Intrapartum Analgesia—Have Women’s Preferences Changed over the Last Decade?

Background: Global access to social media has supposedly changed women’s awareness about the pharmacological and alternative methods of pain relief during vaginal delivery. The purpose of the study was to analyze changes in women’s preference and opinion about different forms of labor analgesia over the past decade. Materials and methods: The study was designed as an anonymous survey with questions about women’s knowledge and preference of different forms of pain relief in labor. The survey was conducted in 2010 and 2020, with data collected from 1175 women in 2010 and 1033 in 2020. Results: There were no differences between 2010 and 2020 in the proportion of women who wanted to receive analgesia in labor, at, respectively 67.9% of women in 2010 and 73.9% in 2020. About 50% of women chose epidural analgesia as the only efficacious method of pain relief in labor both in 2010 and 2020. There were no differences between the two time-points in the distribution of chosen methods of pain relief. In total, 92.3% of women in 2010 and 94.9% in 2020 thought that they should have the possibility of independent choice of analgesia method before the delivery (p < 0.04). Conclusions: A high proportion of Polish women choose EDA over other pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods of pain relief in labor, and this preference has not changed over the last decade. Increasing women’s knowledge about different methods of intrapartum pain relief may lead to wider use of nonpharmacological methods of pain relief.

Understanding Determinants of Pregnant Women’s Knowledge of Lifestyle-Related Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Research indicates that a woman’s lifestyle during pregnancy influences her child’s health and development. Therefore, women need to possess sufficient knowledge regarding the elements of a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. To date, there has been little research on the assessment of lifestyle knowledge of pregnant women in the perinatal healthcare setting. This study describes the development and application of a knowledge-based questionnaire for pregnancy to be used in a lifestyle intervention trial conducted in Germany. Within the trial, pregnant women receive counselling on lifestyle topics. These topics are based on the German initiative ‘Healthy Start—Young Family Network’ (GiL), which provides evidence-based recommendations regarding diet and lifestyle before and during pregnancy. These serve as a basis for health professionals who provide counselling on healthy lifestyle choices during the antenatal period. The questionnaire consists of eight items, each of which can be answered using ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Don’t know’. The pregnant women who completed the questionnaire at baseline around the twelfth week of gestation were recruited within the host trial from gynaecological practices in Germany. Demographic variables and the respondents’ answers to the questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analyses. Descriptive statistics show that more than 85% of participants answered the majority of questions (n = 5) correctly. Questions on whether tap water is safe and the normal range for gestational weight gain (GWG) were answered correctly by about 62% and 74% of the women, respectively, and the question on whether it is beneficial to obtain information on breastfeeding at an early stage was answered correctly by about 29%. The results of the regression analyses indicate that age, gestational week, education and income are positive predictors for answering the questionnaire correctly. Nullipara and migration background are predictors for answering the questions incorrectly. This study indicates that there are gaps in women’s knowledge regarding lifestyle during pregnancy. Particular focus on certain topics, such as breastfeeding and normal GWG ranges, is still required during counselling. Our analysis shows that migration background is a predictor of insufficient knowledge and incorrect answers to the questions. Women with such backgrounds require special attention during antenatal counselling in order to cater to their needs and the gaps in their knowledge.

Knowledge About Obstetric Hazard Signs and Associated Factors Among Reproductive Age Women in South Eastern Zone of Tigray 2021. Cross Sectional Study

Background: Pregnancy complications are the biggest health problem for women in developing countries. Around 295,000 women worldwide die each year from pregnancy-related causes, and 86% of this maternal mortality occurs in developing countries.Objective: To assess knowledge about obstetric hazard signs among women of reproductive age living in the southeastern zone of the Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2021.Methods: A community-based quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted in the southeastern zone of Tigray. A multi-level random sampling technique was implemented to select the total participants from 410 women of reproductive age. Two districts were selected at random and from these districts 12 Kebels were selected at random and the calculated sample size (410) was proportionally assigned to each Kebele selected. The data was collected through face-to-face / interview with a structured questionnaire from January 20 to February 20, 2021, after it had been ensured that all ethical requirements were met. The collected data was entered into Epidata version 4.2 and then exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics with frequency, percentage, table and graph as well as crosstabs were used to present the results. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to examine the relationship. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and P-values ​​<0.05 were used to determine the statistical association.Result: Four hundred and ten women of childbearing age participated in the study, which resulted in a response rate of 100%. Leakage of fluid per vagina was the most frequently cited obstetric hazard sign (61%). Overall, one hundred and seventy-two (42%) had a good knowledge of obstetric hazard signs. Educational status of the mother [AOR (95% CI = 2.7 (1.189–6.24)], place of birth [AOR (95% CI = 2.2 (1.6–3.432)] and with a history of ANC follow-up [AOR (95% CI = 2.4 (1.13–5.6)] were found to be independent predictors of women's knowledge of the obstetric hazard sign.Conclusion and recommendation: The mother's educational status, birth site and the history of ANC follow-up were independently related to the women's knowledge of obstetric hazard signs. Therefore, the provision of information, education and communication to women, families and the general community about obstetric hazard signs and related factors has been recommended.

Ghanaian women’s knowledge on whether malaria treatment is covered by the national health insurance: A multilevel regression analysis of national data

Background To obviate malaria and other healthcare costs and enhance healthcare utilization, the government of Ghana introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2005. Nonetheless, there is dearth of empirical evidence on Ghanaian women’s knowledge about whether malaria treatment is covered by the NHIS or not. The current study, therefore, investigated factors associated with knowledge of malaria treatment with the NHIS among women aged 15-49 in Ghana. Methods The study is a secondary analysis of data from women respondents in the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 2,560 women participated in this study. Descriptive computation of the weighted proportion of women who knew that malaria is covered by NHIS was conducted at 95% confidence interval (CI). A multilevel logistic regression analyses was carried out with Stata’s MLwinN package version 3.05. We declared significance at 5% alpha. Findings from the models were reported as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and credible intervals (CrIs). Results In all, 81.0% of Ghanaian women included in the study knew that NHIS covers malaria treatment. Women aged 45-49 had higher odds of knowing that NHIS covers malaria relative to those aged 15-19 age category [aOR=1.5;95%crl=1.2-2.1]. Women with higher education (post-secondary) had higher odds of knowing that NHIS covers malaria treatment compared with women who had no formal education [aOR=1.6;95%Crl=1.2-2.0]. Richest women were more likely to know that NHIS covers malaria treatment compared to the poorest women [aOR=1.3;95%Crl=1.2-1.7]. Women who had subscribed to the NHIS were more likely to report that NHIS covers malaria treatment [aOR=1.5;95%Crl=1.2-1.8]. The study revealed that the variance in the tendency for a woman to be aware that NHIS covers malaria treatment is attributable to 10.8% community level factors. Conclusion This study has shown that individual, community and regional level factors affect women’s knowledge on whether NHIS covers malaria treatment or not. As knowledge that malaria treatment is covered by NHIS may increase use of malaria prevention and treatment services in health facilities, we recommend that the Ghana Health Service intensifies community level education and awareness creation efforts, targeted at women among whom awareness levels are currently low.

Factors associated with reporting good maternal health-related knowledge among rural mothers of Yemen

Increasing women’s knowledge about maternal health is an important step towards empowering them and making them aware of their rights and health status, allowing them to seek appropriate health care. In Yemen, the ongoing conflict has hampered the delivery of health information to women in public health facilities. This study examined rural women’s knowledge of, and attitude towards, maternal and child health in Yemen and identified the factors associated with good maternal health knowledge. The study was conducted between August and November 2018. A sample of 400 women aged 15–49 years who had delivered in the 6 months prior to the survey were systematically selected from selected public health facilities in Abyan and Lahj. Women were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to gather data on their demographic and economic characteristics, obstetric history and responses to health knowledge and attitude questions. Women’s knowledge level was assessed as poor or good using the mean score as a cut-off. Chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to identify statistically significant factors associated with good maternal health knowledge. The percentage of women who had good knowledge was 44.8% (95% CI: 39.8–49.8). Women’s attitude towards maternal health was negative in the areas of early ANC attendance, managing dietary regime and weight during pregnancy, facility delivery, PNC visits, cord care and mother and child health management. Women with primary education, whose husbands had received no formal education, who had their first ANC visit from the second trimester of pregnancy and who had fewer than four ANC visits were more likely to have poor health knowledge. Conversely, those with higher household income and only one child were more likely to have good maternal health knowledge. Overall, women’s knowledge on maternal and child health care in rural areas of Yemen was low. Strategies are needed to increase rural women’s knowledge on maternal and child health in this conflict-affected setting.

Pendidikan Kesehatan pada Ibu Hamil tentang Anemia menggunakan Media Video di Kota Palangka Raya

In developing countries with high levels of morbidity in pregnant women, anemia is a significant health problem and is one of the risk factors for postpartum bleeding. One area with low Fe intake data in Palangka Raya City is Puskemas Jekan Raya. In pregnant women, the intake of Fe is low and thus should be suspected as an indication of the anemia triggering factor during pregnancy. Efforts to increase pregnant women's knowledge of anemia can be made through improving healthcare employees with information or health education; particularly video media consist of a combination of images and sounds. Three methods have been applied in the Community Service Activity Method, including the preparation, implementation of activities, and evaluation. The activity was carried out at the Puskemas Pembantu Bumi Palangka, Jekan Raya District, Palangka Raya City, using a class meeting of pregnant women. Media or aids used in performing these activities, such as paperwork, laptops, projectors, and videos on anemia prevention in pregnant women. This activity increases pregnant women's knowledge by 80%. In addition, pregnant women's classroom activities are also very beneficial because they improve interaction and share information.

The Impact of The Strengthened Gender Sensitive Midwifery Care on Pregnant Women’s Knowledge, Attitude and Acceptance of Midwifery Care

Background: Gender sensitive midwifery services are needed by women, especially during pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium. Gender inequality in society has a negative impact on the acceptance of antenatal care for mothers. Gender sensitive midwifery care is needed to improve maternal health status during pregnancy. Purpose: This study aims to determine the impact of gender sensitive midwifery care on pregnant women’s knowledge, attitude and acceptance of midwifery care Method: This was a quantitative experimental study with pre-posttest for 1 group design. The subjects of this study were pregnant women who received midwifery care from 40 midwives, totaling 200 pregnant women obtained through purposive sampling in 2 provinces. Paired t-test was used to measure the difference in the results of the variables measured in pregnant women before and after 3 months of the intervention given by midwives. Results: Pregnant women’s knowledge, attitude and acceptance of midwifery care increased after they received intervention from midwives. The mean difference (MD) for knowledge was -2.07 (r=0.864), p value=0.000 in DKI Jakarta, and MD=-2.70 (r=0.467), p value= 0.000 in South Kalimantan. For attitude in DKI Jakarta, MD=-1.03 (r= 0.99, p value=0.000) and in South Kalimantan the mean difference (MD) was -2.8 (r= 0.445, p value=0.000). For acceptance of gender sensitive midwifery care in DKI Jakarta MD=-2.71 (r= 0.67, p value= 0.000) and South Kalimantan MD=-4.5 (r= p value=0.000). Conclusion: There was a difference and increase in score for knowledge, attitude and acceptance of midwifery care with gender sensitivity in pregnant women before and after the intervention was given to the midwives in the two provinces. It takes great attention from midwives to ensure that all pregnant women receive a gender sensitive midwifery care.