Health Education in the Border Corridor

1991 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-29
Author(s):  
Hope Isaacs
Keyword(s):  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mexico Border ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
United States Mexico

Despite closely maintained familial connections and cultural traditions, the Hispanic population spanning the United States-Mexico border has diverged sharply from its traditional infant feeding practices. Successive reports document a trend away from the long-established cultural pattern of breast-feeding among Hispanic mothers. At the same time, World Health Organization reports have stimulated greater awareness among health care professionals of the positive impact of breast-feeding on infant health rates in Third World countries. This paper describes a multistage project undertaken by a binational team of nursing professionals and an anthropologist. Project goals were to research, design, and implement a mode of intervention which would encourage better management of infant feeding and which could be clinically applied on both the Mexican and U.S. sides of the international border.

scholarly journals Women’s Perceptions and Experiences of Breastfeeding: A Scoping Review of the Literature 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget Beggs ◽  
Liza Koshy ◽  
Elena Neiterman
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Partner Support ◽  
World Health ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Women’S Perceptions ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background Despite public health efforts to promote breastfeeding, global rates of breastfeeding continue to trail behind the goals identified by the World Health Organization. While the literature exploring breastfeeding beliefs and practices is growing, it offers various, and sometimes conflicting, explanations regarding women’s attitudes towards and experiences of breastfeeding. This research explores existing empirical literature suggestions regarding women’s perceptions about and experiences with breastfeeding. The overall goal of this research is to identify what barriers mothers face when attempting to breastfeed and what supports they need to guide their breastfeeding choices. Methods This paper uses a scoping review methodology developed by Arksey and O’Malley. PubMed, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, and PsychInfo databases were searched utilizing a predetermined string of key words. After removing duplicates, papers published in 2010-2020 in English were screened for eligibility. A literature extraction tool and thematic analysis were used to code and analyze the data.Results In total, 59 papers were included in the review. Thematic analysis showed that mothers tend to assume that breastfeeding will be easy and find it challenging to cope with breastfeeding challenges. A lack of partner support and social networks, as well as advice from health care professionals, play critical roles in women’s decision to breastfeed. Conclusion While breastfeeding mothers are generally aware of the benefits of breastfeeding, they experience barriers at individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels. Acknowledging that breastfeeding is associated with challenges and providing adequate institutional support can improve breastfeeding rates and have a positive impact on women’s breastfeeding experiences.

Migration, Migrants, and Health in Latin America and the Caribbean

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deisy Ventura ◽  
Jameson Martins da Silva ◽  
Leticia Calderón ◽  
Itzel Eguiluz
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mexico Border ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization has recognized health as a right of migrants and refugees, who are entitled to responsive healthcare policies, due to their particular social determinants of health. Migrants’ and refugees’ health is not only related to transmissible diseases but also to mental health, sexual and reproductive health, and non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes. Historically, however, migration has been linked to the spread of diseases and has often artificially served as a scapegoat to local shortcomings, feeding on the xenophobic rhetoric of extremist groups and political leaders. This approach fosters the criminalization of migrants, which has led to unacceptable violations of human rights, as demonstrated by the massive incarceration and deportation policies in developed countries, for example, the United States under the Trump administration. In Latin America and the Caribbean, in particular, there have been legal developments, such as pioneering national legislation in Argentina in 2004 and Brazil in 2017, which suggest some progress in the direction of human rights, although in practice drawbacks abound in the form of countless barriers for migrants to access and benefit from healthcare services in the context of political turmoil and severe socioeconomic inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and enhanced the effects of such inequality in the already frail health conditions of the most disenfranchised, including low-income migrants and refugees; it has both caused governments in Latin America to handle the crisis in a fragmented and unilateral fashion, ignoring opportunities to cooperate and shield the livelihoods of the most vulnerable, and served as a pretext to sharpen the restrictions to cross-border movement and, ultimately, undermine the obligation to protect the dignity of migrants, as the cases of Venezuela and the U.S.-Mexico border illustrate. Still, it could represent an opportunity to integrate the health of migrants to the public health agenda as well as restore cooperation mechanisms building on previous experiences and the existing framework of human rights organizations.

Review of the Epidemiologic Evidence for an Association Between Infant Feeding and Infant Health

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 615-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Grace Kovar ◽  
Mary K. Serdula ◽  
James S. Marks ◽  
David W. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Intellectual Development ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
The United States ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Disease Specific

The approach in this paper is to investigate the health impact of feeding infants breast milk or its substitutes in the United States and other industrialized countries today. This report is limited to an evaluation of epidemiologic and clinical studies of human populations conducted in the United States and other industrialized countries and published since 1970. QUESTIONS ADDRESSED This review addresses five questions on breast-feeding: 1. Is breast-feeding associated with lower post-neonatal mortality than alternative forms of feeding? 2. Is breast-feeding associated with lower infectious disease-specific morbidity than alternative forms of feeding? 3. Is breast-feeding associated with lower rates of allergic disease-specific morbidity than alternative forms of feeding? 4. Is breast-feeding associated with malnutrition as indicated by either unusually rapid growth or faltering growth? 5. Is breast-feeding associated with bonding or with better psychological and intellectual development? QUESTIONS NOT ADDRESSED The decision to focus on specific questions meant that several issues could not be addressed. For example, the relationship between breast-feeding and fertility, the possible impact of breast-feeding on the mother's health, and the possible impact of a mother's health condition or her use of drugs on infant feeding are not discussed, nor are medical characteristics of the infant that might make breast-feeding difficult or inadvisable. Thus, several factors that should be taken into consideration in evaluating whether breast-feeding should be encouraged or discouraged in specific circumstances are not discussed in this section. Biochemical and immunologic laboratory studies and animal studies have also not been reviewed. Such studies are potentially valuable, and the decision to exclude them should in no way be interpreted as failure to recognize their importance.

Factors Associated with the Choice and Duration of Infant-Feeding Practice

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 603-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artemis P. Simopoulos ◽  
Gilman D. Grave
Keyword(s):  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Feeding Practice ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Member States ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Breast Feed

Breast-feeding makes a unique, fundamental contribution to the health and nutrition of infants. The World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes is designed to encourage, promote, and protect breast-feeding in all WHO member states. The Code acknowledges that a number of social and economic factors affect the decisions of women to breast-feed and that breast-feeding has declined. Member states have been urged, therefore, to develop appropriate social support systems to overcome and adjust for factors associated with breastmilk substitutes. Although the Code does not so state, these factors are not fully understood. The reasons for unsuccessful breast-feeding and early termination are important concerns. So far only vague and rudimentary answers have been identified, eg, "the milk dried up"49 or "lack of satisfaction."7 The decision-making process involved in early weaning has yet to be carefully analyzed. Certainly, biologic variables are involved, such as maternal nutritional status, maternal nutrient intake, and volume and quality of milk produced. These factors have not been well studied, and they are presumably influenced by psychological, social, cultural, and economic factors. Vahlquist,55 writing in the introduction to the WHO Collaborative Study on Breast-Feeding, noted, "Whereas, up to the 1960's it had been widely held that the decline in breast-feeding was a `fact of modern life,' this premise began to be increasingly questioned, and it was wondered whether the trend was really irreversible." The stakes in reversing the trend are great, as breast-feeding is the safest, most economical way to promote infant health and sound nutrition. Since then, the literature on the determinants of infant-feeding choice has grown rapidly.

scholarly journals Smoking Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices among Health Care Professionals from Sulaymaniyah City/Iraq

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. TUI.S38171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darya Saeed Abdulateef ◽  
Azheen Jamil Ali ◽  
Darwn Saeed Abdulateef ◽  
M.I. Glad Mohesh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Role Model ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
World Health ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Smoking Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Organization

Background Smoking is a serious risk to health globally. Health care professionals play a key role in the prevention of smoking as they are considered a role model by patients. Objectives The aims of this study are to evaluate smoking rate among physicians and dentists from Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraq, and to understand their knowledge and attitudes toward tobacco smoking. Methods A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted involving physicians and dentists working in both University of Sulaimani and Sulaymaniyah Teaching Hospitals. A questionnaire created based on World Health Organization Global Health Professional Survey with slight modifications was emailed to the study participants and the responses received were analyzed. Results Incidence of smoking among physicians and dentists was 26.5%, with a significantly higher rate among male compared to female health care professionals. The mean age of starting smoking was 22.3 (±4.8) years. Only 7.3% of health care professionals received formal training on smoking cessation. All responders agreed that smoking is harmful to health. However, ever smokers compared to never smokers were less likely to agree that health care professionals should set a positive impact by not smoking. Conclusion Smoking rate is high among physicians and dentists from Sulaymaniyah city/Iraq, and at the same time, there is a low rate of training on smoking cessation.

scholarly journals A case based study of design strategies to explore the notion of age-friendly co-housing community

2021 ◽  
Vol 248 ◽  
pp. 03029
Author(s):  
Jingyi Ye ◽  
Zhengwang Wu
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
The United States ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
World Health ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Health Organization

Globally, the proportion of the older people population is growing and this will continue to rise. 1 out of every 4 people in cities will be an older person by 2050[1] (World Health Organization, 2007). An age-friendly co-housing is an sustainable community, considering long-term interests, age-friendly co-housing can not only reduce social welfare expenditure, but also give full play of older people’s positive impact in society. Age-friendly co-housing requires more theoretical support and practice. The case analysis of two co-housing projects for older people are from the United Kingdom (London) and the United States (Oakland). The article analyzes and evaluates the case studies by using the WHO domains (see Table 1) and then concludes the design strategies from three aspects- outer space, communal space, and private residential space. This essay endeavored to explore the potential of age-friendly collective housing for older people, that is to say, connect age-friendly concept which is a hot issue today with co-housing model to solve the current ageism and population aging problems. A single design method cannot satisfy older people’s psychic needs, therefore, this article provides age-friendly co-housing with authoritative scientific theoretical background of interdisciplinary as the data collected from diverse fields as architecture, ecology, psychiatry, ergonomics and human sociology.

Infant Weaning Practices among Hmong Women in Melbourne

1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranee Liamputtong Rice
Keyword(s):  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Newborn Infants ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Hmong Women ◽  
Health Organization

This paper examines infant weaning practices and describes the role of cultural beliefs and practices on infant feeding patterns among Hmong immigrants in Melbourne. The paper is based on in-depth interviews and participant observation conducted with 27 Hmong mothers and some traditional healers during 1993 and 1998. Traditionally, Hmong women breastfeed their newborn infants. Exclusive breastfeeding continues until the infant is at least five months old when supplementary food is commenced. Hmong women practise prolonged breastfeeding, usually until a subsequent birth. However, solid foods are gradually given to the child and common household foods are offered when the child is ready for them. Weaning, therefore, does not usually present an abrupt interruption in the infant's habits and hence does not cause much upset. Cultural beliefs and practices relating to infant feeding and weaning among the Hmong constitute a favourable trend, as currently recommended by the World Health Organization. It is proposed that knowledge about cultural beliefs and practices among the Hmong will help to promote better understanding among health care professionals who work with immigrants, so that culturally appropriate care can be provided.

INTRODUCTION

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-590
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
The United States ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
Breast Feed

This report focuses on the recent scientific literature concerning infant feeding worldwide. The first four papers examine infant-feeding practices in the United States; the last five papers focus on such practices in developing countries. DOMESTIC REPORT The domestic section of the report examines the available literature from industrialized countries that may be relevant to the United States' situation. In brief, the findings of the domestic report are that the evidence is generally inconclusive that breast-feeding has a large, positive effect on infant health in the United States. Modest protective effects may exist with regard to gastroenteritis. The evidence is somewhat stronger among American Indian and Alaskan native populations in which risk of infant morbidity and mortality is high. Little information exists on the effects in disadvantaged urban groups. The available evidence concerning trends in infant-feeding practices indicates that the rate and duration of breast-feeding are increasing, especially among the more affluent groups. The evidence is less clear among the disadvantaged. In general, lower socioeconomic groups are less likely to breast-feed. INTERNATIONAL REPORT The international section of the report examines some of the central issues regarding methods of infant feeding in the developing world and discusses the implications of the findings. In developing countries, where infant mortality is much higher than in the United States, the potential for breast-feeding to be an important determinant of infant survival is much greater. Sanitation is likely to be poorer; traditional foods offered in lieu of breast milk are likely to be nutritionally deficient; and commercial formula—if available and used—is more likely to be inappropriately diluted and stored.

The Bureaucratic Violence of the Health Care System for Pregnant Immigrants on the United States-Mexico Border

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Heckert
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Maternal And Infant Health ◽  
United States Mexico Border ◽  
Mexico Border ◽  
United States Mexico

Using the concept bureaucratic violence, this article explores how health care bureaucracy contributes to harm for pregnant immigrants on the United States-Mexico border. The term bureaucratic violence captures how even when laws and health policies are not targeting a specific group, bureaucracy can do this work instead, causing systematic harm. Prenatal care in the United States captures this dynamic. In many states, prenatal coverage is available for low-income women regardless of immigration status. Yet, the bureaucratic routes for gaining access to coverage create latent forms of exclusion and fear, leading women to delay or not seek prenatal care or to experience anxieties over seeking care. In-depth interviews with pregnant and postnatal immigrant women revealed that threats of changes to bureaucratic procedures via the likely public charge rule was shaping the use of pregnancy-related public benefits. Even when women applied for these programs, they faced bureaucratic barriers and described bureaucratic monitoring as a source of emotional distress. These patterns can have detrimental effects on maternal and infant health outcomes. Bringing attention to bureaucratic violence can emphasize to health practitioners the struggles immigrants face in seeking prenatal care and the need for additional measures to support pregnant immigrants.

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