Mothers' Access to Social and Health Care Systems Support during Their Infants' First Year during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Feminist Poststructural Study.

Social support and health services are crucial for mothers and families during their infants' first year. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of self-isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic on mothers' access to social and health care systems support during their infants' first year. We utilized a qualitative design using feminist poststructuralism and discourse analysis. Self-identifying mothers (n = 68) of infants aged 0 to 12 months during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nova Scotia, Canada completed an online qualitative survey. We identified three themes: (1) COVID-19 and the Social Construction of Isolation, (2) Feeling Forgotten and Dumped: Perpetuating the Invisibility of Mothering, and (3) Navigating and Negotiating Conflicting Information. Participants emphasized a need for support and the associated lack of support resulting from mandatory isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. They did not see remote communication as equivalent to in-person connection. Participants described the need to navigate alone without adequate access to in-person postpartum and infant services. Participants identified conflicting information related to COVID-19 as a challenge. Social interactions and interactions with health care providers are crucial to the health and experiences of mothers and their infants during the first year after birth and must be sustained during times of isolation.

Mental Health & Parental Concerns during COVID-19: The Experiences of New Mothers Amidst Social Isolation.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation for new parents, with public health orders greatly affecting daily life as well as various aspects of parenting and new parent wellbeing. OBJECTIVES: To understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mothers/parents across Nova Scotia who are caring for a child 0-12 months of age. DESIGN: This study utilized an online qualitative survey to collect data. Feminist poststructuralism and discourse analysis guided the analysis and discussion. SETTING: Nova Scotia, Canada PARTICIPANTS: : 68 participants were recruited from across the province of Nova Scotia. FINDINGS: Mental health and socialization were both major concerns for new mothers/parents, as many expressed feelings of worry, anxiety, loneliness, isolation, and stress. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Online support was sought by many new mothers/parents as a way of supporting their own mental health. Some found ways to make it meaningful for them, while others believed that it could not replace or offer the same benefits as in-person interaction and support. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Informal and formal support systems are both essential for new mothers. As public health systems and health care services learn to adapt to COVID-19, further research is required to examine how health services may best meet the needs of new mothers/parents.

Effect of the 5A Model on Clinical Status Indexes of COPD Patients.

PURPOSE: This RCT study investigates the effects of a self-management program on clinical status indexes of COPD patients. DESIGN: In this study, 50 COPD patients referred to the respiratory clinic participated. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The control group received standard care, and the intervention group received standard care plus the self-management program. Patients were assessed by spirometry, Modified Borg scale, and 6-minute walking test at the baseline and the end of 12-weeks. Paired t-test, independent t-test, and chi-square were used to analyze variables. FINDINGS: No significant difference was noted in the spirometry indexes mean in the two groups; however, significant differences were noted in dyspnea and exercise tolerance at the end. CONCLUSION/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Using the 5A model can lead to increased exercise tolerance and decreased dyspnea in COPD patients. Therefore, this self-management program is recommended as an effective way to improve their functional status.