scholarly journals Stillbirth and infant death: mental health among low-income mothers in Mumbai

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Roberts ◽  
Solomon J. Renati ◽  
Shreeletha Solomon ◽  
Susanne Montgomery

Abstract Background India has the highest number of stillbirths and the highest neonatal death rate in the world. In the context of its pronatalist society, women who experience perinatal loss often encounter significant social repercussions on top of grief. Furthermore, even when pregnancy outcomes were favorable, adverse life circumstances put some women at risk for postnatal depression. Therefore, perinatal loss and postnatal depression take a heavy toll on women’s mental health. The purpose of this study is to assess mental health among a sample of Mumbai slum-dwelling women with a history of recent childbirth, stillbirth, or infant death, who are at risk for perinatal grief, postnatal depression, or mental health sequelae. Methods We conducted a mixed method, cross-sectional study. A focus group discussion informed the development of a comprehensive survey using mainly internationally validated scales. After rigorous forward and back-translation, surveys were administered as face-to-face structured interviews due to low literacy and research naiveté among our respondents. Interviews were conducted by culturally, linguistically, gender-matched, trained research assistants. Results Of our reproductive age (N = 260) participants, 105 had experienced stillbirth, 69 had a history of infant death, and 25 had experienced both types of loss. Nearly half of the sample met criteria for postnatal depression, and 20% of these women also met criteria for perinatal grief. Anxiety and depression varied by subgroup, and was highest among women desiring an intervention. Conclusions Understanding factors contributing to women’s suffering related to reproductive challenges in this pronatalist context is critically important for women’s wellbeing.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lize Hermans ◽  
Stephan Van den Broucke ◽  
Lydia Gisle ◽  
Stefaan Demarest ◽  
Rana Charafeddine

Abstract Background The importance of health literacy in dealing with the COVID-19 epidemic has been emphasized but scarcely addressed empirically. In this study, the association of health literacy with mental health, compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures and health prospects was assessed in a Belgian context. Methods Data were extracted from the third of a series of cross-sectional online COVID-related surveys (n = 32,794). Data collection took place for 1 week starting the 28th of May 2020. People residing in Belgium and aged 18 years or older could participate. Data were collected on sociodemographic background, health literacy, multimorbidity, mental health (depression, anxiety, sleeping disorder, vitality), knowledge about COVID-19, compliance with COVID-19 measures (hygiene, physical distance, covering mouth and nose on public transport and in places where physical distance cannot be respected), and health prospects (risk for health when returning to normal life and possibility of infection). Prevalence Ratio (PR) of poor mental health, non-compliance with the measures and health prospects in relation to health literacy were calculated using Poisson regressions. Results People showing sufficient health literacy were less likely to suffer from anxiety disorders (PR = 0.47, 95% CI = [0.42–0.53]), depression (PR = 0.46, 95% CI = [0.40–0.52]) and sleeping disorders (PR = 0.85, 95% CI = [0.82–0.87]), and more likely to have optimal vitality (PR = 2.41, 95% CI = [2.05–2.84]) than people with low health literacy. They were less at risk of not complying with the COVID-19 measures (PR between 0.60 and 0.83) except one (covering mouth and nose in places where physical distance cannot be respected). Finally, they were less likely to perceive returning to normal life as threatening (PR = 0.70, 95% CI = [0.65–0.77]) and to consider themselves at risk of an infection with COVID-19 (PR = 0.75, 95% CI = [0.67–0.84]). The associations remained significant after controlling for COVID-19 knowledge and multimorbidity. Conclusions These results suggest that health literacy is a crucial factor in managing the COVID-19 epidemic and offer a perspective for future studies that target health literacy in the context of virus outbreaks.


1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Hossain ◽  
NU Ahmed ◽  
M Rahman ◽  
MR Islam ◽  
G Sadhya ◽  
...  

A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out to analyze prevalence of risk factors for stroke in hospitalized patient in a medical college hospital. 100 patients were chosen using purposive sampling technique. Highest incidence of stroke was between the 6th and 7th decade. Patients came from both urban (54%) and rural (46%) areas and most of them belong to the low-income group (47%). In occupational category; service holder (28%) and retired person (21%) were the highest groups. Most of the study subjects were literate (63%). CT scan study revealed that the incidence of ischaemic stroke was 61% and haemorrhagic stroke 39%. Analysis indicated hypertension as major risk factor for stroke (63%) and major portion of the patients (42.85%) were on irregular or no treatment. Twenty four percent of the patients had heart diseases and out of 24 patients 45.83% were suffering from ischaemic heart disease. The present study detected diabetes in 21% patients. Fifty three percent of the study subjects were smoker, 39% patients had habit of betelnut chewing. Out of 26 female patients, only 23% had history of using oral contraceptives. Majority of the patients were sedentary workers (46%). Thirty seven percent of the stroke patients were obese. Among the stroke patients 9% had previous history of stroke and 3% had TIA respectively. Most of the patients (21%) were awake while they suffered from stroke and the time of occurrence was mostly in the afternoon (46%). This study found that hypertension, cigarette smoking, ischaemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus are the major risk factors prevalent in our community while other risk factors demand further study. Key words: stroke; risk factors; hospitalized patients; Bangladesh. DOI: 10.3329/fmcj.v6i1.7405 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2011;6(1): 19-23


2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Angeline Gnanaselvam ◽  
Bobby Joseph

Stress and depression are common in textile industry employees due to inadequate working conditions and challenging socioeconomic conditions. The objective of the study was to assess depression and mental health among adolescent and young females currently employed in a textile factory located in Tamil Nadu compared with past employees and women who have never been employed. This cross-sectional study included a total of 107 participants in each study group who were interviewed. The Patient Health Questionnaire–9 and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were administered to screen participants for depression and mental health. More current employees (16.82%) and past employees (15.88%) suffered from depression severe enough to require treatment compared with never employed girls and young women (2.8%). Of the study participants, 59.8% of current employees, 63.6% of past employees, and 32.7% of never employed women had mental health or behavior problems. In the regression model, history of abuse was significantly associated with depression. Participants who were current employees and reported family debt and a history of abuse were significantly more likely to have mental health or behavior problems. Mental health issues such as depression and behavior problems were more likely among adolescent girls currently employed in textile industries. Further studies into the causes of this phenomenon are needed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-20
Author(s):  
AHM Hasan ◽  
Fakir Sameul Alam ◽  
Md Tufael Hossain ◽  
Maksuda Begum ◽  
Sultana Sobnam Dipu ◽  
...  

This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from January 2015 to March 2016 in villages of 12 Bhavokhali union, Sadar upazila, Mymensingh. The study was done on 408 subjects who were selected purposively. Data were collected on a pre-designed questionnaire by direct interviewing the respondents. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Prevalence of hypertension was 21.32%. Mean age was 39.22 years and standard deviation 14.81 years. Prevalence of hypertension was 46.30% among persons over 60 years of age, 37.11% among persons having family history of hypertension, 61.54% among persons having diabetes mellitus, 43.96% among persons having BMI more than or equal to 25, 29.41% among those having sedentary lifestyle, 22.14% among those having the habit of added salt intake, 33.75% among smokers and 25.95% among persons having the habit of smokeless tobacco intake. Though female had low prevalence of hypertension (18.77%), female working outside had higher prevalence 31.59%. Women of reproductive age group had lower prevalence of hypertension (15.56%) among whom oral contraceptive pill users had increased prevalence of hypertension 16.82%. Prevalence of hypertension found in this study was lower in comparison to global prevalence and results of other studies. CBMJ 2016 July: Vol. 05 No. 02 P: 14-20


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika McGivern ◽  
Stephen Shannon ◽  
Gavin Breslin

Purpose This paper aims to conduct the first cross-sectional survey on depression, Resilience, well-being, depression symptoms and concussion levels in equestrian athletes and to assess whether past concussion rates were associated with depression, resilience and well-being. Design/methodology/approach In total, 511 participants from Canada, Republic of Ireland, UK, Australia and USA took part in an international cross-sectional, online survey evaluating concussion history, depression symptoms, resilience and well-being. Findings In total, 27.1% of athletes met clinically relevant symptoms of major depressive disorder. Significant differences were shown in the well-being and resilience scores between countries. Significant relationships were observed between reported history of concussion and both high depression scores and low well-being scores. Practical implications Findings highlight the need for mental health promotion and support in equestrian sport. Social implications Results support previous research suggesting a need for enhanced mental health support for equestrians. There is reason to believe that mental illness could still be present in riders with normal levels of resilience and well-being. Originality/value This study examined an understudied athlete group: equestrian athletes and presents important findings with implications for the physical and mental health of this population.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Serra ◽  
Anna Presicci ◽  
Luigi Quaranta ◽  
Maria Rosaria Erminia Urbano ◽  
Lucia Marzulli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Children and adolescents and low-income individuals are considered particularly vulnerable for mental health implications during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Depression is one of the most frequent negative emotional responses during an epidemic outbreak, mainly due to the imposed restriction of social contacts. We aimed to assess depressive symptomatology in a sample of Italian low-income minors and to determine if pandemic-related stressors and pre-existing neuropsychiatric diagnoses would behave as risk factors for depressive symptoms. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study during July 2020, at the end of the Italian first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. We recruited 109 Italian socioeconomically disadvantaged children and adolescents, from 7 to 17 years. We used an online survey to collect socio-demographic and clinical data and information about pandemic-related stressors, and to assess depressive symptoms with the Children’s Depression Inventory 2 (CDI 2), Parent Version (Emotional Problems subscale) and Self-Report Short Form. We performed logistic regression analysis to assess the association between depressive symptoms and potential risk factors for mental health. Results 22% and 14% of participants showed depressive symptoms at the CDI 2 Parent Version and Self-Report, respectively. Participants coming from families experiencing a lack of basic supplies during the pandemic (34.9%) were more expected to show depressive symptoms at CDI 2 Parent Version. Participants with a pre-existing neuropsychiatric diagnosis (26.6%) were more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms measured by CDI 2 Parent Version. Conclusions The results of our study may be representative of a particular group of frail subjects, the socioeconomically disadvantaged children and adolescents, who were more vulnerable to depressive symptoms if they suffered from a paucity of essential supplies during the pandemic or had pre-existing neurodevelopmental disorders. The promotion of educational and child-care programs and activities could be crucial in sustaining the prevention of mental distress in those frail subjects who particularly need support outside the family.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (02) ◽  
pp. 237-241
Author(s):  
Shabana Rafiq ◽  
Razia Bibi ◽  
Samina Ashraf

Objectives: To determine the frequency of ovarian malignancy in women ofreproductive age presenting with ovarian mass and to determine frequency of factors leadingto ovarian malignancy. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics& Gynaecology, Lady Wallington Hospital, Lahore. Period with Dates: From 05.11.11 to26.06.12. Results: The result of our study reveals majority of the patients between 21-30 yearsi.e. 45.88%(n=39), common age was 24.21+3.76 years, 43.53%(n=37) were nulliparous (inmajority), while frequency of ovarian malignancy in women of reproductive age presenting withovarian mass was recorded in 14.11%(n=12) while frequency of factors leading to ovarianmalignancy was 91.67%(n=11) patients were nulliparous while family history of ovarianmalignancy was in 8.33%(n=1) patients. Conclusions: The frequency of ovarian malignancy ishigher among reproductive age females with increased risk of nulliparity.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S56-S57
Author(s):  
Syed Usman Hamdani ◽  
Zill-e- Huma ◽  
Hashim Javed ◽  
Azza Warraitch ◽  
Atif Rahman ◽  
...  

AimsEarly interventions are recommended in adolescents to prevent long-term psychiatric morbidity. However, in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs), where there are no child and adolescent mental health services, early identification of adolescents at-risk of mental health problems remains a challenge. Pediatric Symptoms Checklist (PSC) is used in preventive child healthcare services in a number of high income countries for early identification of children and adolescents in need of mental health services. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of self-rated, Urdu version of PSC to identify at-risk adolescents studying in the public schools of rural Rawalpindi in Pakistan.MethodWe did a cross-sectional epidemiological survey with all adolescents aged 13–15 years, studying in 41 public schools of Kallar Syedan sub-district in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. An adapted Urdu version of self-reported PSC was used to assess the psychosocial distress in adolescents in-terms of externalizing, internalizing and attention problems. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used as a gold standard measure. Youth version of PSC and SDQ were administered in classroom settings by trained research teams.ResultThe data were collected from 5856 adolescents (response rate 97%) between April-May, 2019. The mean age of the participants was 14.37 years (±1.06); 51% participants were female. The internal consistency reliability of Urdu version of PSC was good (Cronbach alpha 0.85). At the standard cut-off score of PSC ≥28, the prevalence rate of psychosocial distress in adolescents was 25.5% (27.4% in boys & 23.6% in girls). Using the SDQ total difficulties score ≥16 as a standard criterion; the area under the ROC curve was 0.85 (95% CI 0.82–0.88), with a sensitivity of 57.64% and specificity of 89.10% of PSC. If the sensitivity and specificity of PSC is optimized to 76% at the cut-off score of PSC ≥ 24, the prevalence rates of psychosocial distress in adolescents is increased to 41%.ConclusionIn our study, 1 in 4 adolescents in public schools of rural Rawalpindi in Pakistan have been identified at-risk of poor socio-emotional development. Urdu version of PSC is a reliable and valid tool to identify adolescents in need of psychosocial interventions in public schools of rural Pakistan. While the standard cut-off score yields a better specificity; PSC with relatively lower cutoff score can be used a screening tool to identify at-risk adolescents in public schools of rural Pakistan.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (04) ◽  
pp. 511-515
Author(s):  
Nayyab Zehra ◽  
Ahmed Hassaan Malik ◽  
Zahabia Khalid ◽  
Misha Sabir ◽  
Simra Tanvir ◽  
...  

Objectives: To determine the frequency of risk factors i.e. consanguinity andmaternal age associated with spontaneous abortions in Pakistan and to propose ways toreduce them. Study design: Cross sectional descriptive study. Place of study: Gynecologydepartment of Military Hospital and Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. Duration ofstudy: 6 months (September 2015 to February 2016). Sampling technique: Non probabilityconvenient sampling. Methodology: 150 married female patients in reproductive age group(15-49 years), who were confirmed cases of pregnancy and presented with abortions, wereinterviewed and responses were filled in a structured questionnaire after written consent.The collected data was then entered and analyzed by SPSS 20.0. Results: The major bulkof spontaneous abortions occurred in the maternal age group of 25-35 years (55.3%). A totalof 53.3% of abortions occurred in the gestational age of less than 12 weeks. Around 54.7% offemales had family history of spontaneous abortions and 65.3% had consanguineous marriage.Conclusion: Spontaneous abortions occur more frequently in the females of 25-35 yearsage group and among the fetuses with gestational age less than 12 weeks (1st trimester ofpregnancy). Family history of spontaneous abortions and consanguinity are associated withspontaneous abortions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1551-1556
Author(s):  
Arezoo . ◽  
Behbood . ◽  
Alireza . ◽  
Salehi . ◽  
Hossein . ◽  
...  

Background: Mental health literacy (MHL) is a relatively ignored determinant of community mental health in Iran, in which its level and determinants should be addressed. Aim: To investigate MHL and its components among Iranian adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. After multistage cluster random sampling, 500 high school students were enrolled. Previously validated Persian version of theMHL Scale (MHLS) was used for data collection. In addition, data on socio-demographic variables were also collected. Adolescents with an MHL score of less than 60% of the achievable score were considered as at-risk of mental health illiteracy. Relevant statistical analyses were used to determine the MHL level and its association with sociodemographic variables. Results: Overall prevalence of being at-risk of mental health illiteracy was estimated at 71.5 % (95% CI: 67.1, 75.6). Prevalence of being at-risk of stigmatization, inadequate self-help knowledge, and information seeking was 91.2 (95% CI: 88.3, 93.7), 60.3 (95% CI: 59.8, 60.8), and 36.6 (95% CI: 36.1, 37.1), respectively. Having religious beliefs was associated with the stigmatization component (adjusted OR= 2.66, 95% CI: 1.27-5.59). Conclusions: Prevalence of being at-risk of mental health illiteracy is high among Iranian adolescents. Mental disorders are highly stigmatized in Iran. Keywords: Mental Health Literacy, Health Literacy, Adolescent, Iran, Mental Disorder


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