Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy: Reliability of internet sources of information

Introduction. Health education of women of childbearing age has been shown to be an acceptable approach to the prevention of toxoplasmosis, the most frequent congenitally transmitted parasitic infection. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Internet as a source of health education on toxoplasmosis in pregnancy. Methods. A group of 100 pregnant women examined in the National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis was surveyed by a questionnaire on the source of their information on toxoplasmosis. We also analyzed information offered by websites in the Serbian and Croatian languages through the Google search engine, using ?toxoplasmosis? as a keyword. The 23 top websites were evaluated for comprehensiveness and accuracy of information on the impact of toxoplasmosis on the course of pregnancy, diagnosis and prevention. Results. Having knowledge on toxoplasmosis was confirmed by 64 (64.0%) examined women, 40.6% (26/64) of whom learned about toxoplasmosis through the Internet, 48.4% from physicians, and 10.9% from friends. Increase in the degree of education was found to be associated with the probability that pregnant women would be informed via the Internet (RR=3.15, 95% CI=1.27-7.82, p=0.013). Analysis of four interactive websites (allowing users to ask questions) showed that routes of infection were the most common concern, particularly the risk presented by pet cats and dogs, followed by the diagnosis of infection (who and when should be tested, and how should the results be interpreted). Of 20 sites containing educational articles, only seven were authorized and two listed sources. Evaluation confirmed that information relevant to pregnant women was significantly more accurate than comprehensive, but no site gave both comprehensive and completely accurate information. Only four sites (20%) were good sources of information for pregnant women. Conclusion. Internet has proved itself as an important source of information. However, despite numerous websites, only a few offer reliable information to the Serbian (or Croat) speaking community, and none present complete and accurate information relevant to pregnant women.

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Evaluation of Thyroid Function in Pregnant Women Using Automated Immunoassays

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1093/clinchem/hvab009 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

K Aaron Geno ◽

Matthew S Reed ◽

Mark A Cervinski ◽

Robert D Nerenz

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Equilibrium Dialysis ◽

Reference Interval ◽

First Trimester ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Free Thyroxine ◽

Specific Reference ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Thyroid Autoantibody ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Automated free thyroxine (FT4) immunoassays are widely available, but professional guidelines discourage their use in pregnant women due to theoretical under-recoveries attributed to increased thyroid hormone binding capacity and instead advocate the use of total T4 (TT4) or free thyroxine index (FTI). The impact of this recommendation on the classification of thyroid status in apparently euthyroid pregnant patients was evaluated. Methods After excluding specimens with thyroid autoantibody concentrations above reference limits, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), FT4, TT4, and T-uptake were measured on the Roche Cobas® platform in remnant clinical specimens from at least 147 nonpregnant women of childbearing age and pregnant women at each trimester. Split-sample comparisons of FT4 as measured by the Cobas and equilibrium dialysis were performed. Results FT4 decreased with advancing gestational age by both immunoassay and equilibrium dialysis. TSH declined during the first trimester, remained constant in the second, and increased throughout the third, peaking just before delivery. Interpretation of TT4 concentrations using 1.5-times the nonpregnant reference interval classified 13.6% of first trimester specimens below the lower reference limit despite TSH concentrations within trimester-specific reference intervals. Five FTI results from 480 pregnant individuals (about 1.0%) fell outside the manufacturer’s reference interval. Conclusions Indirect FT4 immunoassay results interpreted in the context of trimester-specific reference intervals provide a practical and viable alternative to TT4 or FTI. Declining FT4 and increasing TSH concentrations near term suggest that declining FT4 is not an analytical artifact but represents a true physiological change in preparation for labor and delivery.

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Evidence of an Open Government Data Portal Impact on the Public Sphere

International Journal of Electronic Government Research ◽

10.4018/ijegr.2016070102 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 21-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rui Pedro Lourenço

Keyword(s):

Public Sphere ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Research Effort ◽

Open Government ◽

The Internet ◽

The Public ◽

Open Government Data ◽

The Public Sphere ◽

Google Search ◽

The Impact

Data portals are being created as part of open government strategies to increase transparency. But although the potential of the internet to increase transparency (as data disclosure) has been widely considered in the literature, there is no reported evidence of any of the released data actually being used by their ultimate recipients (citizens) for public accountability purposes. This descriptive research effort aims to find evidence of the impact of open government portals, asserting whether data is indeed being used and for what purposes. One contract portal was selected and Google Search was used to find portal references on the internet. A qualitative content analysis approach was adopted, whereby references were examined with respect to its main purpose and data usage. Evidence was found of contract data being used, among others, to identify possible situations of corruption, nepotism and misusage of public resources, support argumentation on public policy debates and, in general, to hold public officials accountable in the public sphere through ‘blame and shame' sanctions.

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Pregnancy-related health information behaviour of Estonian women

Global Knowledge Memory and Communication ◽

10.1108/gkmc-05-2021-0086 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Kadri Ojaperv ◽

Sirje Virkus

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Quantitative Research ◽

Maternity Hospital ◽

The Internet ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Content Type ◽

Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽

Related Information ◽

Search For Information

Purpose This study aims to increase the understanding of the pregnancy-related information behavior (IB) of pregnant women in Estonia. Design/methodology/approach The research involved a quantitative research methodology consisting of a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was collected from pregnant Estonian women through a self-administered Web-based questionnaire using a convenience sampling during the period from January to February 2019. A total of 300 pregnant women answered the questionnaire. The data were analysed using statistical analysis and the results of the study were compared with the results of previous studies. Findings The three topics on which information was most frequently sought were: fetal development, use of medicines during pregnancy and symptoms of pregnancy. The main sources of information were the internet and the midwife. The most reliable and valuable source of information was a midwife. Health-related information was sought mainly because it helped women make decisions related to pregnancy and childbirth. A number of factors facilitate the information seeking process. In addition, widespread access to the internet and technological skills facilitated IB. The following factors hindered the search for information: the controversy and/or ambiguity of information published on the internet and the time spent searching for information. Most women used wearable technologies during pregnancy. Research limitations/implications This study has several limitations. First, the weakness of online surveys is the potential lack of representativeness, as it excludes from the survey those who do not have access to or ability to use the internet for various reasons (Evans and Mathur, 2005; Limbu et al., 2021). Second, as most recruitment for the study took place online, there was a risk that those who did not use the internet could be excluded from the survey. Third, as the questionnaire was also shared in the Facebook news feed by the Women’s Clinic and Maternity Hospital of the East Tallinn Central Hospital, it may be that the respondents recruited through it more often used the support provided by medical professionals. Fourth, due to the volume limits of the study, it is not possible to present all the results of the study on the basis of socio-demographic characteristics and stage of pregnancy. Therefore, the findings cannot be generalized to the broader population and future studies should explore a larger and more representative populations. Practical implications This study will give some useful information to help to improve the services offered for pregnant women in Estonia. Social implications The findings of this study may inform how to better support this target group. Originality/value There is a lack of research in Estonia that focuses on the IB of pregnant women and this research fills this gap.

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What the Health? Information Sources and Maternal Lifestyle Behaviors (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.10355 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Emilie Mass Dalhaug ◽

Lene Annette Hagen Haakstad

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Information Sources ◽

The Internet ◽

Institute Of Medicine ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Online Chat ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Source Of Information

BACKGROUND Regular physical activity (PA), adequate gestational weight gain (GWG), and healthy eating are important for the long-term health of both mother and baby. Hence, it is important that women receive current and updated advice on these topics and are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the main information sources among pregnant women regarding PA, GWG, and nutrition as well as to evaluate how these information sources may affect their health behaviors. METHODS A cross-sectional study design, comprising an electronic questionnaire, was distributed to 2 antenatal clinics, as well as pregnancy-related online chat forums and social media. The inclusion criteria were ≥18 years, ≥20 weeks gestation, and able to read and write Norwegian. In total, 150 pregnant women answered the questionnaire, which was a mix of 11-point Likert scales, close-ended questions, and semi–close-ended questions with the option to elaborate. The relationship between information sources and selected variables, including health behaviors and descriptive variables, were assessed by logistic regression, linear regression, or chi-square as appropriate (P<.05). RESULTS Mean age (years), gestation week, and prepregnancy body mass index (kg/m2) were 31.1 (SD 4.3), 30.6 (SD 5.9), and 24.2 (SD 4.2), respectively. More than eight out of 10 had received or retrieved information about nutrition (88.7%, 133/150) and PA (80.7%, 121/150), whereas 54.0% (81/150) reported information on GWG. When combining all 3 lifestyle factors, 38.5% had retrieved information from blogs and online forums and 26.6%, from their midwife or family physician. Women who reported the internet and media as their primary source of information on weight gain had increased odds of gaining weight below the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines compared with gaining within the guidelines (odds ratio [OR] 15.5, 95% CI 1.4-167.4; P=.02). Higher compliance with nutritional guidelines was seen among those who cited the internet and media as their main source of information on nutrition (beta=.7, 95% CI 0.07-1.3; P=.03). On the other side, receiving advice from friends and family on weight gain was significantly associated with gaining weight above the IOM guidelines compared with gaining within the guidelines (OR 12.0, 95% CI 1.3-111.7; P=.03). No other associations were found between information sources and health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS The small number of health professionals giving information and the extensive use of internet- and media-based sources emphasize the need to address the quality of internet advice and guide women toward trustworthy sources of information during pregnancy. The association between information sources and PA, GWG, and nutrition requires further research.

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Educational behaviors of pregnant women in the Bronx during Zika’s International emerging epidemic: “First mom … and then I’d Google. And then my doctor”

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-021-04170-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Miguel Rodriguez ◽

Antoinette A. Danvers ◽

Carolina Sanabia ◽

Siobhan M. Dolan

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽

Complete Information ◽

The Internet ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Additional Information ◽

Initial Source ◽

Source Of Information

Abstract Background The objective of the study was to understand how pregnant women learned about Zika infection and to identify what sources of information were likely to influence them during their pregnancy. Methods We conducted 13 semi-structed interviews in English and Spanish with women receiving prenatal care who were tested for Zika virus infection. We analyzed the qualitative data using descriptive approach. Results Pregnant women in the Bronx learned about Zika from family, television, the internet and their doctor. Informational sources played different roles. Television, specifically Spanish language networks, was often the initial source of information. Women searched the internet for additional information about Zika. Later, they engaged in further discussions with their healthcare providers. Conclusions Television played an important role in providing awareness about Zika to pregnant women in the Bronx, but that information was incomplete. The internet and healthcare providers were sources of more complete information and are likely the most influential. Efforts to educate pregnant women about emerging infectious diseases will benefit from using a variety of approaches including television messages that promote public awareness followed up by reliable information via the internet and healthcare providers.

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Frequency of Fits in Pregnant Women with Previously Controlled Epilepsy

10.53350/pjmhs211571843 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (7) ◽

pp. 1843-1846

Author(s):

Jawad Hussain ◽

Muhammad Saqib ◽

Nadia Khan ◽

Sohail Khan ◽

Fawad Jan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sleep Deprivation ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Drug Regimen ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Keywords Epilepsy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact ◽

Epileptic Women

Background: Epilepsy drug therapy advancements have resulted in an increasing number of childbearing age well-controlled epileptic women. It is not surprising then, that the impact of pregnancy on the progression of epilepsy has sparked renewed interest. Aim: The aim of current study was to evaluate the frequency of fits or seizure in pregnant women with previously controlled epilepsy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 98 pregnancies of 84 epileptic women during the period between August 2019 and August 2021in the department of neurology and gynaecology of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. All the pregnant women with less than three verified epileptic fits, pregnancy ended with abortion and incomplete seizure or fit frequency were excluded. All the patients were referred to Gynaecology and Neurology department for early pregnancy and planning by a neurologist and gynaecologist. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 23 with p<0.05 as statistical significance. Results: The association of fits frequency on pregnancy was studied and monitored in 84 epileptic women out of 98pregnancies. About 49 (50%) pregnancies were not affected by fits frequency. The fits frequency was increased in 36 (37%) pregnancies or puerperium while decreased in 13 (13%) pregnancies. Sleep deprivation or drug regimen on-compliances associated was increased in 30 (30.6%) pregnancies. Out of 19pregnancies, eight (42%) had improvement with sleep deprivation correction during none months pre-gestation. Antiepileptic drugs with low plasma concentration of uncontrolled epilepsy during pregnancy were found in 47%. Conclusion: Sleep deprivation, Non-compliance during pregnancy, and before and after pregnancy inadequate therapy all have a significant impact on the course of epilepsy during pregnancy. With proper medical care, pregnancy appears to have only a minor impact on the course of epilepsy. Keywords: Epilepsy, Frequency fits, Sleep Deprivation.

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Iodine supplementation: compliance and association with adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes

European Thyroid Journal ◽

10.1530/etj-21-0035 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maria Lopes-Pereira ◽

Anna Quialheiro ◽

Patrício Costa ◽

Susana Roque ◽

Nadine Correia Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Fetal Loss ◽

Family Health ◽

Neonatal Outcomes ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Psychomotor Development ◽

Obstetric Outcomes ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Iodine Supplementation ◽

The Impact

Objectives Over 1.9 billion people worldwide are living in areas estimated to be iodine insufficient. Strategies for iodine supplementation include campaigns targeting vulnerable groups, such as women in pre-conception, pregnancy and lactation. Portuguese women of childbearing age and pregnant women were shown to be mildly-to-moderately iodine deficient. As a response, in 2013, the National Health Authority (NHA) issued a recommendation that all women considering pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding, take a daily supplement of 150–200 μg iodine. This study explored how the iodine supplementation recommendation has been fulfilled among pregnant and lactating women in Portugal, and whether the reported iodine supplements intake impacted on adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Design and methods Observational retrospective study on pregnant women who delivered or had a fetal loss in the Braga Hospital and had their pregnancies followed in Family Health Units. Results The use of iodine supplements increased from 25% before the recommendation to 81% after the recommendation. This was mostly due to an increase in the use of supplements containing iodine only. Iodine supplementation was protective for the number of adverse obstetric outcomes (odds ratio (OR) = 0.791, P = 0.018) and for neonatal morbidities (OR = 0.528, P = 0.024) after controlling for relevant confounding variables. Conclusion The recommendation seems to have succeeded in implementing iodine supplementation during pregnancy. National prospective studies are now needed to evaluate the impact of iodine supplementation on maternal thyroid homeostasis and offspring psychomotor development and on whether the time of the beginning of iodine supplementation (how early during preconception or pregnancy) is relevant to consider.

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Prevalence and Factors Associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Pregnant Women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Journal of Parasitology Research ◽

10.1155/2020/8855362 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Tadesse Hailu ◽

Bayeh Abera ◽

Wondemagegn Mulu ◽

Simachew Kassa ◽

Ashenafi Genanew ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Parasitic Infection ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Intestinal Parasitic Infection ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Intestinal Parasitosis

Background. Intestinal parasitic infections are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan countries. The disease burden of these parasites is significantly high among pregnant women in developing countries like Ethiopia. Poor living conditions, sanitation, and hygiene are believed to be the contributing factors. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of intestinal parasitic infection and factors associated with pregnant women. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2017 to June 2017. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain the sociodemographic and other explanatory variables via face-to-face interviews. Stool samples were collected and examined using formol ether concentration technique. The magnitude of parasitic infection was calculated using descriptive statistics. The association between intestinal parasitic infection and determinant factors was assessed by logistic regression. The differences were considered to be statistically significant if the p value was less than 0.05. Results. From a total of 743 pregnant women, the overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 277 (37.3%). The prevalence of hookworm 138 (18.6%) was the leading cause of intestinal parasitosis followed by E. histolytica/dispar 113 (15.2%). Dwelling in rural area (AOR: 2.9 (95% CI: 1.85-4.85)), being a farmer (AOR: 1.91 (95% CI: 1.20-3.03)), eating raw vegetables (AOR: 1.45, 95% CI:0.09-0.24), lack of proper use of latrine (AOR: 2.89 (95%1.18-7.08)), poor environmental sanitation (AOR: 0.19 (95%: CI:0.08-0.47)), habit of soil eating (AOR: 0.42 (95% CI: 0.25-0.72)), having irrigation practice (AOR: 0.47 (95% CI: 0.29-0.77)), and lack of health education (AOR: 0.32 (95% CI: 0.13-0.77)) were significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections. Conclusions. Intestinal parasitic infection is a major problem among pregnant women in the study area. High parasitic infection is associated with poor hygienic and sanitation practices. Therefore, awareness creation through health education should be given to pregnancy on intestinal parasitic infection and associated factors.

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PENINGKATAN PENGETAHUAN TENTANG PENCEGAHAN STUNTING PADA WANITA USIA SUBUR, IBU HAMIL DAN IBU BALITA DI KECAMATAN POLINGGONA

LOGISTA - Jurnal Ilmiah Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat ◽

10.25077/logista.3.2.142-148.2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 142

Author(s):

Muhdar Muhdar ◽

Rosmiati Rosmiati ◽

Grace Tedy Tulak ◽

Ekawati Saputri ◽

Risqi Wahyu Susanti

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Community Service ◽

Women Of Childbearing Age ◽

Feedback Session ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Expectant Mother ◽

Long Time ◽

Power Point ◽

Media Power

Stunting menggambarkan masalah gizi kronis yang dipengaruhi oleh kondisi ibu/calon ibu, masa janin, dan masa bayi/balita, termasuk penyakit yang diderita pada 1000 hari kehidupan. Seperti masalah gizi lainnya, bukan hanya terkait masalah kesehatan, tetapi juga dipengaruhi berbagai kondisi lain secara tidak langsung. Tujuan kegiatan pengabdian adalah untuk memberikan informasi kepada wanita usia subur, ibu hamil dan ibu balita tentang pencegahan stunting pada balita sejak kehamilan sampai memasuki usia balita. Pengabdian ini menggunakan metode Pendidikan Kesehatan tentang pencegahan stunting dengan media power point dan leaflet pada 67 peserta terdiri dari wanita usia subur, ibu hamil, dan ibu balita di Kecamatan Polinggona. Hasil penyuluhan ini adalah peserta sangat antusias yang mengikuti penyuluhan dengan sesi tanya jawab yang cukup lama antara tim pengabdi dan peserta pengabdian serta pada sesi umpan bali pertanyaan peserta memberikan jawaban yang cukup memuaskan sehingga dari program pengabdian ini dapat meningkatkan pengetahuan peserta yang cukup signifikan. Kata Kunci: Pendidikan kesehatan, Stunting, Wanita usia subur, Ibu hamil, Ibu balita ABSTRACT Corresponding author: * [email protected] Stunting describes chronic nutritional problems that are influenced by the condition of the mother /expectant mother, the fetus period, and the period of infancy /toddler, including the illness suffered in 1000 days of life. Like other nutritional problems, not only related to health problems, but also influenced by various other conditions indirectly.The purpose of community service activities is to provide information to women of childbearing age, pregnant women and toddlers about stunting in infants from pregnancy to toddler age. The dedication used the Health Education method about stunting with power point media and leaflets on 67 participants consisting of women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and toddler mothers in Polinggona District. The results of this discussion were very inviting participants who attended a discussion session that questioned for quite a long time between the service team and the service participants and in the feedback session of the questions the participants gave satisfactory answers from this service program to significantly increase the number of participants. Enthusiastic participants who attended the counseling were quite high. Keywords: Health education, Stunting, Women of childbearing age, Pregnant women, Toddler mothers

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Health education and nutritional diet-based mentoring in an effort to control excess fat intake

Community Empowerment ◽

10.31603/ce.4985 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (7) ◽

pp. 1255-1260

Author(s):

Siti Mudlikah ◽

Suprapti Suprapti ◽

Dian Agnesia ◽

Dwi Fitriyatul Arifah ◽

Khilyatus Shoihah

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Health Education ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Fat Intake ◽

Women Of Childbearing Age ◽

High Cholesterol ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Cholesterol Levels ◽

Service Activity ◽

The Impact

Excess fat intake causes the accumulation of body fat which results in obesity. The high cholesterol levels cause health problems and the reproductive system of women of childbearing age. Excess fat intake is influenced by several factors such as a lack of understanding of the consumption of nutritious and healthy foods, and the impact of excess fat intake on the risk of obesity, high cholesterol and menstrual cycle disorders. The purpose of this service activity is to control excess fat intake, obesity, high cholesterol levels, and regularity of the menstrual cycle of women of childbearing age. The methods used in this service activity include health education seminars, screening for obesity, cholesterol levels, and regularity of the menstrual cycle and nutritional diet-based mentoring. After the service activities, it was found that there was an increase in understanding about excess fat intake, obesity, high cholesterol and the menstrual cycle. Then, there are changes with the achievement of normal weight, normal cholesterol levels and regular menstrual cycles in women of childbearing age.

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