Developmental trajectories of health‐promoting behaviours among pregnant women: A longitudinal study

Background. Iodine deficiency causes maternal hypothyroidism which can lead to growth, cognitive, and psychomotor deficit in neonates, infants, and children. This study examined the iodine status of pregnant women in a periurban setting in Ghana. Methods. This longitudinal study recruited 125 pregnant women by purposeful convenience sampling from the antenatal clinic of the Sefwi Wiawso municipal hospital in Ghana. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was estimated by the ammonium persulfate method at an estimated gestational age (EGA) of 11, 20, and 32 weeks. Demographic information, iodized salt usage, and other clinical information were collected using a questionnaire. Results. The prevalence of iodine deficiency among the pregnant women was 47.2% at EGA 11 and 60.8% at both EGA of 20 and 32, whereas only 0.8% of participants not using iodized salt had iodine sufficiency at EGA 32. 18.4%, 20%, and 24% of participants using iodized salt had iodine sufficiency at EGA 11, 20, and 32, respectively. Conclusion. A high prevalence of iodine deficiency was observed among our study cohort.

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Plasma adipokine concentrations in overweight/obese pregnant women: a longitudinal study

Gynecological Endocrinology ◽

10.1080/09513590.2018.1512572 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 242-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Masanori Suto ◽

Kazuhisa Maeda ◽

Miki Sato ◽

Takashi Kaji ◽

Minoru Irahara

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Pregnant Women

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Protecting my baby: a qualitative study of the health promoting practices of pregnant Burmese migrant women living in Thailand

International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care ◽

10.1108/ijmhsc-08-2017-0032 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 1-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Titaree Phanwichatkul ◽

Elaine Burns ◽

Pranee Liamputtong ◽

Virginia Schmied

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Well Being ◽

Ethnographic Study ◽

Migrant Women ◽

Health Seeking ◽

Positive Health ◽

Content Type ◽

Southern Thailand ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Antenatal Services

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe Burmese migrant women’s perceptions of health and well-being during pregnancy, their health promoting practices and their experiences with the Thai antenatal services.Design/methodology/approachThe study used an ethnographic design. Observations were conducted in two antenatal clinics in southern Thailand. Ten Burmese migrant women and three Burmese interpreters participated in interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsThe Burmese women wanted to take care of themselves and their baby to the best of their ability. This included following traditional practices and attending the antenatal clinic if able. Negotiating the demands of earning an income, and protecting their unborn baby, sometimes led to unhealthy practices such as consuming energy drinks and herbal tonics to improve performance. Accessing antenatal care was a positive health seeking behaviour noted in this community, however, it was not available to all.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a small ethnographic study conducted in one Province in Thailand and all Burmese participants were legal migrants. Further research is required to understand the needs of pregnant women not able to access maternity services because of their status as an illegal migrant.Practical implicationsCommunity-based health promotion initiatives need to focus on the nutrition of pregnant women who are migrants living in southern Thailand. New models of care may increase migrant women’s use of antenatal services.Originality/valueMost studies of the health of migrant women are conducted in high-income countries. This study demonstrates the difficulties experienced by women migrating from a low to middle-income country.

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