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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 18987

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Madhulata Singh Chauhan

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Guest Editor

Department of OB/GYN, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
Interests: vascular and metabolic adaptations in pregnancy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yuanlin Dong

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Guest Editor

Department of OB/GYN, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Interests: pregnancy and gestational diabetes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite many giant leaps forward, there is a continuous struggle with tragic and often preventable deaths related to poor maternal health. Poor maternal health and birth outcomes can be found worldwide, and improving the health of mothers and babies is an important public health priority. Cardiovascular disease constitutes nearly 30% of pregnancy-related deaths . Preeclampsia, a hypertensive pregnancy diagnosed before 20 weeks’ gestation, may result in significant maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Researchers and practitioners in the field are constantly searching for advances in the prevention, care, and diagnosis of pregnancy disorders. Developing strategies for reducing the risk factors which predispose the population to these complications, and for reducing the acute and long-term complications, are crucial to decreasing the full impact of the condition.

A Special Issue of IJERPH is being organized to present a collection of innovative, high-quality research studies focused on pregnancy health and its impact on feto-placental growth. We cordially invite authors to submit qualitative and quantitative studies and reviews addressing original research and case studies that fill in the current knowledge gaps or conduct in-depth analysis of the present state of knowledge

Prof. Dr. Madhulata Singh Chauhan
Dr. Yuanlin Dong
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2500 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

pregnancy
high-risk pregnancy
tobacco and substance use
prenatal and post-natal care
pre-conception health
feto-placental growth
chronic and gestational hypertension
pre-existing and gestational diabetes
spontaneous abortion
preterm birth

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Uptake, Engagement and Acceptance, Barriers and Facilitators of a Text Messaging Intervention for Postnatal Care of Mother and Child in India—A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

by Swetha Sampathkumar, Meenakshi Sankar, Sankar Ramasamy, Nivedita Sriram, Ponnusamy Saravanan and Uma Ram

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 8914; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19158914 - 22 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2152

Abstract

This study aimed to test the feasibility and to identify barriers and facilitators towards adherence of a text messaging intervention for postnatal care in India. Mixed methods research involving both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. A survey questionnaire for feasibility and focus group interviews to identify the barriers and facilitators to the intervention were conducted. The top three reasons for activation of service were: helped the new mother to understand the changes (95%); provided continuation of care (90%) and clarified conflicting information (89%). Over 90% read the messages daily. 80% were happy with the message frequency. About 75% shared the content with others. The main reasons for non-activation were: 30% had technical issues, 15% did not think it would be useful, 17% did not have time to activate and for 5%, husbands made the decision. These findings were triangulated through the qualitative focus groups. The main themes identified via the focus groups were: (1) reliable, current information; (2) issues and themes well aligned with new mothers’ needs and priorities; (3) expanded the repertoire of information sources available; and (4) high-quality accessible information. The satisfaction and trust rates were high. This technology may be useful for health information intervention in specific postnatal areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal Health and Pregnancy Complications)

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14 pages, 1621 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Effectiveness of mHealth App-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training among Pregnant Women to Improve Their Exercise Adherence: A Pilot Randomised Control Trial

by Aida Jaffar, Sherina Mohd Sidik, Chai Nien Foo, Noor Azimah Muhammad, Rosliza Abdul Manaf and Nazhatussima Suhaili

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(4), 2332; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042332 - 18 Feb 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4225

Abstract

This pilot randomised control trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of conducting a full-powered trial for a newly developed pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) app among pregnant women with urinary incontinence (UI) in Malaysia. This was a prospective, single-centre, single-blind, parallel, randomised controlled, pilot feasibility study—the Kegel Exercise Pregnancy Training app (KEPT app) trial. In total, 26 pregnant women with urinary incontinence from an urban healthcare clinic were recruited and randomly assigned to either intervention or waitlist control group. The intervention group received the KEPT app, while the control group received usual antenatal care (waitlist control). Of the 26 pregnant women, 16 (61.5%) completed the two-month follow-up. The recruitment rate was 54.2%, and the retention rate was 62.5% in the intervention group and 60% in the control group. There was a significant difference between intervention and control groups’ baseline measurement in the severity of UI (p = 0.031). The app improved their knowledge (p = 0.011) and self-efficacy (p = 0.038) after the first month and attitude (p = 0.034) after two months of intervention, compared with the control group. This study supports the feasibility of our future cluster RCT. The KEPT app demonstrates a promising effect in improving PFMT attitude and self-efficacy and potentially enhancing exercise adherence among pregnant women with UI. Trial registration: This study was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on 19 February 2021 (NCT04762433). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal Health and Pregnancy Complications)

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14 pages, 639 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Pregestational BMI and Gestational Weight Gain with Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Adolescents and Adults from Mexico City

by Reyna Sámano, Gabriela Chico-Barba, María Eugenia Flores-Quijano, Estela Godínez-Martínez, Hugo Martínez-Rojano, Luis Ortiz-Hernandez, Oralia Nájera-Medina, María Hernández-Trejo and Cristopher Hurtado-Solache

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010280 - 28 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3453

Abstract

During pregnancy, adolescents experience physiological changes different from adults because they have not concluded their physical growth. Therefore, maternal and neonatal outcomes may not be the same. This paper aimed to analyze the association between pregestational BMI (pBMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) with maternal and neonatal outcomes in adolescent and adult pregnant women. The authors performed an observational study that included 1112 women, where 52.6% (n = 585) were adolescents. Sociodemographic information, pBMI, GWG, neonatal anthropometric measures, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were obtained. Adolescent women had a mean lower (21.4 vs. 26.2, p ≤ 0.001) pBMI than adults and a higher gestational weight gain (12.3 vs. 10.7 kg, p ≤ 0.001). According to Poisson regression models, gestational diabetes is positively associated with insufficient GWG and with pregestational obesity. Furthermore, the probability of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension increased with pBMI of obesity compared to normal weight. Preeclampsia, anemia, and preterm birth were not associated with GWG. Insufficient GWG was a risk factor, and being overweight was a protective factor for low birth weight and small for gestational age. We conclude that pBMI, GWG, and age group were associated only with gestational diabetes and low birth weight. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal Health and Pregnancy Complications)

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11 pages, 355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Younger Age in Adolescent Pregnancies Is Associated with Higher Risk of Adverse Outcomes

by Maria de la Calle, Jose L. Bartha, Cristina M. Lopez, Miriam Turiel, Nuria Martinez, Silvia M. Arribas and David Ramiro-Cortijo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8514; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168514 - 12 Aug 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4134

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancy remains a health issue worldwide also in developed countries, since it has been associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Some data suggest that very young adolescents have higher risk, likely due to immaturity. Therefore, we aimed to assess the influence of maternal age on complications during gestation and labor in pregnant women between 13 and 19 years of age. In particular, we evaluated the possible association between maternal age and obstetric, fetal and labor complications. This is a retrospective, observational and exploratory study conducted at Hospital Universitario La Paz (HULP, Madrid, Spain). The clinical history of 279 women who delivered between 2013 and 2018 was analyzed. Maternal age and the presence of maternal, fetal and labor complications, as well as risk of postpartum depression and breastfeeding intention, were recorded. General regression models were used to analyze the contribution of maternal age on each complication. The percentage of adolescent pregnancies at HULP between 2013 and 2018 was 0.9%. The risk of all the maternal complications analyzed decreased significantly with every year of age of the mother (hyperemesis, lower back pain, anemia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and threat of premature labor and premature rupture of membranes). Every year of maternal age decreased 0.8-fold [0.8; 0.9] the prevalence of fetal complications and also reduced the risk of C-section, postpartum hemorrhage and obstetrical hysterectomy. Furthermore, higher maternal age increased 1.1-fold [1.0; 1.2] the breastfeeding intention. In conclusion, young adolescents are at higher risk of complications during pregnancy and labor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal Health and Pregnancy Complications)

12 pages, 315 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fear of Childbirth and Preferences for Prevention Services among Urban Pregnant Women in a Developing Country: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Study

by Lam Duc Nguyen, Long Hoang Nguyen, Ly Thi Ninh, Ha Thu Thi Nguyen, Anh Duy Nguyen, Linh Gia Vu, Cuong Tat Nguyen, Giang Thu Vu, Linh Phuong Doan, Carl A. Latkin, Cyrus S. H. Ho and Roger C. M. Ho

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(10), 5382; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105382 - 18 May 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3433

Abstract

This study aimed to examine fear of childbirth and willingness to pay for fear-prevention services in pregnant women. A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted on pregnant women in two obstetric hospitals in Vietnam. The Fear of Birth Scale was utilized to evaluate fear of childbirth. Multivariable, generalized linear regression and logistic regression models were performed to identify associated factors with fear of childbirth, demand, and willingness to pay for prevention services. Of 900 pregnant women, fear of childbirth was moderately high with a mean score of 18.1 (SD = 2.3). Age of partner; ever having complications of pregnancy; attitudes toward different aspects of childbirth delivery; satisfactions with friends, parents, and siblings’ care; and information support were associated with fear of childbirth. Only 33.8% participants had a demand for the prevention service, and 43.7% were willing to pay for this service with an average amount of $US 10.0 per month (SD = 72.0). Our study suggested that individualized psychological counseling and information-seeking guidance should be provided appropriately and differently for multiparous and nulliparous women for reducing fear and improving the acceptability of the prevention services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal Health and Pregnancy Complications)

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