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Maternal and Child Health and Healthcare

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A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Women's Health Care".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 17852

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Dr. Ping Ma

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Guest Editor

Health Behavior Department, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Interests: health disparities research; maternal women substance use; smoking cessation in low-income maternal women; adolescents and children mental health and healthcare utilization

Dr. Lei-Shih Chen

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Guest Editor

Department of Health Behavior, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Interests: health education; health disparities; autism spectrum disorders; genomics and precision health; cancer prevention and control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants and children is a critical public health concern. Far too many mothers and children worldwide still live in maternity care deserts and struggle to access essential resources, high-quality healthcare, education, nutrition, social support and healthy and safe social and physical living environments.

This Special Issue focuses on how the health consequences, healthcare access, care quality and practices of maternal women, infants, children, and their families can be improved. We aim to compile research and review studies from different disciplines that address the importance of health and healthcare issues that concern maternal women and children. Specifically, we will give preference to original research regarding vulnerable women, infants and children in healthcare (e.g., those living in low socioeconomic status communities, special-healthcare-needs children, women with disabilities, racial/ethnic minorities or rural women/children). The following are a few suggested areas of interest that could be addressed in this Special Issue: social and environmental determinants of maternal, infant and child health outcomes and care access/utilization; innovative evidence-based intervention studies; services research; clinical approaches to perinatal healthcare; racial disparities in maternal and child health; and health policy research. All types of articles published in Healthcare are welcome to be submitted for publication in this Special Issue.

We look forward to receiving your contributions!

Dr. Ping Ma
Dr. Lei-Shih Chen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

maternal health
pregnancy
perinatal healthcare
children’s health
children’s healthcare
perinatal epidemiology
policy analysis
international health
social and environmental determinants of health and healthcare

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 640 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multiple Cesarean Section Outcomes and Complications: A Retrospective Study in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

by Maha Murtada, Nasser Hakami, Mohamed Mahfouz, Amani Abdelmola, Ebtihal Eltyeb, Isameldin Medani, Ghadah Maghfori, Atheer Zakri, Ahlam Hakami, Ahmed Altraifi, Ali Khormi and Uma Chourasia

Healthcare 2023, 11(20), 2799; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11202799 - 22 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1193

Abstract

Background: Given the increase in the rate of cesarean sections (CSs) globally and in Saudi Arabia, this study was conducted to assess the maternal and perinatal complications after repeat cesarean sections in the studied population. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the records of all women who underwent CSs between January and July 2023 in three hospitals in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Results: Of the 268 women studied, 195 (72.7%) had a CS for the first or second time and 73 (27.3%) had two, three, or four previous CSs (repeat CS). The most common maternal intra-operative complications reported by the repeat CS group were intra-peritoneal adhesions (7.5%) and fused abdominal layers (7.1%) while the most common postoperative complications were the need for blood transfusion (22%) and UTIs (3%). The most common neonatal complications were a low Apgar score (19%), needing neonatal resuscitation (2.6%), and intensive care admission. In addition, 3.7% of mothers failed to initiate breastfeeding in the first 24 h. Conclusions: The frequent complications were intra-peritoneal adhesions, fused abdominal wall layers, blood transfusion, and postoperative infections which were overcome by the optimal hospital care. However, the frequent neonatal complications were a low Apgar score, needing neonatal resuscitation, and intensive care admission. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child Health and Healthcare)

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12 pages, 562 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social and Preventive Factors That Explain Oral Health among Pregnant Women in the Canton of Cuenca, Ecuador

by Milton Fabricio Lafebre-Carrasco, Millán Arroyo-Menéndez, David Lozano-Paniagua, Tesifón Parrón-Carreño and Bruno José Nievas-Soriano

Healthcare 2023, 11(19), 2664; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11192664 - 1 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1120

Abstract

(1) Background: pregnant women in underprivileged areas may face challenges that affect their oral health. The analysis of these issues such as toothaches or cavities, among others could be crucial for them. However, no studies have been conducted in Cuenca, Ecuador. Thus, this study aimed to create a model explaining how social factors and healthy habits impact oral health in Cuenca, Ecuador. (2) Methods: An observational study was performed using a questionnaire developed from scratch. Principal component factor analysis was performed to calculate the oral disease index based on the oral health issues reported by women during pregnancy. (3) Results: 1971 women participated in the research. In total, 88% reported at least one oral health problem, with cavities (34%) and bleeding gums (33%) as the most prevalent. The rate of preventive visits and frequent brushing were the two variables that most impacted the oral disease index. The consumption of sweets, age, and the belief that visiting the dentist harms their unborn child were also important factors. However, income, education, and ethnic background showed little to no effect. (4) Conclusions: The most beneficial determinants of oral health factors in pregnant women in Cuenca, Ecuador, are preventive dentist visits, frequent brushing, and a contained consumption of sweets. The main harmful factors are age and the misconception that dental visits can harm their unborn child. Surprisingly, income, education, and ethnic background have little effect. This study can be replicated in other countries and cultures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child Health and Healthcare)

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16 pages, 1874 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Effects of Mobile-Application-Based Parenting Support Program for Premature Infants’ Mothers

by Hye Young Ahn, Hyun Jeong Ko and Hee Jee Jo

Healthcare 2023, 11(19), 2639; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11192639 - 27 Sep 2023

Viewed by 856

Abstract

Background: Premature infants are separated from their parents after birth and are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Separation of babies from mothers causes various problems. Therefore, as the number of premature infants increases every year, educational programs to continuously support baby care are needed. Methods: In this study, a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design was employed. The subjects of the study were 52 mothers of premature infants (16 in the app-based program group, 18 in the electronic document group, and 18 in the control group) using a portal site for parents from February to April 2023. The app-based program and electronic document group followed a parenting support program for two weeks. Results: There were significant differences in maternal confidence between the app-based, electronic document, and control groups (F = 7.354, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Providing necessary information and emotional support through professional counseling centers’ app-based programs for premature infants’ mothers, and providing interaction through member community bulletin boards, are proposed to form an effective educational program. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child Health and Healthcare)

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12 pages, 265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Postpartum Anxiety Disorder and Depression in Syrian Migrant Women Living in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Muhammed Atak, Mehmet Akif Sezerol, Mehmet Sait Değer and Hamza Kurubal

Healthcare 2023, 11(18), 2517; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182517 - 12 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1085

Abstract

The global migration trend has brought attention to the mental health of immigrant populations, especially postpartum women. The prevalence of postpartum anxiety and depression among these populations remains a growing concern. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with postpartum anxiety and depression among immigrant women, with a special emphasis on Syrian migrants in Turkey. A cross-sectional design was employed, enrolling postpartum women who visited the Strengthened Migrant Health Center in Istanbul between July and December 2022. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire comprising sociodemographic details and scores from the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and Beck Anxiety Scale (BAI). The average age of participants was 25.73 years. The mean EPDS and BAI scores were low at 1.27 and 3.85, respectively. Notably, 97.1% of women scored below the EPDS cut-off point of 13. EPDS scores showed a significant relationship between income levels and COVID-19 vaccination status, while BAI scores were significantly associated with educational levels. There was an inverse correlation between EPDS scores and the number of cohabitants in a household. The observed low rates of postpartum depression and anxiety could be attributed to the accessible health services and psychosocial support for immigrants in Turkey. It would be useful to conduct multicenter and comprehensive epidemiological studies on migrant puerperas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child Health and Healthcare)

11 pages, 271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Identified Stage in Recovery and Substance-Use Behaviors among Pregnant and Postpartum Women and People with Opioid Use Disorder

by Hannah S. Szlyk, Anna Constantino-Pettit, Xiao Li, Erin Kasson, Emily Maranets, Yoseph Worku, Mandy Montayne, Devin E. Banks, Jeannie C. Kelly and Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg

Healthcare 2023, 11(17), 2392; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11172392 - 25 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1034

Abstract

Opioid use among pregnant and postpartum women and people (PPWP) has significant health repercussions. This study explores how substance-use behaviors may vary by stage in recovery among PPWP with opioid use disorder (OUD). We recruited 29 PPWP with OUD. “High-risk” participants self-identified as “not being engaged in treatment” or “new or early in their recovery” (n = 11); “low-risk” participants self-identified as being “well-established” or “in long-term recovery” (n = 18). Participants were queried regarding sociodemographic, mental health, and drug-misuse factors; urine drug screens were collected at baseline. Univariate group comparisons between high-risk and low-risk PPWP were conducted. High-risk PPWP were more likely to self-identify as non-Hispanic African American and more likely to report current opioid use, other illicit drugs, and tobacco. High-risk PPWP had higher opioid cravings versus low-risk PPWP. High-risk PPWP were more likely to screen positive on urine tests for non-opioid drugs and on concurrent use of both non-opioid drugs and opioids versus low-risk participants. PPWP earlier in recovery are at higher-risk for opioid and other illicit drug misuse but are willing to disclose aspects of their recent use. PPWP early in recovery are an ideal population for interventions that can help facilitate recovery during the perinatal period and beyond. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child Health and Healthcare)

16 pages, 290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterizing Social Determinants of Maternal and Child Health: A Qualitative Community Health Needs Assessment in Underserved Areas

by Sara Rizvi Jafree, Gulzar Shah, Rubeena Zakar, Anam Muzamill, Humna Ahsan, Syeda Khadija Burhan, Ambreen Javed and Rana Rubab Durrani

Healthcare 2023, 11(15), 2224; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11152224 - 7 Aug 2023

Viewed by 2056

Abstract

This study aimed to identify social determinants of maternal and child health (SDoH) in Pakistan. Using a qualitative study design, data were collected from community members in seven underserved areas of Lahore City, Pakistan. A total of 22 qualitative in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted. The participants included basic health unit healthcare staff, women of reproductive ages, male family members, mothers-in-law, and religious leaders. We found that maternal and child health is adversely affected by the following socioeconomic and environmental barriers: (i) poor housing quality and sanitation; (ii) inadequate food supply and safety; (iii) unsatisfactory public sector school services; (iv) a lack of safety and security; (v) scarce poverty alleviation efforts and loan schemes; (vi) unsatisfactory transport and internet services; and (vii) inadequate health services. The targets for maternal and child health in Pakistan cannot be met without close coordination between the primary health sector, local governance, and macro state structures, which collectively must monitor and improve housing adequacy, food security, public sector services (primary healthcare services, public schooling, public transport, and public internet access), overall safety, and poverty emergence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child Health and Healthcare)

12 pages, 247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Healthcare Workers’ Perceptions on the “SaferBirths Bundle of Care”: A Qualitative Study

by Paschal Mdoe, Estomih Mduma, Sara Rivenes Lafontan, Hege Ersdal, Catherine Massay, Vickfarajaeli Daudi, Damas Kayera, Shally Mwashemela, Robert Moshiro and Benjamin Kamala

Healthcare 2023, 11(11), 1589; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111589 - 29 May 2023

Viewed by 1471

Abstract

Background: SaferBirths Bundle of Care (SBBC) is a package of innovative clinical and training tools coupled with low-dose high-frequency simulation-based on-job training guided by local data. This bundle of care is a new initiative being implemented in 30 health facilities from five regions of Tanzania aiming at improving birth outcomes. Objective: To assess the perception of healthcare workers and facility leaders on the “SaferBirths Bundle of Care” towards saving women’s and newborns’ lives at birth. Method: We used a qualitative approach using focused group discussion (FGD) and individual interviews. A total of 21 FGD and 43 individual interviews were conducted between August and November 2022. In total, 94 midwives and 12 doctors were involved, some of whom were in leadership roles. The framework method for the analysis of qualitative data was used for analysis. Results: Healthcare workers and facility leaders received the bundle well and regarded it as effective in saving lives and improving healthcare provision. Five themes emerged as facilitators to the acceptance of the bundle: (1) the bundle is appropriate to our needs, (2) the training modality and data use fit our context, (3) use of champions and periodic mentorship, (4) learning from our mistakes, and (5) clinical and training tools are of high quality but can be further improved. Conclusion: The relevance of SaferBirths Bundle of Care in addressing maternal and perinatal deaths, the quality and modality of training, and the culture that enhances learning from mistakes were among the facilitators of the acceptability of the SBBC. A well-accepted intervention has huge potential for bringing the intended impact in health provision. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child Health and Healthcare)

8 pages, 232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Common Traditions, Practices, and Beliefs Related to Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health in Morocco

by Chaimae Moujahid, Jack E. Turman, Jr. and Loubna Amahdar

Healthcare 2023, 11(5), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11050769 - 6 Mar 2023

Viewed by 2313

Abstract

The cultural context influences women’s antenatal care and postpartum knowledge. This study aims to determine the traditional practices related to maternal health in Morocco. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 37 women from three different Moroccan regions on the first postpartum day. We used thematic content to analyze data, and an a priori coding framework was created utilizing the pertinent literature. Beliefs regarding pregnancy and postpartum positively affect maternal health, such as family support, prolonged rest for health recovery, and specific dietary precautions according to the mode of delivery of the new mother. However, some practices may negatively affect maternal health, such as cold postpartum treatment through traditional medicine and not seeking prenatal care after the first pregnancy experience. Such practices include painting newborns with henna, using kohl and oil to hasten the umbilical cord’s descent, and producing solutions based on chicken throat to cure respiratory ailments in newborns that might harm their health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child Health and Healthcare)

18 pages, 3213 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Burden in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome at Global, Regional, and National Levels from 1990 to 2019

by Yong Gao, Haobiao Liu, Lichun Qiao, Jiawei Liang, Haoyan Yao, Xue Lin and Yane Gao

Healthcare 2023, 11(4), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11040562 - 14 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3612

Abstract

Increasing attention has recently been paid to the harm of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to women. However, due to the inconsistency of global clinical diagnostic standards and the differing allocation of medical resources among different regions, there is a lack of comprehensive estimation of the global incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of PCOS. Thus, it is difficult to assess the disease burden. We extracted PCOS disease data from 1990 to 2019 from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 and estimated the incidence, DALYs, and the corresponding age-standardized rates (ASRs) of PCOS, as well as the socio-demographic index (SDI) quintiles, to describe epidemiological trends at the global level, encompassing 21 regions and 204 countries and territories. Globally, the incidence and DALYs of PCOS have increased. Its ASR also shows an increasing trend. Among them, the high SDI quintile seems relatively stable, whereas other SDI quintiles are constantly rising over time. Our research has provided clues regarding the disease pattern and epidemic trend of PCOS and analyzed the possible causes of disease burden in some specific countries and territories, which may have some value in health resource allocation and health policy formulation and prevention strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child Health and Healthcare)

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12 pages, 694 KiB

Open AccessReview

Role of First Trimester Screening Biochemical Markers to Predict Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders and SGA Neonates—A Narrative Review

by Wojciech Górczewski, Joanna Górecka, Magdalena Massalska-Wolska, Magdalena Staśkiewicz, Dariusz Borowski, Hubert Huras and Magda Rybak-Krzyszkowska

Healthcare 2023, 11(17), 2454; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11172454 - 1 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1518

Abstract

Early recognition of high-risk pregnancies through biochemical markers may promote antenatal surveillance, resulting in improved pregnancy outcomes. The goal of this study is to evaluate the possibilities of using biochemical markers during the first trimester of pregnancy in the prediction of hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPD) and the delivery of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates. A comprehensive search was conducted on key databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, for articles relating to the use of biochemical markers in the prediction of HPD and SGA. The findings show that changes in the levels of biomarkers in the early pregnancy phases could be an important indicator of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The literature shows that low PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A) and PlGF (placental growth factor) levels, low alkaline phosphatase (AP), higher sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like Tyrosine Kinase-1) levels, higher AFP (alfa fetoprotein) levels, and elevated levels of inflammatory markers such as β-HGC (free beta human chorionic gonadotropin), interferon-gamma (INF-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) may be associated with risks including the onset of HPD, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and delivery of SGA neonates. Comparatively, PAPP-A and PlGF appear to be the most important biochemical markers for the prediction of SGA and HPD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child Health and Healthcare)

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