Factors Associated With Screen Time Among Preschool Children in Lima, Peru.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify factors associated with excessive screen time among preschoolers in Lima, Peru. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis from a 2019 panel study in Lima, Peru, was conducted focusing on women, aged 18 and above, who are mothers of 3- to 5-year-olds in mid-high and mid-low districts. There were two outcome variables: excessive TV and excessive electronic devices screen time, defined as ≥ 1 h of screen exposure for each one. Explored factors included the mother's age, education and wealth index and the children's age, sex, physical activity, day care attendance and ultra-processed food consumption. Crude (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were estimated for the association between associated factors and excessive screen time using the GLM Poisson of with a logarithmic link. RESULTS: Excessive TV screen time and electronic devices prevalence was 74% and 36.9%, respectively. For TV screen time, a high wealth index (aPR 1.13; 95%CI: 1.03-1.23) and children's age (aPR 1.18; 95%CI: 1.08-1.29 for 4 years, PR = 1.17; 95%CI: 1.07-1.28 for 5 years) were significant. For electronic devices, significant associations included mothers with more than 3 children (aPR 0.77; 95%CI: 0.62-0.96), being single (aPR 1.27; 95%CI: 1.01-1.58) and a high wealth index (aPR 1.38; 95%CI: 1.13-1.68). Furthermore, significant associations were found between excessive electronic device screen time and consumption of candies and chocolates (aPR 1.38; 95%CI: 1.08-1.77). CONCLUSIONS: Seven out of 10 preschool children exceeded the recommended television screen time. Certain characteristics of the children, their mothers and the family's socio-economic situation are related to excessive television screen time and excessive electronic device screen time.

Evaluating Access to Health Care in Mothers and Caregivers of Children under Five Years of Age in Rural Communities of Yucatán, Mexico.

Populations in rural communities have more limited access to health care and attention than urban populations. The present study aimed to evaluate barriers to access to health care in mothers and caregivers of children under five years of age, twelve months after an educational intervention. The study was carried out from February to September 2022, and 472 mothers from eight communities in the state of Yucatán, in the southeast of the United Mexican States, participated. A comparative analysis was carried out on help-seeking times, obstacles to reaching it, and illnesses in children. The results revealed that the main barriers to access to care were long times to decide to seek help, lack of financial resources to pay for the transfer to another health unit, lack of someone to accompany the mother or caregiver when the child needed be transferred, and lack of transportation for the transfer. Disease knowledge remained at different levels in the eight communities; the significant differences occurred in four communities, one specifically for heart defects. It was concluded that, in the rural populations studied, there are barriers to access to health care which have to do with neglected social determinants, such as those related to conditions of gender, income, social support network, and the health system. Access to health care must be universal, so public health interventions should be aimed at reducing the barriers that prevent the population from demanding and using services in a timely manner.

Racial inequalities in child vaccination and barriers to vaccination in Brazil among live births in 2017 and 2018: an analysis of a retrospective cohort of the first two years of life.

OBJECTIVE: To describe timely vaccination completion and obstacles in the first 24 months of life in Brazil, examining associations with maternal race/skin color. METHODS: Study participants were 37,801 children born in 2017 and 2018 included in the National Immunization Coverage Survey. We calculated prevalence and 95% confidence intervals for timely vaccine completeness and obstacles at 5, 12 and 24 months of life, according to maternal race/skin color. Associations were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: 7.2% (95%CI 6.3;8.2) of mothers faced difficulties in taking their children to be vaccinated, and 23.4% (95%CI 21.7;25.1) were not vaccinated when taken. These proportions were 75% (95%CI 1.25;2.45) and 97% (95%CI 1.57;2.48) higher, respectively, among Black mothers. At least one vaccination was delayed among 49.9% (95%CI 47.8;51.9) and 61.1% (95%CI 59.2;63.0) of children by 5 and 12 months, respectively. These rates were higher among Black/mixed race mothers. CONCLUSION: There are racial inequalities in both the obstacles faced and in vaccination rates in Brazil. MAIN RESULTS: Marked racial inequalities were found in the obstacles to vaccination of children under 24 months in Brazil and to timely vaccination at 5 months and in the first year of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES: Racial inequalities in the occurrence of vaccination shortcomings in health services, in the objective restrictions faced by families in taking their children to vaccination centers and in incomplete vaccination in a timely manner need to be addressed by the Brazilian National Health System. PERSPECTIVES: Equal public policies to address barriers to vaccination and qualification of health services need to be implemented. Studies need to deepen understanding of the structural determinants that lead to racial disparities.

Exploring Maternal Socio-Demographic Factors Shaping Children's Dietary Patterns in Brazil: Results from the 2019 National Health Survey.

This study aimed to identify the dietary patterns of Brazilian children aged 6-23 months and to investigate their association with maternal socio-demographic factors. Data from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey were used in this cross-sectional study. Mothers of 1616 children aged 6-23 months reported on their children's dietary intake. Dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis, and their associations with maternal socio-demographic characteristics were assessed using linear regression models. The first consisted of healthy patterns and the second, unhealthy ones. Linear regression showed that adherence to a healthy dietary pattern was higher among children of mothers who were older (ß = 0.02, p = 0.01), had more years of education (ß = 0.49, p = 0.04), reported living with a partner (ß = 0.29, p = 0.01), and resided in an urban area (ß = 0.35, p = 0.01). Conversely, adherence to the unhealthy pattern was positively associated with mothers who declared themselves as black or brown (ß = 0.25, p = 0.03). Our results show that older mothers with higher levels of education and paid work and who live with a partner are more likely to contribute to their children's healthy eating patterns. We conclude that socio-demographic factors may influence the quality of the food offered to children. Nevertheless, advocating for public policies promoting nutritious complementary diets emphasising fresh and minimally processed foods remains crucial for children whose mothers do not possess these favourable socio-demographic characteristics.

Do behavioral drivers matter for healthcare decision-making during crises? A study of low-income women in El Salvador during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Understanding health-seeking behaviors and their drivers is key for governments to manage health policies. A growing body of research explores the role of cognitive biases and heuristics in health and care-seeking behaviors, but little is known about how a context of heightened anxiety and uncertainty might influence these behavioral drivers. This study analyzes the association between four behavioral predictors-internal locus of control, impatience, optimism bias, and aspirations-and healthcare decisions among low-income women in El Salvador, controlling for other factors. We find positive associations between internal locus of control and preventive health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, a one standard deviation increase in locus of control is associated with a 10% increase in an index measuring the use of masks, distancing, hand washing, and vaccination. Locus of control was also associated with women's use of preventive health services (one standard deviation improves the likelihood of having a hypertension test in the last six months by 5.8 percentage points). In a sub-sample of mothers, we find significant relationships between the four behavioral drivers and the decisions the mothers make for their children. However, we find these associations are less robust compared to the decisions they make for themselves. Some associations were stronger during the pandemic, suggesting that feelings of uncertainty and stress could amplify behavioral drivers' influence on health-related behaviors. This novel finding is relevant for designing policy responses for future shocks. JEL CODES: I12, D10, D91, I30.

Disrupted mother-fetus dyad risk in high-risk pregnancies: a Middle-Range Theory.

OBJECTIVES: to develop and evaluate a Middle-Range Theory for the nursing diagnosis "Disrupted Mother-Fetus Dyad Risk" in high-risk pregnancies. METHODS: this methodological study was conducted in two stages: theory development and evaluation. Dorothea Orem's General Nursing Model was used as the theoretical-conceptual foundation. Evaluation was conducted using the Delphi method with seven judges, and consensus was achieved when the Content Validity Index of the evaluated items was ≥ 0.80. RESULTS: the theory identified 20 elements of the nursing diagnosis "Disrupted Mother-Fetus Dyad Risk" (10 risk factors, 4 at-risk populations, and 6 associated conditions), 14 propositions, and 1 pictogram. After two rounds of evaluation, the theory was considered consistent, with consensus reached for all items, each achieving a Content Validity Index ≥ 0.80. CONCLUSIONS: the Middle-Range Theory included biopsychosocial factors explaining the nursing phenomenon "Disrupted Mother-Fetus Dyad Risk," which aids in nurses' diagnostic reasoning.

Chilean children's adherence to sustainable healthy diets and its associations with sociodemographic and anthropometric factors: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To describe adherence to sustainable healthy diets among a sample of 958 Chilean pre-schoolers (3-6 years) and explore associations between adherence and child and maternal sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics. METHODS: Children's adherence to sustainable healthy diets was calculated from single multiple-pass 24-h dietary recalls using the Planetary Health Diet Index for children and adolescents (PHDI-C). Higher PHDI-C scores (max score = 150 points) represent greater adherence. Adjusted linear regression models were fitted to explore associations between PHDI-C scores and child and maternal characteristics. RESULTS: Children obtained low total PHDI-C scores (median 50.0 [IQR 39.5-59.8] points). This resulted from low consumption of nuts & peanuts, legumes, vegetables, whole cereals, and vegetable oils; a lack of balance between dark green and red & orange vegetables, inadequate consumption of tubers & potatoes and eggs & white meats, and excess consumption of dairy products, palm oil, red meats, and added sugars. Mean PHDI-C total score was significantly higher (50.6 [95%CI 49.6, 51.7] vs 47.3 [95%CI 45.0, 49.5]) among children whose mothers were ≥ 25 years compared to those with younger mothers. Positive associations were observed between scores for fruits and maternal education, vegetables and maternal age, added sugars and child weight status, while negative associations were observed between fruits and child age, and vegetable oils and maternal education. Scores for dairy products PHDI-C component were lower among girls. CONCLUSION: Adherence to sustainable healthy diets was low among this sample of Chilean children and was significantly associated with maternal age, being lower among children whose mothers were younger.

Support Networks for Exclusive Breastfeeding (SNEB). A conceptual approach and characterization in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: This study focuses on the conceptualization and graphical characterization of Exclusive Breastfeeding Support Networks (EBSN) in Mexico. METHODS: Through a sample design stratified by federal entity with state significance at 95%, a questionnaire was administered online via Microsoft Forms to a representative sample of 2989 women whose primiparity occurred in Mexico. The questionnaire primarily focused on sociodemographic data of the mothers and the structure of their EBSNs during primiparity. RESULTS: In this work, EBSNs are defined as networks mainly composed of women, whose function is to share knowledge and experiences about breastfeeding, as well as to provide emotional and physical support to breastfeeding mothers, contributing to strengthening the emotional and caregiving bonds between mothers and their newborns. CONCLUSIONS: Sankey diagrams were employed for the characterization of EBSNs, revealing that the mother of the primipara is generally the main node, resulting in a network with greater flow and reach. Conversely, when the first node is not related to the primipara, the networks tend to be smaller and with less flow.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Este estudio se centra en la conceptualización y la caracterización gráfica de las Redes de Apoyo a la Lactancia Materna Exclusiva (RALME) en México. MÉTODOS: Mediante un diseño muestral estratificado por entidad federativa con significancia estatal al 95%, se aplicó un cuestionario en línea, a través de Microsoft Forms, a una muestra representativa de 2989 mujeres cuya primiparidad fue en México. El cuestionario se enfocó principalmente en datos sociodemográficos de las madres y en la estructura de sus RALME durante la primiparidad. RESULTADOS: En este trabajo se definen las RALME como redes compuestas mayormente por mujeres, cuya función es compartir conocimientos y experiencias sobre la lactancia, así como ofrecer apoyo emocional y físico a madres lactantes, contribuyendo a fortalecer los lazos afectivos y de cuidado entre las madres y sus recién nacidos. CONCLUSIONES: Para la caracterización de las RALME se utilizó el diagrama de Sankey, revelando que la madre de la primípara es generalmente el nodo principal, lo que resulta en una red con mayor flujo y alcance. Por el contrario, cuando el primer nodo no tiene parentesco con la primípara, las redes tienden a ser más reducidas y con menor flujo.

Epidemiology of violence against young children in Jamaica.

Violence against young children is known to have detrimental short and long-term effects. Yet, few studies investigate the prevalence of violence against young children, particularly very young children under the age of 2 years. This paper reports on the prevalence of violence against young children in Jamaica using data obtained from the JA KIDS birth cohort study that undertook pre-enrolment of pregnant mothers in the antenatal period and followed full or sub-samples of parents and children at 9-12 months, 18-22 months and 4-5 years. Violence in pregnancy was experienced by 6.1% of pre-enrolled mothers. As many as 43.1% of Jamaican children ages 9-12 months were shouted at, and almost 30% were slapped. Physical and emotional violence increased with age, and by 4-5 years, approximately 90% of children experienced physical and emotional violence. Non-violent methods, primarily explaining and reasoning with children, were also reported by more than 95% of parents at 4-5 years. Corporal punishment was the most common form of violence experienced, but young children also witnessed hurtful physical and emotional violence between mothers and their partners and lived in communities in which there were violent events. Strategies to reduce young children's experiences as victims and witnesses of violence are discussed.

Domestic violence patterns in postpartum women who delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To longitudinally assess domestic violence (DV) during the postpartum period, identifying types, patterns and determinants of DV, according to mothers' reports in Fortaleza, Brazil. METHODS: Data from the Iracema-COVID cohort study interviewed at home mothers who gave birth in the first wave of COVID-19, at 18 and 24 months after birth. Patterns of reported DV were classified as follows: no DV, interrupted DV, started DV and persistent DV. Adjusted multinomial logistic regressions were used to assess factors associated with persistent DV. RESULTS: DV was reported by 19 and 24% of the mothers at 18 and 24 months postpartum, respectively, a 5 percentage points increase. Persistent DV was present in 11% of the households in the period. The most frequent forms of DV were verbal aggression, reported by 17-20% of the mothers at 18 and 24 months, respectively; drunkenness or use of drugs at home, present in 3-5% of the households; physical aggression, reported by 1.2-1.6% of the mothers. Households with two or more forms of DV increased from 2 to 12% in the period. Adjusted factors associated with persistent DV were maternal common mental disorder, family headed by the mother and head of family's poor schooling. Food insecurity was associated with starting DV. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of DV was considerably high in the postpartum period. DV prevention policies should rely on improving care to women's mental health; preventing food insecurity; and fostering the educational level of young people of both sexes.

Factors Associated with Low Volumes of Mother's Own Milk at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge of Very Low Birth Weight Infants-a Cohort Study.

Background: Mother's own milk (MOM) provides health benefits for infants with very low birth weight (VLBW). This study aimed to describe the incidence and factors associated with low volumes of MOM (<50% of total diet volume) at discharge for VLBW infants. Methods: A prospective cohort study of infants with VLBW and gestational age of <30 weeks, who survived to discharge and had no contraindication to MOM. We conducted bivariate analyses to investigate associations with the volume of MOM at discharge, using chi-square, t, and Mann-Whitney tests. All p-value analyses were two-tailed. The variables significantly associated with "low volumes of MOM" entered the multivariable analysis. Univariate and multivariate relative risk (confidence interval [CI] 95%) estimates were obtained from Poisson regression with a robust estimate of variance and controlled by the length of hospital stay. Results: Of 414 infants included and followed until discharge, 32.9% (n = 136) received less than 50% of the total daily volume of MOM. This outcome was associated with gestational age <28 weeks, lower birth weight, multiple births, developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and longer lengths of stay. After Poisson regression, low volumes of MOM at discharge were associated only with being born multiples (RR 2.01; CI 95% 1.53-2.64, p < 0.001) and with longer length of stay (RR 1.07; CI 95% 1.01-1.14, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Most VLBW infants were discharged home receiving predominantly MOM. Each neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) should acknowledge which clinical characteristics of mothers and VLBW infants are associated with difficulties maintaining MOM volumes until discharge.

Infant and Maternal Morbidity Symptoms as Predictors for the Interruption of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Lima, Peru: A Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The global prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is 48%. This analysis examined the relationship between infant and maternal morbidity symptoms and the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding. METHODS: Data from a cohort study among women living in a peri-urban community in Peru were used. Data were collected during pregnancy, birth, and the first 6 months postpartum among 179 dyads... RESULTS: After the first month, interruption of exclusive breastfeeding was almost twofold (adjusted odds ration [aOR] = 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14, 3.45) more likely among infants with symptoms (e.g., diarrhea, cough) than those without. Maternal morbidity symptoms (e.g., gastrointestinal, respiratory) and breast problems were positively associated with interruption of exclusive breastfeeding throughout the first 6 months (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.82 and aOR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.84, 5.69, respectively). DISCUSSION: Mother-infant dyads often experience illness symptoms that are not contraindications to breastfeeding. Health professionals need to reinforce that exclusive breastfeeding should continue during illness.

The association of maternal country/region of origin and nativity with infant mortality rate among Hispanic preterm infants.

OBJECTIVES: Among US-born preterm infants of Hispanic mothers, we analyzed the unadjusted and adjusted infant mortality rate (IMR) by country/region of origin and maternal nativity status. STUDY DESIGN: Using linked national US birth and death certificate data (2005-2014), we examined preterm infants of Hispanic mothers by subgroup and nativity. Clinical and sociodemographic covariates were included and the main outcome was death in the first year of life. RESULTS: In our cohort of 891,216 preterm Hispanic infants, we demonstrated different rates of infant mortality by country and region of origin, but no difference between infants of Hispanic mothers who were US vs. foreign-born. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need to disaggregate the heterogenous Hispanic birthing population into regional and national origin groups to better understand unique factors associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in order to develop more targeted interventions for these subgroups.

Play into the domestic routine to promote child development: cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between the incorporation of play into the domestic routine of caregivers, and the child development of children under their care. METHOD: Cross-sectional study conducted with 129 caregiver-child dyads aged 12-23 months, living in the southern region of São Paulo. Child development was assessed using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire-3, and the incorporation of play into the domestic through a questionnaire and filming of the dyads in activities related to the domestic routine. RESULTS: Almost all the caregivers were the mother (98%), who, when answering the questionnaire, reported incorporating play into their domestic routine (93%), however in the video, only one third played with the child (34%). There was a positive association between playing in moments of domestic routine and domains of child development in children aged 18 months or less. CONCLUSIONS: A positive association was found between the incorporation of play into the domestic routine and child development.

Breastfeeding counseling based on formative research at primary healthcare Services in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding rates in Mexico are far from World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations with 28.8% of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) under 6 months of age, according to the 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey. Formative research has shown that culturally appropriate counseling is an effective breastfeeding intervention. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of interpersonal counseling on EBF in a primary healthcare center in Tijuana, México. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial pilot with a sample of mothers with infants under 4 months of age from a primary care center. Participants were randomized into two groups: 1) Control group, received counseling on immunizations and standard infant feeding information, and 2) Intervention group, receiving breastfeeding counseling using a socio-ecological framework. Changes in breastfeeding attitudes, self-efficacy and EBF were evaluated at 2 months post-intervention. RESULTS: A total of 80 mothers completed the 2 month follow up assessment (40 in each group). The mean age at baseline was 26.4 years for mothers and 1.4 months for infants. There was a 30% increase in EBF at 2 months follow up in the intervention group and 15% decrease in the control group post-intervention. We observed a significant improvement in breastfeeding attitudes (P = 0.0001), self-efficacy (P = 0.046) and EBF (P = 0.0001) in the intervention group. Reported obstacles were discomfort of breastfeeding in public (23%), infant dissatisfaction (23%), pain (19%), insufficient milk supply (15%) and returning to work (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding counseling based on previous formative research improved breastfeeding attitudes, self-efficacy and practices in this population. These findings suggest that the promotion of breastfeeding utilizing a socio-ecological framework may improve breastfeeding rates by addressing the needs of women within their varying sociocultural contexts. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN: ACTRN12621000915853 . Retrospectively registered.

Socio-cultural factors for breastfeeding cessation and their relationship with child diarrhoea in the rural high-altitude Peruvian Andes - a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: In some areas of the world, breast milk is seen as a potential source of child diarrhoea. While this belief has been explored in African and Southeast Asian countries, it remains vastly understudied in Latin American contexts. We investigate socio-cultural factors contributing to breastfeeding cessation in rural high-altitude populations of the Peruvian Andes. The role of socio- cultural factors in the local explanatory model of child diarrhoea, and whether these perceptions were integrated in the local healthcare system were assessed. METHODS: Within the framework of a randomised controlled trial, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 40 mothers and 15 health personnel from local healthcare centres involved in the trial. RESULTS: Cultural beliefs on breastfeeding cessation included the perception that breast milk turned into "blood" after six months and that breastfeeding caused child diarrhoea. We identified eight local types of child diarrhoea, and women linked six of them with breastfeeding practices. "Infection" was the only diarrhoea mothers linked to hygiene and the germ disease concept and perceived as treatable through drug therapy. Women believed that other types of diarrhoea could not be treated within the formal healthcare sector. Interviews with health personnel revealed no protocol for, or consensus about, the integration of the local explanatory model of child diarrhoea in local healthcare and service provision. CONCLUSIONS: The local explanatory model in rural Andean Peru connected breastfeeding with child diarrhoeas. Cultural beliefs regarding diarrhoea management may increase home treatments, even in cases of severe diarrhoeal episodes. Future national breastfeeding support programmes should promote peer-counselling approaches to reduce negative attitudes towards breastfeeding and health practitioners. Local explanatory models should be incorporated into provincial and regional strategies for child diarrhoea management to promote equity in health and improve provider-patient relationships.

RESUMEN: ANTECEDENTES: En diferentes partes del mundo, la leche materna es percibida como una fuente potencial de diarreas infantiles. Mientras que estas creencias se han estudiado en África o el Sudeste Asiático, su análisis en el contexto latinoamericano es limitado. Esta investigación se centra en el estudio de los factores culturales que contribuyen al cese de la lactancia materna en poblaciones rurales de los Andes peruanos. Al mismo tiempo, también se analiza el papel de estos factores culturales en el modelo explicativo local de diarreas infantiles y la integración de las creencias en los servicios locales de salud. MéTODOS: Dentro de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado, se llevaron a cabo entrevistas semi-estructuradas con 40 mujeres y 15 trabajadores de salud de centros participantes en el ensayo. RESULTADOS: Las creencias culturales en torno a la lactancia maternal incluían la percepción de que la leche materna se convierten en "sangre" a los seis meses del parto y que la leche materna causaba diarreas en los niños lactantes. Identificamos ocho tipos de diarreas locales, seis de las cuales fueron asociadas con la lactancia por las madres participantes. "Infección" resultó ser el único tipo de diarrea que las madres asociaron con los principios de la higiene y la teoría microbiana de la enfermedad y percibían como curable por medio de medicamentos. Las mujeres creían que el resto de diarreas locales no podían ser tratadas dentro del sistema de salud. Las entrevistas con el personal sanitario indicaron una falta de protocolos y consenso sobre cómo integrar el sistema de creencias locales en torno a las diarreas infantiles en los servicios de salud. CONCLUSIONES: El modelo explicativo local en zonas rurales de los Andes peruanos asocia la lactancia con las diarreas infantiles. Estas creencias culturales dan lugar a prácticas de manejo de diarreas infantiles que pueden incrementar los tratamientos domiciliarios, incluso en episodios de diarrea severos. Futuros programas nacionales de apoyo a la lactancia materna deben promover la consejería y apoyo de pares y profesionales de salud con la finalidad de reducir las actitudes negativas hacia la lactancia materna y el personal de salud. Los modelos explicativos locales de las diarreas infantiles deberían incorporarse a las estrategias provinciales y regionales con la finalidad de promover la equidad en salud y mejorar las relaciones médico-paciente.

The COVID-19 pandemic and maternal mental health in a fragile and conflict-affected setting in Tumaco, Colombia: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health have been understudied among vulnerable populations, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings. We aimed to analyse how the pandemic is related to early changes in mental health and parenting stress among caregivers, many of whom are internally displaced persons (IDP), in a conflict-affected setting in Colombia. METHODS: For this cohort study, we used longitudinal data from a psychosocial support programme in which 1376 caregivers were randomly assigned across four sequential cohorts. Recruitment of participants took place in March, 2018, for cohort 1; July, 2018, for cohort 2; March, 2019, for cohort 3; and July, 2019, for cohort 4. Participants completed assessments at baseline, 1-month, and 8-month follow-ups. The 8-month assessment occurred before the COVID-19 pandemic for participants in cohorts 1 and 2 (n=573), whereas those in cohorts 3 and 4 (n=803) were assessed during the early stages of the pandemic, 2-5 weeks after the national lockdown began on March 25, 2020. Primary caregiver anxiety and depression were measured with a scale adapted from the Symptoms Checklist-90-Revised and parenting stress was measured with the short form of the Parenting Stress Index. We estimated how mental health changed by comparing prepandemic and postpandemic 8-month outcomes using lagged-dependent variable models. FINDINGS: Results showed that the likelihood of reporting symptoms above the risk threshold increased by 14 percentage points for anxiety (95% CI 10-17), 5 percentage points for depression (0·5-9), and 10 percentage points for parental stress (5-15). The deterioration in mental health was stronger for IDP, participants with lower education or pre-existing mental health conditions, and for those reporting a higher number of stressors, including food insecurity and job loss. INTERPRETATION: Maternal mental health significantly worsened during the early stages of the pandemic. Considering the vulnerability and pre-existing mental health conditions of this population, the estimated effects are substantial. Policies in fragile and conflict-affected settings targeting IDP and other vulnerable people will be important to mitigate further mental health and socioeconomic problems. FUNDING: Saving Brains-Grand Challenges Canada, Fundación Éxito, Fundación FEMSA, United Way Colombia, Universidad de los Andes. TRANSLATION: For the Spanish translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Integrating a problem-solving intervention with routine care to improve psychosocial functioning among mothers of children with sickle cell disease: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of a problem-solving skills training intervention in improving psychological outcomes in mothers of infants with sickle cell disease (SCD). DESIGN AND METHODS: This parallel randomized controlled trial recruited 64 babies with SCD, 6 to 12 months of age, and their mothers. Baseline measurements assessed mothers' coping and problem-solving skills, depression, and parental stress before random assignment to intervention or control groups (n = 32 each). Problem-solving skills intervention was delivered through 6 monthly sessions, when babies attended for routine penicillin prophylaxis. All measurements were repeated for both groups at the end of the intervention period. Intention to treat analysis used repeated measures mixed models with the restricted estimation maximum likelihood approach. RESULTS: The problem-solving intervention had no significant effect on mothers' problem-solving skills (adjusted treatment effect: -1.69 points (95% CI:-5.62 to 2.25)), coping behaviours (adjusted treatment effect: 0.65 points (95% CI:- -7.13 to 8.41)) or depressive symptoms (adjusted treatment effect: -0.41 (95% CI: -6.00 to 5.19)). It reduced mothers' level of difficulty in managing stressful events by 9.5 points (95% CI (-16.86 to -2.16); effect size: 0.21 SD). In the subgroup of mothers at risk of depression (n = 31 at baseline), the intervention reduced depression scores with treatment effect of 10.4 points (95%CI: -18.83 to -1.88; effect size: 0.67 SD). CONCLUSION: This problem-solving skills intervention study suggests feasibility and possible efficacy in improving some maternal outcomes. Further refinement and culturally appropriate adaptations of the intervention could lead to stronger effects.

Association between sociodemographic factors and noncavitated and cavitated caries lesions in 8- to 12-year-old Mexican schoolchildren.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between sociodemographic factors and noncavitated and cavitated caries lesions in Mexican schoolchildren.This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 on 8-to-12-year-old schoolchildren of different socioeconomic status (SES). The caries was evaluated using ICDAS II, SES was evaluated using three categories---a high, middle, or low-income level---of the CONAPO. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed in order to ascertain the associations between socioeconomic factors and noncavitated and cavitated caries lesions.The prevalence of noncavitated lesions was 38.0% and cavitated lesions was 43.4% in permanent dentition. In all the samples, 50.6% of schoolchildren had poor oral hygiene. About 52.5% of the mothers and 64.7% of the fathers had less than 9 years of education. Schoolchildren with a low-income level have more cavitated lesions (ICDAS II 4-6) than schoolchildren with high-income level (56.3% vs 15.8%, P = .009). The multinomial logistic regression models showed that mother's level of education <9 years and low-income level were significantly associated with cavitated caries lesions (ICDAS II 4-6), [odds ratio = 1.79 (1.17 - 2.75); P = .007], [OR = 2.21 (1.23 - 3.97); P = .008], respectively. The socioeconomic level was not associated with noncavitated caries lesions (ICDAS II 1-3).An association was found between the presence of cavitated caries lesions and the subject's mother's level of education and a low-income level. Socioeconomic factors were found to be associated with inequalities in caries distribution in the age group studied.

SCREENING FOR NEUROPSYCHOMOTOR AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN UNDER 24 MONTHS OF AGE IN THE BRAZILIAN SEMI-ARID REGION.

OBJECTIVE: To screen children under 24 months of age for neuropsychomotor and social-emotional development in a municipality of the Brazilian semi-arid region, using the Survey of Well-Being of Young Children (SWYC) scale. METHODS: This is a quantitative cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic sample, involving children aged 1 to 24 months and their respective mothers, recruited from primary care services in the municipality of Picos, Piauí, Northeastern Brazil. The screening for neuropsychomotor and social-emotional development using the SWYC scale also provided information about the family context. In addition, we administered a questionnaire to assess the children's demographic and socioeconomic factors. Descriptive data analysis was performed. RESULTS: The sample consisted mostly of adult mothers (84.0%), with more than 8 years of schooling (83.3%), belonging to the C, D, and E socioeconomic classes (75.3%). The prevalence of suspected cases of delayed neuropsychomotor development and social-emotional changes was 12.7 and 42.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results point to the existence of children at risk of delayed development, particularly in the social-emotional domain, reaffirming the need to adopt child development screening as a health service routine, with the implementation of appropriate intervention programs.