Partner Involvement During Pregnancy and Maternal Health Behaviors

Objectives The health profile of Arab American mothers and infants may differ from that of non–Arab American mothers and infants in the United States as a result of social stigma experienced in the historical and current sociopolitical climate. The objective of our study was to compare maternal health behaviors, maternal health outcomes, and infant health outcomes of Arab American mothers and non-Hispanic white mothers in Massachusetts and to assess the role of nativity as an effect modifier. Methods Using data from Massachusetts birth certificates (2012-2016), we conducted adjusted logistic and linear regression models for maternal health behaviors, maternal health outcomes, and infant health outcomes. We used Arab ethnicity as the exposure of interest and nativity as an effect modifier. Results Arab American mothers had higher odds than non-Hispanic white mothers of initiating breastfeeding (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.61; 95% CI, 2.39-2.86), giving birth to small-for-gestational-age infants (aOR = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.18-1.39), and having gestational diabetes (aOR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.20-1.44). Among Arab American mothers, non–US-born mothers had higher odds than US-born mothers of having gestational diabetes (aOR = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.33-2.44) and lower odds of initiating prenatal care in the first trimester (aOR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.33-0.50). In linear regression models, infants born to non–US-born Arab American mothers weighed 42.1 g (95% CI, −75.8 to −8.4 g) less than infants born to US-born Arab American mothers. Conclusion Although Arab American mothers engage in positive health behaviors, non–US-born mothers had poorer maternal health outcomes and access to prenatal care than US-born mothers, suggesting the need for targeted interventions for non–US-born Arab American mothers.

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Incentive Use for Improving Maternal Health: Perspective From Behavioral Science

Psychological Reports ◽

10.1177/0033294117720937 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 121 (1) ◽

pp. 42-47

Author(s):

Yukiko Washio

Keyword(s):

Maternal Health ◽

Health Behavior ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Behavioral Science ◽

Important Variable ◽

Intervention Effect

Incentive use to improve maternal health behavior has been controversial, and guidelines to effectively design and implement such an intervention have been published. This commentary briefly describes a perspective from behavioral science for the existing guideline on the development of an incentive-based intervention to change maternal health behaviors. It is recommended to emphasize the saliency of incentives as an important variable to maintain the intervention effect while addressing barriers to feasibility and sustainability.

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Factors Cause of Maternal Death in Timor-Leste

International Research Journal of Engineering IT & Scientific Research ◽

10.21744/irjeis.v3i2.386 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 30

Author(s):

Feliciano Pinto ◽

I Ketut Suwiyoga ◽

I Gde Raka Widiana ◽

I Wayan Putu Sutirta Yasa

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Maternal Mortality ◽

Maternal Death ◽

Good Health ◽

Birth Spacing ◽

Maternal Deaths ◽

Live Births ◽

Timor Leste

Maternal mortality was an indicator of basic health services for mothers or women of reproductive age of a country and was one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Factors that affect maternal mortality, among others: medical factors, non-medical factors, and health care system factors. Meanwhile, WHO (2010) reported that the cause of maternal mortality in the world is 25% of bleeding, 15% of infection/sepsis, 12% eclampsia, 13% of abortions are unsafe, 8% obstructed and ectopic pregnancy, 8% embolisms and other related issues with anesthetic problems. WHO (2010) has determined that the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in 40 countries ≥ 300 / 100,000 live births including República Democrática de Timor-Leste at 557 / 100,000 live births. Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the variables of age, parity, spacing pregnancies, health behavior, and health status of mothers with maternal deaths. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 298 pregnant women in 13 districts throughout Timor-Leste. Results: Maternal deaths are caused by independent variables simultaneously and the remaining 28.0% were prescribed other factors. Low maternal health behaviors that lead to maternal death by 40.348 times higher compared with mothers who have good health behaviors. The health status of low maternal causes of maternal mortality by 23.340 times higher than mothers who have a good health status. Birth spacing ˂ two years caused the death of the mother of 16.715 times higher than women with birth spacing ˃ 2 years. Maternal age and parity variables showed no significant effect. Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between behavioral maternal health, maternal health, birth spacing with maternal mortality while age and parity are not related.

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Socioeconomic Determinants, Maternal Health, and Caries in Young Children

JDR Clinical & Translational Research ◽

10.1177/2380084418788066 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 395-404 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

A. Julihn ◽

F.C. Soares ◽

A. Hjern ◽

G. Dahllöf

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Dental Caries ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Young Children ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Caries Experience ◽

Cumulative Probability ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Socioeconomic Determinants

Introduction: Maternal health during pregnancy plays a part in child health, and several conditions have been associated with adverse child outcomes. Objectives: To determine the socioeconomic determinants and maternal health factors associated with dental caries in young children. Methods: This cross-sectional study is part of a register-based cohort study including all children who were born from 2000 to 2003 and were residing in Stockholm County, Sweden, at age 3 y ( n = 73,658). The study followed the cohort until individuals were 7 y old. The final study cohort comprised all children examined at 3 and 7 y ( n = 65,259). Data on socioeconomic conditions, maternal health, and maternal health behavior were extracted from Swedish national registries. The multivariate analyses used 2 outcomes: caries experience at age 3 and 7 y (deft > 0 [decayed, extracted, and filled teeth]). Results: The results of this study show that socioeconomic and maternal health behaviors during pregnancy are important determinants of oral health in their preschool offspring. When all significant risk factors were present, the cumulative probability of being diagnosed with dental caries at age 7 y was 75%. Conclusion: This study also showed that maternal obesity and smoking during pregnancy were predictors of dental caries in preschool children. Strategies must be developed for increasing maternal motivation and self-efficacy and providing mothers with knowledge and caries-preventive tools. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study inform clinicians about the importance of including a more detailed history regarding maternal health and maternal health behaviors during pregnancy to assess caries risk in preschool children. Education, income, and other socioeconomic factors are difficult to modify in the short term. Therefore, strategies must be developed to increase parental motivation and self-efficacy to give parents the determination, knowledge, and tools for prevention.

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