The emotional experience of mothers of children with haemophilia: maternal guilt, effective coping strategies and resilience within the haemophilia community.

INTRODUCTION: Mothers of children with haemophilia (CWH) experience guilt related to this genetic condition. Several factors contributing to maternal guilt have been identified, but the scope and extent of guilt have not previously been quantified. AIM: This study provides insight into the experience of mothers of CWH and how they perceive and manage guilt. It then identifies the most common and helpful coping mechanisms. METHODS: Between May and October 2021, we distributed an anonymous electronic survey to mothers of CWH. The Parent Experience of Child Illness measured maternal guilt, the PROMIS Parent Proxy for Life Satisfaction measured perception of their child's life satisfaction and additional questions explored specific guilt factors and coping strategies. RESULTS: Eighty-seven mothers responded to the survey. Forty percent of mothers experienced increased guilt. The most common reasons for guilt included putting their child through pain during infusions and passing on the affected X chromosome. Perceived life satisfaction, increased age and genetic counselling were associated with less guilt. The most common coping strategies involved utilizing social support, self-education and connecting with other mothers in the community. CONCLUSION: Some mothers experienced increased feelings of guilt, illustrating the need for providers to tactfully provide anticipatory guidance and counselling. Tangible manifestations of haemophilia were more likely to trigger feelings of guilt than familial factors. Community immersion was beneficial, as other mothers in the community served as a source of social and educational support. Most mothers did not report guilt, illustrating the adaptability and resilience of the haemophilia community.

Community health workers' knowledge and practice in relation to pre-eclampsia in Ogun State, Nigeria: an essential bridge to maternal survival.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early detection and treatment have been instrumental in reducing case fatality in high-income countries. To achieve this in a low-income country, like Nigeria, community health workers who man primary health centres must have adequate knowledge and skills to identify and provide emergency care for women with pre-eclampsia. This study aimed to determine community health workers' knowledge and practice in the identification and treatment of pre-eclampsia, as they are essential providers of maternal care services in Nigeria. METHODS: This study was part of a multi-country evaluation of community treatment of pre-eclampsia. Qualitative data were obtained from four Local Government Areas of Ogun State, in south western Nigeria by focus group discussions (N = 15) and in-depth interviews (N = 19). Participants included a variety of community-based health care providers - traditional birth attendants, community health extension workers, nurses and midwives, chief nursing officers, medical officers - and health administrators. Data were transcribed and validated with field notes and analysed with NVivo 10.0. RESULTS: Community-based health care providers proved to be aware that pre-eclampsia was due to the development of hypertension and proteinuria in pregnant women. They had a good understanding of the features of the condition and were capable of identifying women at risk, initiating care, and referring women with this condition. However, some were not comfortable managing the condition because of the limitation in their 'Standing Order'; these guidelines do not explicitly authorize community health extension workers to treat pre-eclampsia in the community. CONCLUSION: Community-based health care providers were capable of identifying and initiating appropriate care for women with pre-eclampsia. These competencies combined with training and equipment availability could improve maternal health in the rural areas. There is a need for regular training and retraining to enable successful task-sharing with these cadres. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01911494 .

Perception and Attitudes of Korean Obstetricians about Maternal Influenza Vaccination.

Pregnant women are prioritized to receive influenza vaccination. However, the maternal influenza vaccination rate has been low in Korea. To identify potential barriers for the vaccination of pregnant women against influenza, a survey using a questionnaire on the perceptions and attitudes about maternal influenza vaccination was applied to Korean obstetricians between May and August of 2014. A total of 473 respondents participated in the survey. Most respondents (94.8%, 442/466) recognized that influenza vaccination was required for pregnant women. In addition, 92.8% (410/442) respondents knew that the incidence of adverse events following influenza vaccination is not different between pregnant and non-pregnant women. However, 26.5% (124/468) obstetricians strongly recommended influenza vaccination to pregnant women. The concern about adverse events following influenza vaccination was considered as a major barrier for the promotion of maternal influenza vaccination by healthcare providers. Providing professional information and education about maternal influenza vaccination will enhance the perception of obstetricians about influenza vaccination to pregnant women and will be helpful to improve maternal influenza vaccination coverage in Korea.

Estimation of changes in maternal mortality in a rural district of northern Tanzania during the last 50 years.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal mortality remains a major challenge worldwide. Reliable information concerning ratios and trends is essential for resource mobilization and assessment of progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. DESIGN: Assessment of levels and trends in maternal mortality during the last 50 years. SETTING: Sengerema district, rural North Tanzania. POPULATION: Number of deliveries, births, admissions, maternal deaths and causes of maternal mortality in the only hospital in the area. METHODS: We compiled a database from the annual hospital reports for the period of 1962-2011 to obtain estimated maternal mortality ratio for each decade. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal mortality ratio for each decade and classification of maternal deaths. RESULTS: Of 629 maternal deaths, 490 (77.9%) could be classified as either direct or indirect and causes of mortality ascertained. Of the 361 direct causes (73.7%), hemorrhage (29.8%) and sepsis (20.4%) were the leading causes. Of the 129 indirect causes (26.3%), anemia during pregnancy (6.5%), meningitis (4.1%), HIV-AIDS (3.5%), malaria (2.9%), heart diseases (2.4%) and relapsing fever (2.0%) were most often diagnosed. Since 1962, a 63% decrease in maternal mortality ratio has been achieved. The hospital-based maternal mortality ratio decreased from 770/100,000 to 282/100,000 in the last decade (95% confidence interval 244/100,000, 320/100,000). The yearly decline since 1962 was 1.3%. CONCLUSIONS: During the last 50 years we have witnessed a reduction of maternal mortality and improvements in maternal health. Progress has been made towards improving Millennium Development Goal 5, although only a prospective population-based survey will provide the ultimate answer.

Postpartum social support of women in Singapore: A pilot study.

This pilot study aimed to identify the levels of support expected and received by postpartum women in Singapore. Another objective was to compare the different subdomains of social support. A descriptive design was adopted using a self-administered questionnaire comprising demographics and the Postpartum Support Questionnaire. The study took place at a subsidized obstetrics and gynaecology clinic at a restructured hospital in Singapore from the end of December 2009 to the end of February 2010. The 25 participants were 6 to 8 weeks postpartum and had delivered healthy term infants. They were recruited via convenience sampling. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The overall support needs of the participants were met. Only their informational support needs were unmet. Assessing the needs of postpartum women and teaching them how to convey and manage expectations are recommended initiatives for health-care practitioners to consider.

Characteristics and prenatal care utilisation of Romanian pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the degree to which Romanian women access free prenatal care services, and to describe the demographic profile of women who are at risk for underutilisation. METHODS: Secondary data (n = 914) were taken from a large, nationally representative sample of Romanian mothers and children (N = 2117). Kotelchuck's Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilisation Index was used to measure the adequacy of prenatal care. RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of mothers underutilised prenatal care services. Those who did so to the greatest degree were likely to be young, members of an ethnic minority, poor, uneducated, and rural. Conversely, those who utilised care to the greatest degree were likely to be older, members of the ethnic majority, wealthy, educated, and city dwelling. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that many of the risk factors for underutilisation in this sample were similar to those found elsewhere in Europe and the developed world, these findings illustrate the worrisome magnitude of the problem in Romania, particularly among women with low levels of income and educational attainment. Future studies should examine factors that contribute to underutilisation, whether it corresponds to negative health outcomes, and whether targeted social interventions and outreach could help improve care.

Maternal mortality and its correlates: practical implications of data analysis across multiple countries.

OBJECTIVE: Studies of maternal mortality that use data from multiple countries often identify statistically significant correlates and interpret them as factors relevant to policy. This study was designed to address the fragility of a statistical association between the maternal mortality rate and its main correlates, and to assess the relevance of multi-country data analysis for policy making. METHODS: Patterns of variation in the maternal mortality rate associated with the fertility rate, income per capita, primary and secondary school enrollment, institutional quality, women's participation in politics, and health systems indicators across 111 countries in 2000 and 128 countries in 2005 were investigated using a linear multilevel modelling approach. RESULTS: The fertility rate and income per capita were the only robust predictors of the maternal mortality rate. Health systems indicators and school enrollment, after controlling for the effect of the fertility rate, income per capita, and region-specific contextual factors, were found to be unstable direct predictors of the maternal mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Although multi-country comparative studies can identify key correlates of the maternal mortality rate, policy recommendations to reduce maternal mortality should be based on causal models that take contextual factors into account.

Objectif : Les études portant sur la mortalité maternelle qui utilisent des données issues de multiples pays en viennent souvent à repérer des corrélats significatifs sur le plan statistique et à les interpréter comme étant des facteurs pertinents en matière de politique. Cette étude a été conçue pour traiter de la fragilité d'une association statistique entre le taux de mortalité maternelle et ses principaux corrélats, ainsi que pour évaluer la pertinence de l'analyse de données issues de multiples pays à des fins d'élaboration de politiques. Méthodes : Les tendances de la variation du taux de mortalité maternelle associées au taux de fertilité, au revenu par habitant, à l'inscription aux écoles primaires et secondaires, à la qualité institutionnelle, à la participation des femmes à la politique et aux indicateurs des systèmes de santé dans 111 pays en 2000 et dans 128 pays en 2005 ont été explorées au moyen d'une approche de modélisation linéaire à niveaux multiples. Résultats : Le taux de fertilité et le revenu par habitant ont été les seuls facteurs prédictifs robustes du taux de mortalité maternelle. À la suite de la neutralisation des effets du taux de fertilité, du revenu par habitant et des facteurs contextuels propres à chacune des régions, nous avons constaté que les indicateurs des systèmes de santé et l'inscription scolaire étaient des facteurs prédictifs directs instables du taux de mortalité maternelle. Conclusion : Bien que les études comparatives multipays puissent identifier des corrélats clés en ce qui concerne le taux de mortalité maternelle, les recommandations en matière de politique visant la réduction de ce taux devraient être fondées sur des modèles causaux qui tiennent compte des facteurs contextuels.

Perceived facilitating and hindering factors to exclusive breastfeeding among Latin American immigrant women living in Colmenar Viejo (Community of Madrid, Spain).

The way in which an infant is breastfed by a migrant woman reflects her bio-psycho-social circumstances and her process of cultural transformation and adaptation to the host country. Exploring facilitating and hindering factors to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of immigrant mothers in Spain is essential for the development of guidelines that protect EBF. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the factors perceived as facilitating or hindering EBF during the first six months of the baby's life by Latin American women living in Colmenar Viejo, a city in the Community of Madrid (Spain). We carried out in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews between December 2018 and February 2019 with 11 Latin American mothers who were recruited through key informants and snowball sampling. We audio-recorded the interviews, transcribed them, and performed content analysis to examine the data. EBF was facilitated by the mother and her family having information about its benefits, lower economic expenses, family and healthcare system support, certain popular and spiritual beliefs, and the mother's acculturation process in Spanish society. The hindering factors identified were the perception of EBF as a sacrifice, incompatible with working life, with unsightly and painful consequences for the mother, insufficient to nourish the baby and ineffective after some months, poorly supported by the broader social environment and the healthcare system. EBF was restricted by certain popular beliefs, associated with a stigma if abandoned, and linked to less economically favored social classes. Some of these hindering or facilitating factors are similar to those present in the original Latin American society or the receiving Spanish society. EBF is a complex process, with satisfactory and suffering stages, regulated by beliefs and experiences. EBF must be promoted intersectorally by governmental, health and societal actors considering the biological, psychological, social, and cultural characteristics of the mother and her community.

Preventive Care Utilization among Rural versus Urban Women 12 Months Prior to Pregnancy.

Introduction: Pregnancy-related mortality in the United States occurs in 32.3 per 100,000 live births. Rural maternal mortality rates were even higher, and these patients were less likely to receive routine care. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare primary and prenatal care and health behaviors among perinatal mothers living in rural and urban Kansas. Methods: Data were collected from 1,971 pregnant women who participated in Phase 8 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for Kansas between 2016 and 2018. Respondent location (urban or rural based on NIH classification) was abstracted from birth certificates and frequencies of healthcare visits and secondary healthcare variables were compared. Results: Most respondents (75.1%, n = 1,481) resided in an urban area. Most (84.4%, n = 1,664) women were Caucasian, and the largest category (31.1%, n = 613) was 25 to 29 years old. More urban women reported visiting an obstetrician/gynecologist within 12 months before pregnancy than rural women (p < 0.0001). Urban women reported attending pre-pregnancy dental visits (p = 0.019) and teeth cleanings (p = 0.004) more than rural women. Of the 35.7% of respondents (n = 516) who reported receiving pre-pregnancy counseling on folic acid, prenatal vitamins, or multivitamins, 78.9% (n = 407) resided in an urban area. Conclusions: Rural women reported fewer routine primary and prenatal care behaviors compared to their urban counterparts. Efforts are needed to improve access to obstetrician/gynecologist services, especially for women in rural areas.

Intrapartum respectful maternity care practices and its barriers in Eastern India.

Background: Respectful maternal care (RMC) is increasingly recognized globally as critical to improving the quality of maternity care as women deserve respectful and dignified care. Numerous women face disrespectful maternal care during labor and delivery, especially in low- and middle-income countries, which dissuades them from seeking institutional care. Women, the consumers of care, are better positioned to report on the level of respectful care they receive. Health care workers' perspectives on barriers to delivering respective maternity care are seldom explored. Thus, this study aims to assess the levels of respectful maternity care and its barriers. Methods: This cross-sectional study assesses the level of RMC and its barriers in the labor room of tertiary care hospital in Odisha among 246 women selected by consecutive sampling technique by a questionnaire. Results: More than one-third of women reported good RMC. Although women rated high in domains of environment, resources, dignified care, and non-discrimination, non-consented care and non-confidential care were poorly rated. Barriers that adversely affect the delivery of RMC perceived by health care workers were lack of resources, staffing, uncooperative mother, communication issues, privacy issues, lack of policies, workload, and language problems. There was a significant association of RMC with age, education, occupation, and income. In contrast, residence, marital status, number of children, antenatal visit, type of institute of antenatal care, mode of delivery, and gender of health care provider were not associated with RMC. Conclusion: Given the above findings, we recommend vigorous efforts to improve the institutional policies, resources, training, and supervision of health care professionals on women's rights during childbirth to strengthen the quality of care for positive birth experiences.

Body Appreciation, Depressive Symptoms, and Self-Esteem in Pregnant and Postpartum Brazilian Women.

Background: During pregnancy and the postpartum period, women experience tremendous biopsychosocial changes in a short period of time. Poor body appreciation, depressive symptoms, and low self-esteem during the perinatal period may cause negative consequences for both the mother and the infant's physiological and psychological health. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in body appreciation, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem between the three gestational trimesters and the postpartum period. Methods: Participants (N = 1,423 pregnant and postpartum Brazilian women), aged between 18 and 42 years old (M = 29.22; SD = ±5.72), answered questionnaires on body appreciation, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem. BMI was self-reported. Descriptive and nonparametric covariance analysis were performed, comparing women who were in the first, second, and third trimesters and the postpartum period. Results: Body appreciation was significantly higher among women in the third trimester compared to those in the first and second trimester. However, it was lower for women in all three gestational trimesters than for those in the postpartum. There was no difference in self-esteem during pregnancy, but it was significantly lower in the postpartum group. Similarly, depressive symptoms did not vary through pregnant groups but it was significantly higher in the postpartum group. Conclusions: The results showed that the postpartum period can be a difficult experience for women. They presented poor body appreciation and lower self-esteem and higher depressive symptoms compared to the pregnancy period. Therefore, it is necessary for public health policies to support women in this period, preserving their mental health and making this experience more positive.

Trends in maternal body mass index in Northern Ireland: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: Explore (1) associations between maternal body mass index (BMI), demographic and clinical characteristics, (2) longitudinal trends in BMI, (3) geographical distributions in prevalence of maternal overweight and obesity. DESIGN: Retrospective population-based study. SETTING: Linked, anonymised, routinely collected healthcare data and official statistics from Northern Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: All pregnancies in Northern Ireland (2011-2017) with BMI measured at ≤16 weeks gestation. METHODS: Analysis of variance and χ2 tests were used to explore associations. Multiple linear regression was used to explore longitudinal trends and spatial visualisation illustrated geographical distribution. Main outcomes are prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). RESULTS: 152 961 singleton and 2362 multiple pregnancies were included. A high prevalence of maternal overweight and obesity in Northern Ireland is apparent (singleton: 52.4%; multiple: 48.3%) and is increasing. Obesity was positively associated with older age, larger numbers of previous pregnancies and unplanned pregnancy (p<0.001). BMI category was also positively associated with unemployment (35% in obese class III vs 22% in normal BMI category) (p<0.001). Higher BMI categories were associated with increased rate of comorbidities, including hypertension (normal BMI: 1.8% vs obese III: 12.4%), diabetes mellitus (normal BMI: 0.04% vs obese III: 1.29%) and mental ill-health (normal BMI: 5.0% vs obese III: 11.8%) (p<0.001). Prevalence of maternal obesity varied with deprivation (most deprived: 22.8% vs least deprived: 15.7%) (p<0.001). Low BMI was associated with age <20 years, nulliparity, unemployment and mental ill-health (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of maternal BMI >25 kg/m2 is increasing over time in Northern Ireland. Women are entering pregnancy with additional comorbidities likely to impact their life course beyond pregnancy. This highlights the need for prioritisation of preconception and inter-pregnancy support for management of weight and chronic conditions.

Experiences of sharing, learning and caring: Peer support in a Finnish group of mothers.

Mothers' peer groups constitute a form of communal support that affords potential benefits but has received little attention in Finland. At present, only a few studies have investigated the support provided by peer groups of mothers. This article explores mothers' experiences of peer support in a Finnish peer group. First, the data gathered in 2015 comprise data from thematic interviews with 23 mothers participating in peer group activities. Second, the data include written notes gathered during participant observation in the group's 12 meetings, two outings and summer camp. The data were analysed by utilising a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach, and three themes representing mothers' experiences were identified: (a) sharing of experiences, (b) learning from experiences and (c) experiences of mutual caring. By exploring relationships among these themes, this study found that the sharing of experiences is a starting point for learning and caring among mothers. These findings suggest that the sharing of experiences is a crucial part of peer support because it results in learning and caring. Versatile support can be enabled by strengthening the preconditions for sharing.

Vivência e expectativas de doulas em região brasileira de fronteira / Experience and expectations of doulas in a Brazilian border region

RESUMO O estudo buscou compreender a vivência e as expectativas das doulas que atuam ou atuaram em dois municípios de região de fronteira: Foz do Iguaçu e Cascavel, Paraná, Brasil. Tratou-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa pautada no referencial da Fenomenologia Social. A coleta das informações deu-se por entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado em língua portuguesa. As entrevistas foram feitas on-line. Os resultados foram classificados em seis categorias: motivação para tornar-se doula, conhecimento sobre o papel da doula, o cotidiano das doulas, abarcando as subcategorias de experiências exitosas e desafios da atividade na região de fronteira, a invisibilidade da doulagem, as expectativas enquanto doulas frente ao cenário obstétrico e o esperado da sua atuação profissional. O estudo permitiu compreender a vivência das doulas e o conhecimento do papel da sua função no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), no setor privado e em partos domiciliares, evidenciando a importância da atuação multiprofissional. Foram ponderadas resistências no cenário obstétrico por desconhecimento dos profissionais da assistência sobre o papel da doula. Em relação à atuação na região de fronteira, as doulas relataram o acompanhamento de mulheres paraguaias no Brasil e, com menos frequência, no Paraguai. As barreiras culturais e linguísticas foram destacadas como obstáculos para o exercício profissional em outro país.

ABSTRACT The study sought to understand the experience and expectations of doulas who worked or worked in two municipalities in the border region: Foz do Iguaçu and Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil. This was a qualitative research based on the framework of Social Phenomenology. The collection of information took place through interviews with a semi-structured script in Portuguese. The interviews were done online. The results were classified into six categories: motivated to become a doula, knowledge about the role of the doula, the daily life of the doulas, covering the subcategories of successful experiences and challenges of the activity in the border region, the invisibility of the doula, the expectations as doulas facing the obstetric scenario and what is expected of their professional performance. The study made it possible to understand the experience of doulas and knowledge of the role of their role in the Unified Health System (SUS), in the private sector and in home births, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary action. Resistance in the obstetric scenario was considered due to the lack of knowledge on the part of care professionals about the role of the doula. Regarding work in the border region, the doulas reported accompanying Paraguayan women in Brazil and, less frequently, in Paraguay. Cultural and linguistic barriers were highlighted as reasons that make professional practice in another country unfeasible.

Giving new meaning to the impact of touch in Shantala massage: mothers' perceptions of maternal and child well-being / Reformulando el impacto del tacto en el masaje Shantala: percepciones de las madres sobre el bienestar materno infantil / Ressignificando o impacto do toque na massagem Shantala: percepções de mães sobre o bem-estar materno-infantil

ABSTRACT Objectives: to understand maternal perceptions of maternal and child well-being based on Shantala massage and discuss its association with the third Sustainable Development Goal. Methods: a descriptive-exploratory study in the light of Symbolic Interactionism. Eight women, mothers of infants, participated in five online meetings to teach Shantala massage, collected in focus groups, between November and December 2021. The data was subjected to thematic content analysis and lexical analysis with IRAMUTEQ®. Results: two categories emerged, 1) Maternal perceptions of Shantala massage and its promotion of child well-being and 2) Maternal perceptions of Shantala massage and its impact on their well-being, interconnected with subcategories. Final Considerations: Shantala massage promoted mutual impacts on maternal and child well-being, working together to achieve the third Sustainable Development Goal.

RESUMEN Objetivos: comprender las percepciones maternas sobre el bienestar materno infantil a partir del masaje Shantala y discutir su asociación con el tercer Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible. Métodos: estudio descriptivo-exploratorio a la luz del Interaccionismo Simbólico. Ocho mujeres, madres de bebés, participaron en cinco encuentros online para enseñar el masaje Shantala, recopilados en grupos focales, entre noviembre y diciembre de 2021. Los datos fueron sometidos a análisis de contenido temático y análisis léxico con IRAMUTEQ®. Resultados: surgieron dos categorias, 1) Percepciones maternas sobre el masaje Shantala y su promoción del bienestar infantil y 2) Percepciones maternas sobre el masaje Shantala y el impacto en su bienestar, interconectadas con subcategorias. Consideraciones Finales: el masaje Shantala promovió impactos mutuos en el bienestar materno infantil, trabajando juntos para alcanzar el tercer Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible.

RESUMO Objetivos: compreender as percepções maternas sobre o bem-estar materno-infantil a partir da realização da massagem Shantala e discutir sua associação com o terceiro Objetivo do Desenvolvimento Sustentável. Métodos: estudo descritivo-exploratório à luz do Interacionismo Simbólico. Contou-se com oito mulheres, mães de lactentes, que participaram de cinco encontros online para o ensino da massagem Shantala, com coleta em grupos focais, entre novembro e dezembro de 2021. Os dados foram submetidos à análise temática de conteúdo e à análise lexical com o IRAMUTEQ®. Resultados: emergiram duas categorias, 1) Percepções maternas da massagem Shantala e sua promoção para o bem-estar infantil e 2) Percepções maternas da massagem Shantala e o impacto no seu bem-estar, interligadas com subcategorias. Considerações Finais: a massagem Shantala promoveu impactos mútuos no bem-estar materno infantil, articulando-se no caminhar para atingir o terceiro Objetivo do Desenvolvimento Sustentável.

Major Determinants of Maternal Near-Miss and Mortality at the Maternity Teaching Hospital, Erbil city, Iraq.

OBJECTIVES: To find out the major determinants of maternal near-miss (NM)and maternal deaths (MDs) in Erbil city, Iraq, by comparative analysis of maternal NMs and MDs. METHODS: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study in the Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil city from 1 June to 31 December 2013. All MDs and NMs that occurred in the hospital during the study period were included in the study. Systematic identification of all eligible women was done. This identification included a baseline assessment of the severe pregnancy-related complications using the World Health Organization NM criteria. RESULTS: Severe preeclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) constituted the highest proportions of complications in women with potentially life-threatening conditions (PLTCs) (30.5% and 30.0%, respectively). The highest mortality indexes were those for ruptured uterus (16.7) and severe complications of placenta previa (14.2). Factors that were significantly associated with MD (compared to NM) were hepatic dysfunction (p = 0.046), multiple/unspecified disorders (p = 0.003), arrival as an emergency condition by ambulance (p = 0.015), and history of previous cesarean section (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Severe preeclampsia and PPH are the main complications that lead to PLTCs. Factors found to be associated with MDs are hepatic dysfunction, multiple/unspecified disorders, arrival as an emergency condition by ambulance, and history of a previous cesarean section.

Postpartum Pain in the Community Among Migrant and Non-migrant Women in Canada.

International migrant women of childbearing age represent a large proportion of immigrants to high-income countries, yet research focusing on their postpartum health is limited. We investigated predictive factors for breast and non-breast pain 1 week post-birth in migrant and non-migrant women in Canada. Among migrant women, difficulty accessing health services; being from a middle-or high-income country; poor functionality in English and French; living with the father of their infant; and having no regular care provider were predictive of breast pain. Among non-migrant women, difficulties accessing health services, multiparity and prenatal education were predictive of breast pain, while receiving an epidural and having no regular care provider were predictive of non-breast pain. Among both groups, difficulties accessing health services and having no regular care provider were predictive of breast pain, while second degree or higher perineal tearing was predictive of non-breast pain. Migration-specific indicators should be considered in postpartum care planning.

At the crossroads: the health and welfare of new mothers.

BACKGROUND: Institutionalized practice is failing to keep pace with cultural change in regard to gendered expectations. After the birth of an infant there are high rates of marital breakdown, high rates of anxiety and depression, and issues related to identity. OBJECTIVES/AIMS: The aim was to gauge how a sample of Australian women were travelling through the Transition to Parenthood. METHODS/DESIGN: A qualitative study of 16 women who had their first child in 2004/2005. While using a non-probability sample, selection involved steps to promote diversity of background. RESULTS/FINDINGS: One half of the interviewees had difficulties in their relationship with husband/partner, for some this was traumatic. Most did not raise these concerns with their health nurse and spoke of a need to become 'selfless'. CONCLUSION: Early years health services need to be reviewed so as respond to issues raised by the TtoP, and include a focus on the social and cultural context of birth.

Factors associated with anemia in children under three years of age in Perú: analysis of the Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar, ENDES, 2007-2013.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the reduction of poverty in Perú, the prevalence of anemia in the country remains high.  OBJECTIVE: To identify socio-demographic, child and maternal-child care factors associated with anemia in children between 6 and 35 months in Perú.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an analytical and descriptive study that included registered data from the national survey on demography and family health, 2007-2013, on children between 6 and 35 months old, including the measurement of blood hemoglobin. Anemia was confirmed by hemoglobin-altitude corrected values below 11 mg/dl. We used multivariate logistic regression models to assess potential associated factors for anemia.  RESULTS: Anemia prevalence was high (47.9%). Twelve factors were independently associated with anemia in children: Socio-demographic factors such as living outside Lima and Callao, in a low socioeconomic household, and having an adolescent mother with low education level; child-related factors as being male, younger than 24 months of age, and having fever in the previous two weeks, and maternal-child care factors such as lack of prenatal control in the first trimester of pregnancy, lack or short period of iron supplementation during pregnancy, house delivery, anemia detection at the moment of the survey, and lack of intestinal anti-parasite preventive treatment in the child.  CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of survey data provided valuable information about factors associated with anemia in children between 6 and 35 months, which can be used to increase the coverage and effectiveness of maternal-child care practices.