach in which we applied codes related to MI and allowed themes to emerge from the data.

RESULTS: We interviewed 30 non-Hispanic Black women from October 2018 to July 2021. Eleven viewed the videos. Participants emphasized the importance of autonomy in decision-making and health behavior. Participants expressed a preference for MI-consistent clinical approaches, including autonomy support and building rapport, considering them respectful, nonjudgmental, and likely to support change.

CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of Black women with a history of preterm birth, participants valued an MI-consistent clinical approach. Incorporating MI into clinical care may improve the experience of health care among Black women, thus serving as one strategy to promote equity in birth outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Promoting interconception health can improve birth outcomes and long-term women's health. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based behavior change strategy that can address interconception health behaviors and health care engagement.

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review assessed the evidence for using MI to promote interconception health and assessed features of successful MI interventions.

METHODS: We searched PubMed, CHINAL, and Cochrane databases for clinical trials that involved an MI intervention and at least one comparison group published by 8/31/2021. Interventions occurred during pregnancy or within three months postpartum and outcomes were measured between birth and one year postpartum. We abstracted data on trial characteristics including outcome, population, interventionist training, MI fidelity monitoring, intervention dose, and comparison condition. We examined whether trials that demonstrated statistically significant improvement in outcomes had common features.

RESULTS: There were 37 included studies. Interventions addressed breastfeeding, teen contraception, tobacco, alcohol, or substance use, vaccine acceptance, nutrition, physical activity, and depression. No trials addressed more than one topic. Nineteen studies demonstrated improved outcomes. Interventions during the perinatal or postnatal periods were more likely to demonstrate improved interconception outcomes than interventions in the prenatal period. No other trial characteristics were consistently associated with demonstrating improved outcomes.

DISCUSSION: MI has been applied to a variety of interconception health behaviors, with some promising results, particularly for interventions in the perinatal or postpartum period. Outcomes were not clearly attributable to any other differences in intervention or study design. Further exploring context or implementation may help maximize the potential of MI in interconception health promotion.

PRACTICAL VALUE: MI may be implemented across a range of clinical settings, patient groups, and time points around pregnancy. Interventions on health topics relevant to the interconception period should incorporate perinatal or postpartum components.

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: </strong>Primary care remains an underused venue for prevention and management of paediatric overweight and obesity. A prior trial demonstrated a significant impact of paediatrician/nurse practitioner (Ped/NP)-and registered dietitian (RD)-delivered motivational interviewing (MI) on child body mass index (BMI). The study described here will test the effectiveness of an enhanced version of this primary care-based MI counselling intervention on child BMI.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS AND ANALYSIS: </strong>This cluster randomised effectiveness trial includes 24 Ped/NPs from 18 paediatric primary care practices that belong to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) national Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) practice-based research network. To date, practices have been randomised (nine to intervention and nine to usual care). Intervention Ped/NPs have been trained in MI, behavioural therapy, billing/coding for weight management and study procedures. Usual care Ped/NPs received training in billing/coding and study procedures only. Children 3- 11 years old with BMI the 85th percentile were identified via electronic health records (EHRs). Parents from intervention practices have been recruited and enrolled. Over about 2 years, these parents are offered approximately 10 MI-based counselling sessions (about four in person sessions with their child's Ped/NP and up to six telephonic sessions with a trained RD). The primary outcome is change in child BMI (defined as per cent from median BMI for age and sex) over the study period. The primary comparison is between eligible children in intervention practices whose parents enrol in the study and all eligible children in usual care practices. Data sources will include EHRs, billing records, surveys and counselling call notes.</p>

<p><strong>ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: </strong>Institutional Review Board approval was obtained from the AAP. All Ped/NPs provided written informed consent, and intervention group parents provided consent and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorisation. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and appropriate AAP channels.</p>

<p><strong>TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: </strong>NCT03177148; Pre-results.</p>