Maternal and child health journal
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Matern Child Health J · Sep 2017
Maternal Health Care Utilization Among Syrian Refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.
Purpose The influx of Syrian refugees into Jordan and Lebanon over the last 5 years presents an immense burden to national health systems. This study was undertaken to assess utilization of maternal health services among Syrian refugees in both countries. Description A cross-sectional survey of Syrian refugees living in urban and rural (non-camp) settings was conducted using a two-stage cluster survey design with probability proportional to size sampling in 2014-2015. ⋯ Conclusion Syrian refugees living in Jordan and Lebanon had similar levels of utilization of maternal health services, despite different health systems and humanitarian assistance provisions. As expected, a substantial proportion of households incurred out-of-pocket costs for essential maternal and newborn health services, making cost a major factor in care-seeking decisions and locations. As health financing policies shift to account for the continued burden of refugee hosting on the health system, sustained attention to the availability and quality of essential maternal and newborn health services is needed to protect both refugee and host populations women's rights to health and health care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
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Matern Child Health J · Apr 2018
Preliminary Psychometric Testing of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised (PDPI-R) in Portuguese Women.
Introduction Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent condition with a serious impact. The early identification of women at risk for developing PPD allows for primary prevention and the delivery of timely appropriate referrals. This study investigated the validity and reliability of the postnatal version of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised (PDPI-R), an instrument widely studied internationally, in Portuguese women. ⋯ When using the EPDS > 9 cut-off score, the exploratory analyses yielded a sensitivity of 76.8% and a specificity of 73.0% with a cut-off score of 5.5 [area under the curve = 0.816]. Discussion These preliminary findings encourage the use of the postnatal version of the PDPI-R as a screening tool to identify Portuguese women at high risk for developing PPD. Subsequent assessments are needed to support the routine application of the PDPI-R both in research and for clinical purposes.
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Matern Child Health J · Aug 2018
Association Between Obstetric Provider's Advice and Gestational Weight Gain.
Objective This study examined associations between pregnant women's report of obstetric provider GWG advice, self-reported adherence to such advice, and GWG. Methods Healthy pregnant women (N = 91) who started obstetric care prior to 17 weeks of gestation completed assessments between 30 and 34 weeks of gestation. These included survey (questions on receipt of and adherence to provider GWG advice, and demographics) and anthropometric measures. ⋯ Conclusions Frequency of GWG advice from obstetric providers is less than optimal. When given and followed, provider advice may reduce the risk of excessive GWG. Research to understand factors that facilitate providers GWG advice giving and women's adherence to providers' advice, and to develop interventions to optimize both, is needed.
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Matern Child Health J · Dec 2018
Enhancing Healthier Birth Outcomes by Creating Supportive Spaces for Pregnant African American Women Living in Milwaukee.
Objectives Nationwide, African American women report higher stress levels and less access to pre- and postnatal resources. Wisconsin mirrors national infant mortality trends that show a persistent four-decade gap in infant survival between African American and White populations. The objective of the Milwaukee Birthing Project (MBP) was to implement a community-based health promotion intervention to improve birth outcomes for pregnant, low-income African American women, evaluate its effectiveness, and document its usefulness to inform development of future interventions. ⋯ Based on our analysis, we classify these spaces as: (1) community spaces lacking support, (2) safe spaces of belonging and understanding, (3) spaces that foster meaningful interaction, and (4) safe, supportive spaces for other women in the future. Conclusions for Practice Future interventions should consider intentionally developing safe spaces to attain health goals. From a postcolonial feminist perspective, the voices of women who are at greatest risk for experiencing poor birth outcomes are crucial to the development of effective policies.
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Matern Child Health J · Feb 2017
The Relationship of Adverse Childhood Events to Smoking, Overweight, Obesity and Binge Drinking Among Women in Hawaii.
To evaluate how the associations of adverse childhood events (ACEs) with smoking, overweight, obesity and binge drinking differ by race/ethnicity among women, including a large, understudied cohort of Asians and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NHOPIs). ⋯ Preventing/addressing ACEs may help optimize childhood health, and reduce the likelihood of smoking/obesity among women including Asians/NHOPIs. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the sexual abuse-binge drinking association among Asians, which may support the need for culturally-tailored programs to address ACEs.