scholarly journals Accessibility of maternal health information and its influence on maternal health preferences in rural Tanzania: A case study of Chamwino District

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilda A. Mwangakala
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Leading Role

Background: The access to quality maternal health information amongst pregnant women plays an important role in determining woman’s health behaviour during pregnancy. Yet, access to maternal health information remains a major challenge in Tanzanian rural communities especially for pregnant women leading to low utilisation of skilled maternal health services.Objectives: The study aimed at examining the accessibility of maternal health information amongst pregnant women in rural Tanzania.Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study involving 25 pregnant women, 5 skilled healthcare providers (SHPs) and 5 traditional birth attendants (TBAs) was carried out in Chamwino District, Dodoma Region, Tanzania for a period of 6 months. Data were analysed thematically using the six-stage guide to thematic data analysis with NVivo Software.Results: The acute shortage of healthcare personnel and traditional beliefs influenced pregnant women’s access to quality maternal health information. The majority of women used mothers-in-law and TBAs as their primary source of maternal health information rather than skilled healthcare providers.Conclusion: Despite the acute shortage, healthcare providers need to play a leading role in providing maternal health information amongst the rural populations. Furthermore, skilled health providers need to work in collaboration with the TBAs to increase access to maternal health information and build a well-informed healthy society.

scholarly journals Explaining the concept of maternal health information verification and assessment during pregnancy: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Safoura Taheri ◽  
Mahmoud Tavousi ◽  
Zohre Momenimovahed ◽  
Ashraf Direkvand-Moghadam ◽  
Nazanin Rezaei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Main Category ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Information Verification

Abstract Background Pregnant women use information sources for their own health and health of their children. However, despite the importance of trusting the information sources, pregnant women may not have the ability to verify the maternal health information, which could have negative consequences for their health. The purpose of this study was to explain the concept of maternal health information verification and assessment in pregnant women according to their experiences and perception. Methods This is a qualitative study that was conducted in 2017 in Tehran, Iran. The participants in this study consisted of 19 pregnant women who were selected by purposeful sampling. To collect data, semi-structured, in-depth and face to face interviews were conducted with participants and continued until saturation of data. Conventional content analysis method was used to analyze the data and to identify concepts and synthesize them into general classes. MAXQDA software version 10 was used to manage the data. Results In the process of data analysis, the concept of verification and assessment of maternal health information in pregnancy was explained in two main categories, including “Validity of information resources” and “Reliance on information resources.” The category of Validity of information resources had two subcategories of valid and invalid sources, and the main category of Reliance on information resources had two subcategories of indicators of assurance, and confusion and trying to obtain assurance. Conclusion The results indicated that pregnant women used various sources and indicators, as well as different evaluation methods to obtain information and verify it, especially when they are confused. Thus, health authorities and healthcare professionals should provide appropriate programs to familiarize mothers with credible sources, train pregnant women on standards and practices for judging the accuracy of information, and create a safe margin of information.

scholarly journals Collecting Maternal Health Information From HIV-Positive Pregnant Women Using Mobile Phone-Assisted Face-to-Face Interviews in Southern Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. e116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair van Heerden ◽  
Shane Norris ◽  
Stephen Tollman ◽  
Linda Richter ◽  
Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Face To Face

scholarly journals 4151 Understanding barriers and solutions towards access to mental health among rural adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 150-151
Author(s):  
Brandy Davis ◽  
Kimberly B. Garza ◽  
Salisa Westrick ◽  
Edward Chou ◽  
Cherry Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Rural Adolescents ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Preferred Solutions

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: There are two objectives: 1) To identify healthcare providers’ (HCP) barriers and potential solutions towards rural adolescents’ access to mental healthcare. Healthcare providers include pharmacists, physicians, and mental healthcare providers (MHPs). 2) To identify rural high schoolers’ barriers and potential solutions towards access to mental healthcare. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Fifteen HCPs will be recruited via email listserv and the snowball method. Perceived barriers of rural adolescents, personal barriers, current practices to address mental health in adolescents, and preferred solutions will be discussed. Twenty student and parent dyads will be recruited using fliers in school systems and will be interviewed individually outside of class time on school grounds or over the phone. Barriers to care and preferred solutions will be discussed. All interviews will be semi-structured, recorded, conducted in person or over the phone, and last for 30 minutes to an hour. Compensation will be $25 for students and parents each, $50 for pharmacists and mental health providers and $100 for physicians. Thematic qualitative data analysis will be performed using Atlas.ti software. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Data collection is ongoing. Anticipated results for barriers include absence of mental healthcare providers in rural areas, inability to access mental healthcare providers further away, stigma towards mental healthcare, and lack of knowledge of mental health conditions and treatment. Anticipated results for potential solutions may include promoting mobile applications to assist with telehealth and self-care. Other solutions may be collaboration among rural healthcare providers for adolescents with mental health conditions. Preferred solutions may also include pharmacists disseminating knowledge to rural adolescents and their parents or referrals to mental healthcare providers. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This project will identify barriers and solutions to access to mental healthcare among rural adolescents. These solutions can then be applied towards the creation of programs that address salient issues within rural communities with a greater chance of uptake and use so that rates of depression and suicide will decrease. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DESCRIPTION: Funding through UAB TL1 award.

scholarly journals Guidelines for Pregnancy Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Public Health Conundrum

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8277
Author(s):  
Caroline Benski ◽  
Daria Di Filippo ◽  
Gianmarco Taraschi ◽  
Michael R. Reich
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Royal College ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Limited Knowledge ◽  
The Impact

Pregnant women seem to be at risk for developing complications from COVID-19. Given the limited knowledge about the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy, management guidelines are fundamental. Our aim was to examine the obstetrics guidelines released from December 2019 to April 2020 to compare their recommendations and to assess how useful they could be to maternal health workers. We reviewed 11 guidelines on obstetrics management, assessing four domains: (1) timeliness: the time between the declaration of pandemics by WHO and a guideline release and update; (2) accessibility: the readiness to access a guideline by searching it on a common browser; (3) completeness: the amount of foundational topics covered; and (4) consistency: the agreement among different guidelines. In terms of timeliness, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) was the first organization to release their recommendation. Only four guidelines were accessible with one click, while only 6/11 guidelines covered more than 80% of the 30 foundational topics we identified. For consistency, the study highlights the existence of 10 points of conflict among the recommendations. The present research revealed a lack of uniformity and consistency, resulting in potentially challenging decisions for healthcare providers.

scholarly journals Health Literacy, Information Seeking Patterns and Perceived Outcomes among Pregnant Women in Two Districts of Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Columba Mbekenga ◽  
Reuben Mutagaywa ◽  
Edda Tandi Lwoga
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
High Level

Abstract BackgroundPregnant women that engage in information seeking process are more likely to have a high level of knowledge about their health, be confident to discuss their health concerns with their health care providers and report better health promotion activities than individuals who do not seek health information. However, health literacy influence pregnant women’s information seeking behaviours and consequently their health knowledge and health outcomes. Limited studies have explored the effects of health literacy on the outcomes associated with the information seeking among pregnant women in Tanzania. This study investigates the relationship between health literacy and information seeking patterns and its associated outcomes among pregnant women in Tanzania. MethodsA cross- sectional survey was conducted among 260 pregnant women aged 18 and above attending selected antenatal clinics (ANC) in Tanzania. Health literacy was assessed using a REALM-SF instrument while information seeking patterns while the associated outcomes were measured using three Likert scales. Descriptive and analytic analyzes were performed using the SPSS, version 24.ResultsAmong the demographic factors, level of education was significantly associated with the level of health literacy (p<0.001). The level of health literacy was better among married pregnant women than those who were not married, and among those who have high income more than those with low-income. The number of ANC visits, gestational age and parity were significantly associated with the level of health literacy (p<0.05). A significant relationship was found between health literacy with seeking health information from village leaders (p < 0.0001) and all online information sources (p < 0.05). Pregnant women with high level of health literacy strongly agree to confirm (from health professionals) the validity of health information they receive from different sources and to recommend the importance of searching health information to others (p<0.001).ConclusionHealth literacy has great influence on maternal health behaviors and the associated outcomes. Maternal health interventions targeting both individual women and the public to ensure high health literacy levels across communities are required. An integration of online/ web-based health information in ANC health educational packages would warrant pregnant women access to high quality health information.

Egyptian pregnant women's health information needs and behaviour: A qualitative study

2021 ◽  
pp. 026666692110608
Author(s):  
Essam Mansour
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Egyptian Women

The primary goal of this research is to examine Egyptian pregnant women's health information needs and behaviour in terms of their thoughts, perceptions, attitudes, motives, interests, techniques, preferences, tools, and other factors that influence their use of health information. Six focus groups with an effective size of 64 women were used in a qualitative approach. Approximately two-thirds of the Egyptian pregnant women sampled in this study were between the ages of 26 and 35, had a Bachelor's degree (BA), and were classified as upper-middle income. Approximately two-thirds of the pregnant Egyptian women sampled were able to precisely identify these needs and use appropriate means to meet them. Many of them preferred to communicate with their families, relatives, peers, and friends, particularly those who are currently pregnant or have recently delivered, via cell phones or inperson meetings. Verbal communication with mothers and relatives, friends, as well as gynaecologists and healthcare providers have been identified as the most commonly used communication channels. Pregnant Egyptian women surveyed used health information sources to assist with pregnancy-related tasks such as understanding the requirements for monitoring the foetus's health, nutrition, weight, growth, and movement, and finding suitable and affordable birthplaces. The majority of them have used a variety of technologies for day-to-day communication, particularly cell phones, the Internet, social media, and social networking sites such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Because of the difficulties associated with pregnancy, many pregnant women have stated that using any type of library to meet their health information needs plays no significant role. The most significant barriers encountered by Egyptian pregnant women in this study were a lack of time, a lack of money, and a lack of knowledge about appropriate sources of information.

scholarly journals Challenges of Women Healthcare Providers during Covid-19 Pandemic in Aizawl City, Mizoram, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-224
Author(s):  
Lalrinzuala . ◽  
H. Elizabeth
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Workplace Safety ◽  
Political Life ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Women Health

Background: The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic had a significant influence on people's health, economics, social, and political life. The infection has spread around the world, increasing the stress and challenges faced by healthcare personnel everywhere. Women health workers were actively engaged in the prevention, promotion, and protection of Covid-19, holding important positions as doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and contributing important role in various other aspects; this virus had an impact on the women health workers' personal lives, mental, physical, and biological health. Aim and Objective: To explore the challenges faced by women health providers confront during Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Structured questionnaire was administered among 100 women healthcare providers (nurse, radiographer, laboratory workers) who are working in the different healthcare settings in Aizawl district, Mizoram using online open data kit website. The quantitative data is processed and analysed with the help of Ms Excel and SPSS software. Results and Conclusion: The study found that women healthcare providers are facing difficulties in balancing work and personal life, adjustment to changes in lifestyle, decrease of interest in work, irregular supply of PPE and fear of exposure. Thus, the respondent suggested continuing working with good supportive equipment’s is necessary so as to execute their duties efficiently. The study concludes that effective measures must be taken to ensure safety at workplace. Keywords:Covid-19 pandemic, challenges, health care providers, workplace safety.

Pregnant women readiness to use the Internet to access health information about pregnancy and childbirth: A cross-sectional study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Ahmadian ◽  
Reza Khajouei ◽  
Sudabeh Kamali ◽  
Moghaddameh Mirzaee ◽  
Arefeh Ameri
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
T Test ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Readiness Assessment ◽  
Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽  
Chi Square Test

BACKGROUND Today, the Internet may be a promising tool for interventions for pregnant women. However, these kinds of tools are only helpful if users are ready to use them. OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted with the aim of readiness assessment of pregnant women to use the Internet to access health information about pregnancy and childbirth. METHODS This study was carried out on a sample of 384 pregnant women. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire. The first section of this questionnaire collected demographic characteristics of the participants. The second part of the questionnaire contains 27 questions covering the following components: infrastructure readiness (6 questions); affordability readiness (3 questions); and skill readiness (12 questions). Data were analyzed with SPSS 19.0 using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and T-test. RESULTS This study was carried out on a sample of 384 pregnant women. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire. The first section of this questionnaire collected demographic characteristics of the participants. The second part of the questionnaire contains 27 questions covering the following components: infrastructure readiness (6 questions); affordability readiness (3 questions); and skill readiness (12 questions). Data were analyzed with SPSS 19.0 using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and T-test. CONCLUSIONS The use of the Internet by pregnant women depends on factors such as infrastructure, affordability, and skills readiness. This study showed that speed and the quality of the Internet, hardware and software availability, affordability of the Internet, and access to the Internet training were factors in measuring E-health readiness assessment. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable

scholarly journals Rural–urban variation in insecticide-treated net utilization among pregnant women: evidence from 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Kwabena Ameyaw ◽  
Kenneth Setorwu Adde ◽  
Shadrach Dare ◽  
Sanni Yaya
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Demographic And Health Survey ◽  
Insecticide Treated Nets ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Itn Use

Abstract Background In 2018, Nigeria accounted for the highest prevalence of malaria worldwide. Pregnant women and children under five years bear the highest risk of malaria. Geographical factors affect utilization of insecticide-treated nets (ITN), yet existing literature have paid little attention to the rural–urban dimension of ITN utilization in Nigeria. This study aimed at investigating the rural–urban variation in ITN utilization among pregnant women in Nigeria using data from the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey. Methods A total of 2909 pregnant women were included in the study. The prevalence of ITN utilization for rural and urban pregnant women of Nigeria were presented with descriptive statistics. Chi-square test was employed to assess the association between residence, socio-demographic characteristics and ITN utilization at 95% level of significance. Subsequently, binary logistic regression was used to assess the influence of residence on ITN utilization. Results Eight out of ten of the rural residents utilized ITN (86.1%) compared with 74.1% among urban residents. Relative to urban pregnant women, those in rural Nigeria had higher odds of utilizing ITNs both in the crude [cOR = 2.17, CI = 1.66–2.84] and adjusted models [aOR = 1.18, CI = 1.05–1.24]. Pregnant women aged 40–44 had lower odds of ITN utilization compared to those aged 15–19 [aOR = 0.63, CI = 0.44–0.92]. Poorer pregnant women had higher odds of ITN utilization compared with poorest pregnant women [aOR = 1.09, CI = 1.04–1.32]. Across regions, those in the south [aOR = 0.26, CI = 0.14–0.49] and south-west [aOR = 0.29, CI = 0.16–0.54] had lower odds of ITN use compared to their counterparts in the north-west region. Conclusion The high use of ITNs among pregnant women in Nigeria may be due to the prioritization of rural communities by previous interventions. This is a dimension worth considering to enhance the attainment of the national anti-malarial initiatives. Since possession of ITN is not a guarantee for utilization, women in urban locations need constant reminder of ITN use through messages delivered at ANC and radio advertisements. Moreover, subsequent mass ITN campaigns ought to take cognizance of variations ITN use across regions and pragmatic steps be taken to increase the availability of ITN in households since there is a moderately high use in households with at least one ITN in Nigeria.

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