Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Fiona Faulks, Touran Shafiei, Helen McLachlan, Della Forster, Ingrid Mogren, Beverley Copnell, Kristina Edvardsson
Summary: This population-based retrospective cohort study examined the perinatal outcomes of socially disadvantaged women in Victoria, Australia between 1999 and 2016. The results showed that social disadvantage was associated with higher odds of adverse perinatal outcomes, including maternal ICU admission, postpartum hemorrhage, perinatal mortality, neonatal SCN/NICU admission, preterm birth, and low birthweight. A persistent social gradient existed across time for all outcomes except caesarean section.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexandra Sauter, Annika Herbert-Maul, Karim Abu-Omar, Ansgar Thiel, Heiko Ziemainz, Annika Frahsa, Stephanie Linder, Anne Herrmann-Johns
Summary: This study examines the effects of a German community-based participatory research project (BIG) on empowerment and quality of life. The findings suggest that BIG contributes to women's empowerment by enhancing self-efficacy, promoting social networks, developing competencies, and increasing motivation for change. These effects also positively influence women's quality of life, family, and professional lives.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Bonnie-Ria E. Searle, Sally S. Staton, Robyn Littlewood, Karen Thorpe
Summary: Preschool children consume a significant amount of food in childcare settings. A study found that educators in family-provided centres were more likely to use controlling feeding practices, especially during mid-morning meals. Further research and interventions are needed to address feeding practices in childcare centres.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ulrike Roeger-Offergeld, Eva Kurfer, Hans Peter Brandl-Bredenbeck
Summary: This study explored the empowerment processes and outcomes of women in difficult life situations through their participation as co-researchers in a community-based participatory research project. The findings suggest that involving women as co-researchers can contribute to their empowerment and has advantages over other forms of participation.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingeun Son, Gangpyo Lee, Jaeyong Park, Min Choi
Summary: The platform developed in this study provides users with monitoring services for their mental and physical health. The research found that sensor data from smartphones can be used to explain users' depression and anxiety, with specific features including income, location, sleep duration, and gyroscope metrics.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maxwell Tii Kumbeni, Paschal Awingura Apanga, Eugene Osei Yeboah, Isaac Bador Kamal Lettor
Summary: Majority of pregnant women in Northern Ghana have adequate knowledge about COVID-19, but less than half of them engage in good preventive practices. Factors such as education level, urban residence, and receiving COVID-19 education at health facilities are associated with better knowledge and preventive practices. Older age, education level, presence of chronic disease, and urban residence are positively associated with good preventive practices, while multiparity is negatively associated with it.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Karim Abu-Omar, Heiko Ziemainz, Julika Loss, Michael Laxy, Rolf Holle, Ansgar Thiel, Annika Herbert-Maul, Stephanie Linder, Maike Till, Alexandra Sauter
Summary: The NU-BIG study aims to examine the long-term effects, including economic aspects, of the BIG project on individual and structural levels at all project sites, as well as its long-term implementation and transfer. This study is a cross-sectional and longitudinal study using a mixed method approach.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Alexandra H. McKinzie, Ziyi Yang, Evgenia Teal, Joanne K. Daggy, Robert S. Tepper, Sara K. Quinney, Eli Rhoads, Laura S. Haneline, David M. Haas
Summary: This study compared the short-term outcomes of infants born at term to women who received betamethasone for threatened preterm labor. Women receiving betamethasone had higher rates of neonatal intensive care unit admission and small for gestational age in comparison to women who did not receive betamethasone.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Priyanka Kohli, Kawaljeet Singh, Brahmaleen K. Sidhu
Summary: Women's safety is still a concern despite technological advancements. Education for girls/women is a barrier in academic organizations. Campus violence affects educational institutions, making safety a crucial factor for parents. This paper proposes an Intelligent Women Safety App to provide a secure environment for girls and help foster education effectively.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hannah R. Goss, Craig Smith, Laura Hickey, Johann Issartel, Janis Morrissey, Celine Murrin, Ailbhe Spillane, Sarahjane Belton
Summary: The aim of this study was to co-design a targeted health literacy intervention with adolescents in socially disadvantaged schools in Ireland. Through workshops, key health topics were identified, and participants suggested various health-related capacity building actions. The co-design process empowered stakeholders to actively engage in the design and development of the intervention.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Iolie Nicolaidou, Loizos Aristeidis, Lambros Lambrinos
Summary: Resilience, as an important life skill, is crucial in supporting students and helping them cope with crises. This study presents a prototype for a gamified, theory-based mobile app that utilizes the Internet of Things to enhance undergraduate students' resilience. The evaluation of the prototype showed positive responses in improving psychological resilience and satisfactory usability.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Maren Johnsen, Claus Klingenberg, Meta Brand, Arthur Revhaug, Gunnbjorg Andreassen
Summary: The study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of antenatal breastmilk expression (ABE) among women with medically treated diabetes in Tromso, Norway. Results showed that 82% of invited women participated in the study, with no reported discomfort or side effects. Women collected harvested colostrum for their infants within 24 hours of birth, and breastfeeding rates at discharge were higher than in comparable studies.
INTERNATIONAL BREASTFEEDING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sherry Pagoto, Bengisu Tulu, Molly E. Waring, Jared Goetz, Jessica Bibeau, Joseph Divito, Laurie Groshon, Matthew Schroeder
Summary: This study aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of using the Slip Buddy app during a 12-week web-based weight loss program. The results suggest that self-monitoring of dietary lapses and the contextual factors associated with them may be an alternative for people who do not prefer calorie tracking. Future research should explore patient characteristics associated with adherence to different forms of dietary self-monitoring.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Samantha J. Osteen, Ziyi Yang, Alexandra H. McKinzie, Evgenia Teal, Robert S. Tepper, Eli Rhoads, Sara K. Quinney, Laura S. Haneline, David M. Haas
Summary: Term-born children exposed to antenatal corticosteroids may have increased odds of being in a lower growth percentile, but rates of diagnoses such as asthma, developmental delay, and attention deficit disorders were not different from those not exposed.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Mary E. Norton
Summary: Administration of antenatal corticosteroids can improve lung function in infants at risk of preterm delivery. However, there are risks associated with their use, including increased likelihood of NICU admission and being classified as small for gestational age. Caution should be used in administering these drugs, and further research is needed to accurately predict the timing of preterm delivery in high-risk women.
OBSTETRICAL & GYNECOLOGICAL SURVEY
(2022)
Correction
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maleesa M. Pathirana, Zohra S. Lassi, Claire T. Roberts, Prabha H. Andraweera
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Barnaby J. W. Dixson, Danielle Borg, Kym M. Rae, Koa Whittingha, Brenda Gannon, Steven M. McPhail, Hannah E. Carter, Karen M. Moritz, Roslyn N. Boyd, Samudragupta Bora, Sailesh Kumar, Julanne Frater, Daniel Schweitzer, Paul Miller, Divya Mehter, Vicki L. Clifton
Summary: Antenatal depression affects fathers and can have negative impacts on maternal mental health and well-being. The study found that lower social support and higher sleep impairment were associated with higher levels of antenatal depression for fathers. Mothers who reported higher physical pain and poor sleep quality had higher levels of antenatal depression, stress, and anxiety. Postnatally, lower social support was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and psycho-social well-being for mothers. While there were no significant associations between paternal antenatal depression and maternal antenatal or postnatal depression, exploratory analysis revealed that mothers whose partners reported lower antenatal social support also reported lower postnatal social support and higher postnatal depression.
ARCHIVES OF WOMENS MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Sreeparna Bhaumik, Jack Lockett, Zarqa Saif, Andrew Lai, Carlos Salomon, Jonathan P. Whitehead, Vicki L. Clifton
Summary: This study found that metabolic markers in obese pregnant women do not change with the presence and severity of asthma. However, differences in the associations between metabolic and inflammatory pathways were observed in women with asthma and may contribute to uncontrolled asthma in obese pregnant women.
Article
Nursing
Emily Aldridge, Maleesa Pathirana, Melanie Wittwer, Susan Sierp, Claire T. Roberts, Gustaaf A. Dekker, Margaret Arstall
Summary: This study aimed to determine the awareness of women attending a cardiovascular disease prevention clinic in South Australia, who had a history of complicated pregnancies, regarding their increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The findings showed that over two-thirds of the women were unaware of the association between pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease, and a significant proportion did not realize they had experienced a complicated pregnancy.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Prabha H. Andraweera, Michelle D. Plummer, Amy Garrett, Shalem Leemaqz, Melanie R. Wittwer, Emily Aldridge, Maleesa M. Pathirana, Gus A. Dekker, Claire T. Roberts, Margaret A. Arstall
Summary: This study aimed to compare the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) 10 years after childbirth between women with >= 1 cardio metabolic risk factor in early first pregnancy and those with no risk factors. The results showed that women with >= 1 risk factor during the first pregnancy were 5.5 times more likely to have metabolic syndrome 10 years postpartum and had higher risks of obesity, elevated total cholesterol levels, and increased insulin resistance. Therefore, identifying cardio metabolic risk factors in early pregnancy may help identify young women at risk of future CVD.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jennifer A. Whitty, Adam P. Wagner, Evelyn Kang, David Ellwood, Wendy Chaboyer, Sailesh Kumar, Vicki L. Clifton, Lukman Thalib, Brigid M. Gillespie
Summary: This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of closed incision negative pressure wound therapy (ci-NPWT) compared to standard dressings for preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) in obese women undergoing caesarean section (CS). The results showed that although ci-NPWT can reduce the occurrence of SSIs in obese women, it is associated with higher costs and does not improve quality of life. Therefore, routine use of ci-NPWT for preventing SSIs in obese women undergoing CS is currently not recommended.
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Allergy
J. L. Robinson, K. L. Gatford, C. P. Hurst, V. L. Clifton, J. L. Morrison, M. J. Stark
Summary: Asthma in pregnant women in Australia affects about 17% of pregnancies and is associated with negative perinatal outcomes. Revised guidelines in South Australia aim to improve asthma management during pregnancy based on severity. This study explores whether the revised guidelines have reduced the impact of maternal asthma on adverse perinatal outcomes.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Tanja Jankovic-Karasoulos, Melanie D. D. Smith, Shalem Leemaqz, Jessica Williamson, Dylan McCullough, Anya L. L. Arthurs, Lauren A. A. Jones, Konstantinos Justin Bogias, Ben W. W. Mol, Julia Dalton, Gustaaf A. A. Dekker, Claire T. T. Roberts
Summary: Folic acid food fortification in Australia has led to higher-than-expected intake of folic acid during pregnancy. This increased intake is associated with insulin resistance and gestational diabetes. The study found that after fortification, maternal folate levels increased, but hormone levels regulating glucose homeostasis changed, which could increase the risk of insulin resistance and gestational diabetes for certain groups of women.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Melanie D. Smith, Shalem Y. Leemaqz, Tanja Jankovic-Karasoulos, Dylan McCullough, Dale McAninch, Anya L. Arthurs, James Breen, Claire T. Roberts, Katherine A. Pillman
Summary: Researchers developed a tool called DraculR, which allows users to upload miRNA expression data and interactively calculate the degree of haemolysis contamination, providing an in silico approach to predict haemolysis when physical specimens are not available.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Joshua L. Robinson, Kathy L. Gatford, Vicki L. Clifton, Janna L. Morrison, Michael J. Stark
Summary: This scoping review aims to describe the methodology, phenotype, and characteristics of maternal asthma models used in preclinical studies, as well as the measured outcomes in the mother and progeny. The review also aims to identify gaps in knowledge regarding maternal and progeny outcomes following maternal asthma in pregnancy.
JBI EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Anya L. Arthurs, Dylan Mccullough, Jessica M. Williamson, Tanja Jankovic-Karasoulos, Melanie D. Smith, Claire T. Roberts
Summary: High yield and integrity of placental RNA are crucial for placental transcriptomics studies. We found that cryofreezing the sample upon collection and using TRIzol reagent for RNA extraction from 50 mg of tissue resulted in the optimal protocol for RNA extraction from placental tissue. Decidua yielded the highest RNA quantity/ mg of tissue, followed by villous tissue and the chorion. Comparisons with murine kidney and HEK293T showed lower placental RNA yield, likely due to highly dense and heterogeneous tissue make-up and potential high placental nuclease activity.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Maleesa M. M. Pathirana, Prabha H. H. Andraweera, Emily Aldridge, Madeline Harrison, Jade Harrison, Shalem Leemaqz, Margaret A. A. Arstall, Gustaaf A. A. Dekker, Claire T. T. Roberts
Summary: This study aims to assess the differences in cardiometabolic health at three years postpartum in mothers who breastfed for at least six months and their children compared to those who did not. The results showed that mothers who breastfed for at least six months had better cardiometabolic health at three years postpartum, especially those with pregnancy complications. There were no significant differences in the cardiometabolic variables of the children at three years of age.
INTERNATIONAL BREASTFEEDING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Biology
Sreeparna Bhaumik, Jack Lockett, James Cuffe, Vicki L. Clifton
Summary: This review explores the impact of glucocorticoids on female fertility, reproduction, and foetal development. It discusses the interaction of glucocorticoids with receptors in the reproductive system and their potential effects on fertility. The review also highlights the different versions of glucocorticoid receptors found in different parts of the reproductive system and their role in stress responses and pregnancy outcomes.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maleesa M. Pathirana, Prabha H. Andraweera, Shalem Leemaqz, Emily Aldridge, Margaret A. Arstall, Gustaaf A. Dekker, Claire T. Roberts
Summary: This study explored the association between poor mental health and the risk of developing GDM among women in a socioeconomically disadvantaged community, and found no significant association.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sophie M. Leech, Morgan C. Gilbert, Vicki L. Clifton, Sailesh Kumar, Kym M. Rae, Danielle Borg, Marloes Dekker Nitert
Summary: Using shotgun metagenomic sequencing, the researchers assessed the microbes present in expressed breastmilk at six weeks postpartum and found that the microbial load was low and similar to controls. The microbes identified were mostly consistent with skin and oral microbes, with some samples having no identifiable bacterial sequences. The results do not provide convincing evidence for the existence of a breastmilk microbiota at six weeks postpartum, suggesting that the microbes present in breastmilk may come from the infant's mouth and surrounding skin, as well as contamination during sampling and processing.