Development of a clinical practice guideline for management of pregnancy in Iranian prisons: a study protocol.

BACKGROUND

Pregnant women in prisons encounter distinct challenges due to health, nutritional, and psychological limitations, which significantly affect maternal and fetal health outcomes. Although organizations like the World Health Organization have set standards for the care of incarcerated women, many prisons struggle to implement these standards effectively. This study aims to develop a clinical practice guideline for managing pregnancy in Iranian prisons, improving health outcomes for incarcerated women.

METHODS

This study will develop a clinical guideline for managing pregnancy in Iranian prisons, using the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development. A multidisciplinary Guideline Development Group will be formed, comprising health professionals, prison staff, and legal advisors. Critical issues in pregnancy management within prisons will be identified and prioritized. A systematic review of existing literature will be conducted to gather scientific evidence, which will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Practical recommendations will be formulated based on the gathered evidence. A draft of the recommendations will be presented to stakeholders for feedback, and the recommendations will be refined based on the feedback received.

STATUS: This study is currently ongoing.

CONCLUSION

This study aspires to create a practical guideline that will improve the care and management of pregnant women in prisons, effectively addressing the unique challenges they face and enhancing incarcerated pregnant women's maternal and fetal health outcomes.