Association Between Mental Health and Feeding Methods among 1- Month Postpartum Women in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The rate of predominant breastfeeding was 51.3% at 1 month postpartum, even though 93.4% of Japanese mothers expressed a desire to predominantly breastfeed during pregnancy. A wide range of historical, socioeconomic, cultural, and individual factors, as well as mental health, affect breastfeeding practices. However, the relationship between breastfeeding and mental health—depressive symptoms—has been controversial. Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify factors relationship including mental health and the feeding methods adopted by mothers at 1 month postpartum in Japan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 2 Tokyo area hospitals between July and October 2014. We recruited a total of 560 eligible women. The participants included 392 women without severe illnesses or low birth weight babies at 1 month postpartum. The feeding methods were “mainly breastfeeding” (exclusively or mostly breastfeeding) and “mixed feeding and formula only”. Depressive symptoms as a mental health were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Multiple logistic regression analysis clarified the factors associated with mainly breastfeeding. Results: The mean (SD) age for the categories of mainly breastfeeding and mixed feeding and formula only was 33.0 (5.1) and 33.9 (5.5) years, respectively (p = 0.085). Women who were mainly breastfeeding at 1 month postpartum were more likely to be multiparous (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.80, CI:1.11 - 2.94), had EPDS score < 9 (AOR:1.87, CI:1.09 – 3.20), and had been desirous of breastfeeding from their pregnancy (AOR: 7.73, CI: 4.68 – 12.74). Conclusion: Our results suggested that healthcare providers should focus on the relationship between feeding methods and new mothers’ mental health. Further research must identify effective care strategies for women who desire to breastfeed exclusively.

Sexual And Reproductive Health Needs, Experiences, Access To Services, And Interventions Among The Rohingya And The Afghan Refugee Women Of Reproductive Age In Asia: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review Protocol

Background: A humanitarian crisis disrupts the existing health care system limiting access to sexual reproductive health (SRH) services. The Asia and the Pacific region is home to 9.2 million refugees as of September 2020, most originating from Afghanistan and Myanmar. Afghan and Rohingya refugees have long been deprived of formal SRH education and face decades of discrimination in SRH services that can affect health outcomes. Purpose: This review examines the SRH status of Afghan and Rohingya refugee women of reproductive age in Asia and their needs and experiences in accessing these services and commodities. Methods: This protocol will follow the PRISMA checklist and standards for quality assessment of systematic reviews. The search strategy will be sought out all relevant peer-reviewed literature from five online bibliographic databases—SCOPUS, EMBASE (Ovid), MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL, and PROQUEST— using search terms related to the research questions. The review will include qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies to understand the status of SRH of Rohingya and Afghan refugees across Asia. Content analysis will undertake following the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) objectives. The review will use the mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) to assess the quality of individual studies. However, no studies will be excluded based on this assessment. Result: The findings of this review will provide insight into the needs, status, and experiences of SRH of the Afghan and Rohingya refugee women of reproductive age in Asia and could contribute to health service planning to deliver evidence-based interventions and policies to improve SRH outcomes in humanitarian settings across Asia. Systematic review registration: The review was registered in the PROSPERO database with ID CRD42021253975.

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.

Antenatal Care Experience In Pregnant Women With Gestational Diabetes

Background: Globally, one of the increasing health problems that occur during pregnancy is gestational diabetes. The experience of women diagnosed with diabetes in pregnancy has the possibility of experiencing risks such as pre-eclampsia and polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid). Babies of mothers who experience this are also at risk for complications such as macrosomia (birth weight > 4000g). Meanwhile, the experience of women during antenatal visits who have a diagnosis of diabetes in pregnancy, often feel anxious about themselves and the fetus and the risks that will occur in the future. Purpose: To review the evidence related to the experience of antenatal care in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Methods: The method used is the scoping review. created a framework, selecting article studies with Prism Flow Charts, mapping charting data and Critical Appraisal. Results: Based on 9 articles with quantitative and qualitative research types, it was found that there were 8 articles with grade A and 1 article with grade B. The tool used in the scoping review was the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Based on the articles collected, 4 themes were selected consisting of Antenatal Care (ANC), Knowledge of Pregnant Women, Gestational Impact of Diabetes, and Health Service Efforts. Conclusion: Antenatal care experiences for mothers with gestational diabetes carry a significant risk of maternal and fetal complications and a significant risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes can contribute to potential emotional imbalances during pregnancy that can trigger depressive symptoms.

Aloe Vera Gel Compression as Breast Engorgement Pain Relief

Background: Breast engorgement is a condition where the breast becomes firm, diffuse, painful overfilling due to infrequent or ineffective removal of milk from the breasts. Engorgement usually begins around days 3 to 7 during the postpartum period when the breast milk starts to come out. Breast engorgement tends to experience by Primiparous patients. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effects of Aloe vera gel compression on reducing breast engorgement pain on breastfeeding mother Methods: This was an experimental study with one group pretest-posttest. The analysis was performed in a Private midwifery Practice in Sarolangun. The sample of this study was twelve postpartum women who experienced breast engorgement. The intervention of this study was using aloe vera gel, as external usage with 10 mg for every square centimeter. The pain scale was measured twice, before and after the intervention. Pain scale measurement was using NRS ( Numeric Rating Scale) Results: paired T-test results p-value of 0.002 < 0.05 indicates that aloe vera compression brings positive impact on reducing breast engorgement pain scale in postpartum women Conclusion: Aloe vera compression can relieve pain associated with breast engorgement. Therefore, this intervention may be suggested to postnatal mothers for managing breast engorgement.

Mental Health of Pregnant Women during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review

Background: Mental health disorders in pregnant women are highly associated with reduced involvement in support, which can lead to pregnant women having to stay home or be isolated during the COVID-19 epidemic. Here, mental health disorders are including depression, fear, and anxiety. This disorder actually had existed before the pandemic and increased when the WHO announced the COVID-19. Purpose: This study aims to analyze the mental health condition of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In the preparation of this scoping review, three databases are used, namely PubMed, Wiley, and Google Scholar. These databases were used to find the articles. The articles were considered relevant if they could answer some research questions of scoping review by using article search with specific keywords. Some relevant articles were selected by setting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following that, Prism Flow Chart was used in the selection process to find the right article. Critical Appraisal was then performed to assess the quality of each article. Those articles were further summarized by using Data Charting and compiled for analysis based on the available evidence-based aspect. The last step was reporting the results. Results: In this study, the results obtained were 8 selected articles. A total of 7 articles fall into the grade A category, consisting of 2 articles of non-randomized quantitative research design, 4 descriptive quantitative articles, and 1 qualitative article. 1 article is classified in grade B on descriptive quantitative study design. There are no research articles categorized as grade C. Conclusion: Significantly increased clinical problems related to the mental health of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic are including anxiety, fear, and depressive symptoms. Compared to the pre-pandemic situation, the increase is caused by several factors such as pandemic-related stresses arising from related social restrictions, personal health and the safety of the baby during pregnancy, and the health of family members.

Association between Tea-drinking Habits and Anemia on Pregnant Women in Makassar, Indonesia

Background: The condition of anemia in pregnant women in Indonesia is exacerbated by the habits of consuming tea. Anemia in pregnant women is still a health problem and a high-level cause of death that causes maternal bleeding indirectly. In Indonesia, tea is the most consumed beverage after water. The aroma of fragrant tea and its distinctive taste make this drink widely consumed. Tea can also be used as an antioxidant, improve skin, and slim the body. However, tea-drinking habits in pregnant women can affect the risk of anemia because tea contains tannins that can inhibit the absorption of iron. Purpose: To analyze the association between tea-drinking habits and anemia on pregnant women in Makassar, Indonesia. Methods: This was a quantitative study with cross-sectional design. The subject in this study was 36 pregnant women in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy that was chosen by accidental sampling. The analysis that used was chi-square test to examine the association between tea-drinking habits and anemia. A systematic questionnaire was used to collect data by interviewing respondents. Result: Of the 36 pregnant women who always drink tea, 22 respondents (48%) had anemia and 14 respondents (30%) were not anemic. Meanwhile, of 10 respondents who did not have tea consumption habits, 6 respondents (13%) had anemia and 4 respondents (9%) did not suffer from anemia. Chi-square test showed p=1,000 (p>0,05), which means that there was no association between tea consumption and anemia. Conclusion: Tea-drinking habit was not related to anemia in pregnant women in Makassar, Indonesia. Pregnant women may consume tea after eating but they need to control the interval, at least one hour after having a meal to avoid anemia.

Android-Based Education toward the Role of Postpartum Primipara Mothers in Fulfilling the Independent Perinium Care

Background: Educating mothers during their postpartum period could potentially help them to overcome some important phases after giving birth. The process of education is evaluated based on the mothers’ knowledge about their independent self-care. Independency is an activity that is started individually and is done based on self-capability. The independency in the postpartum care is not only important to decrease the mother’s mortality and morbidity rate, but it is also crucial to strengthen and improve the post-partum mother’s healthy behavior during the perineal care. Providing education using Android-based application called BUBI Care could be potential to facilitate a more dynamic transfer of knowledge to the postpartum mothers.Aims: To analyze the knowledge, skills, and independence of primipara postpartum mothers in independent perineal care before and after accessing BUBI Care app. Research Method: employing quasi experimental research with pre-test and post-test design with control group design. The sample for this research were 19 pregnant mothers TM III (pregnancy age of ? 38 weeks) on each group. The treatment group was educated using BUBI Care Android app that was conducted at one of Public Health Center. The control group was educated without BUBI Care that was conducted at a Midwife Practice Clinic. The research was conducted on September to October 2020. Study Result: According to the Wilcoxon test, there was a difference in the pre-test knowledge of the treatment and control groups with the similar median of 53 and p-value of 0.666, the treatment group showed their scores improved to 80 on the post-test while the control group stayed at 53 with the p-value of 0.000. It means that BUBI Care app education influences the post-test. On the other hand, the perineal care skill saw a difference between the intervention and control groups. The intervention group had a mean of 70.05 and 56.68 for the control group with the p-value of 0.002 which means that there was an influence from the BUBI Care app education. Additionally, Mann Whitney test showed that the intervention group had a mean score of 78.95, but the control group only had 49.26, the total difference between the two are 29.69 with the p-value of 0.000. It can be concluded that there is a significance in difference in the independency rate from the provision of BUBI Care Android app education.Conclusion: there is a significance effect on the intervention group in terms of Android based usage.

The Impact of Maternal Prenatal Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety on Infant Birth Weight in Japanese Primiparous Women

Introduction: Depressive symptoms and anxiety are the most common mental health problems during pregnancy. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between each trimester’s maternal depressive symptoms, anxiety, and infant birth weight. Methods: We recruited pregnant women in their second trimester. Participants’ blood and saliva were collected in the second trimester to investigate plasma cortisol and saliva oxytocin levels. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires that included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in the second and third trimesters. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was conducted using stepwise selection. Results: Eighty-one primiparas participated in the study. As the results of linear regression showed, gestational age, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, and depressive symptoms in the third trimester were associated with infant birth weight. Depressive symptoms in the third trimester predicted lower infant birth weight. In contrast, depressive symptoms in the second trimester, state anxiety, and trait anxiety in both the second and third trimesters did not predict infant birth weight. Similarly, maternal plasma cortisol and saliva oxytocin levels were not related to infant birth weight. Conclusion: Maternal depressive symptoms in the third trimester predicted lower infant birth weight. Mental health care for depressive symptoms in late pregnancy might be important for infant birth weight increases.

Health Promotion Using Animated Videos to Increase Elementary Students' Knowledge and Readiness in Dealing with Menarche

Background: Entering puberty, a young girl will experience various changes. One of them is having menstruation. Menstruation is one of the critical events in life that girls should know. It happens because menstruation does not come once and then disappears in a woman's life, but there is a menstrual cycle that comes every month. Young girls need adequate information to deal with menstruation for the first time. Knowledge should be given to the young girl to deal with menstruation, such as physical and psychic changes. This study aimed to determine the effect of health promotion through animated videos on increasing the knowledge and attitudes of elementary school children facing menarche Methods: This quantitative study used a quasi-experimental design. The population in this study was all 5th-grade elementary school students who had not had menstruation. The sample size was 38 respondents for each group, intervention, and control Result: The results showed a difference in knowledge scores between the intervention and control groups with a p-value of 0.000. There was a difference in attitude scores in the control and intervention groups with a p-value of 0.031. Conclusion: There is an increase in knowledge scores and attitudes before and after the intervention. The difference in the intervention group's knowledge and attitude level scores and the control group and the animated video preparation of menarche influence knowledge and attitude.