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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Promoting Abstinence From Alcohol During Pregnancy: Implications From Formative Research, Kathryn France, Robert Donovan, Nadine Henley, Carol Bower, Elizabeth Elliott, Janet Payne, Heather D'Antoine, Anne Bartu Jul 2013

Promoting Abstinence From Alcohol During Pregnancy: Implications From Formative Research, Kathryn France, Robert Donovan, Nadine Henley, Carol Bower, Elizabeth Elliott, Janet Payne, Heather D'Antoine, Anne Bartu

Research outputs 2013

This research developed messages to promote abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy and identified elements that enhance message persuasiveness. An exploratory phase was conducted in 2009 that comprised four focus groups with 23 women inWestern Australia and elicited beliefs and attitudes on alcohol use during pregnancy and motivations for behavior change. Four television concepts were subsequently developed and appraised in five focus groups with 31 participants using standard advertising pretesting questions. The implications for campaigns addressing prenatal alcohol exposure and further research are noted and limitations discussed. Funding was received from Healthway and the National Health and Medical Research Council.


Papanicoloau Smear Uptake Among Substance-Using Mothers In Western Australia, Sadie Geraghty, Sara J. Bayes, Renate Mclaurin, Angela O'Connor Jan 2013

Papanicoloau Smear Uptake Among Substance-Using Mothers In Western Australia, Sadie Geraghty, Sara J. Bayes, Renate Mclaurin, Angela O'Connor

Research outputs 2013

Background: Papanicoloau (Pap) smear screening has helped to reduce cervical cancer rates significantly through the detection of premalignant cells (Bray et al, 2005). Uptake among women who use alcohol and other drugs (AOD) is known to be low (Chau et al, 2002) so they are at increased risk of being under-represented in the adequately screened population. AOD-using women experience disproportionately increased morbidity and mortality from cervical dysplasia and cancer (Nogara et al, 2013). Pregnancy may provide the midwife an opportunity to offer this vital screening test. Objective: The audit investigated Pap smear uptake and results among AOD-using pregnant women. Setting: …


The Development Of An Interdisciplinary Research Agenda At Ngala: An Innovative Case Study, E Bennett, Y Hauck, S Bindahneem, Vicki Banham, M Owens, L E Priddis, G Wells, W Sinclair, L Shields Jan 2012

The Development Of An Interdisciplinary Research Agenda At Ngala: An Innovative Case Study, E Bennett, Y Hauck, S Bindahneem, Vicki Banham, M Owens, L E Priddis, G Wells, W Sinclair, L Shields

Research outputs 2012

Background Ngala is an early parenting, not-for-profit organisation in Western Australia (WA). Research academics from three universities in Perth had been involved in separate research activities over recent years at Ngala. During 2007, a strategic decision was made to forge formal links and articulate an interdisciplinary research framework to promote a research culture amongst Ngala practitioners. Aim To describe an organisational case study of the development of an interdisciplinary research agenda within Ngala. Methods Collaborative methods were used. An action learning project was undertaken over a two-year period with the involvement of researchers, managers and practitioners across the five disciplines …


The Use Of Naltrexone In Pregnancy In Opiate-Dependent Mothers, Sadie Geraghty, Carly Dixon Jan 2012

The Use Of Naltrexone In Pregnancy In Opiate-Dependent Mothers, Sadie Geraghty, Carly Dixon

Research outputs 2012

There is an absence of sufficient evidence regarding naltrexone use in pregnancy due to the limited range of human studies. Naltrexone implants are being used in Western Australia as a treatment for opioid dependency, and although contraindicated for insertion during pregnancy, there are a number of women who conceive while undergoing treatment. A review of the available data revealed that naltrexone is associated with improved maternal and fetal outcomes. Extensive research into this area in the form of large, multicentre trials is required to confirm the results of the current research.


The Development And Evaluation Of A Childbirth Education Program For Malawian Women, Address M. Malata Jan 2004

The Development And Evaluation Of A Childbirth Education Program For Malawian Women, Address M. Malata

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Childbirth education provided to women is an Integral aspect of the childbirth experience. In Malawi, midwives face a major challenge because one of their major roles is to provide childbirth information to women. However, there are no existing Childbirth Education Programs to facilitate this process. The purpose of this study was, therefore, threefold. First, it explored childbirth Information needs of Malawian mothers from the perspectives of both mothers and midwives, as well as strategies that would be appropriate to disseminate this childbirth information to Malawian women. Second, it developed a Childbirth Educational Program (CEP) to meet the specific needs of …


Bottle-Feeding Mothers' Experiences Of Coping In A Pro-Breastfeeding Context : The Case For A Caring-Options-Responsive Model Of Midwifery Services, Elizabeth P. Duffy Jan 2002

Bottle-Feeding Mothers' Experiences Of Coping In A Pro-Breastfeeding Context : The Case For A Caring-Options-Responsive Model Of Midwifery Services, Elizabeth P. Duffy

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The original contribution of this qualitative study is that it sketches the front-line of the contested domain of infant feeding choices by exploring the under-researched experiences and perceptions of mothers who actively choose to bottle-feed their babies. Twelve bottle-feeding mothers in Western Australia participated in open-ended, in-depth interviews. The interview findings were further explored using participant observations of relevant hospital practices and critical, hermeneutic re-readings of midwifery's professional and policy documents. The thesis argues that bottle-feeding is marginalised by the midwifery profession that currently defines its practices in accordance with policies such as the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. Bottle-feeding mothers …


Women's Perceptions Of Successful Breastfeeding During The Early Stages Of Being A Mother, Shelagh Lawrence Jan 1998

Women's Perceptions Of Successful Breastfeeding During The Early Stages Of Being A Mother, Shelagh Lawrence

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this qualitative study, guided by Rubin's Model was to describe women's perceptions of successful breastfeeding during the early stages of being a mother. The transition to motherhood marks a time of great developmental change in a woman's life. Infant feeding is an important aspect of this adaptation to the maternal role. The physiological benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby are well documented, but there is limited research on the psychological advantages of breastfeeding for the mother. This Masters research was a discrete part of a larger research project entitled the Perth Metropolitan Breastfeeding Study. This project …


Early Discharge Planning : Primiparous Women's Perceptions Of Their Readiness For Going Home, Graeme N. Boardley Jan 1998

Early Discharge Planning : Primiparous Women's Perceptions Of Their Readiness For Going Home, Graeme N. Boardley

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Early discharge for women after childbirth was introduced in Australia approximately ten years ago. Early discharge involves going home from hospital within three days of giving birth. Since its introduction, early discharge has been the subject of much debate. Previous research has argued the cost effectiveness and safety of early discharge, but little has been done to examine this phenomenon from the human aspect. An exploratory study of first time mothers, in an early discharge programme was undertaken to address how these women felt in relation to their readiness for going home. A purposive sample of twenty Caucasian, English speaking …


Women's Perceptions Of Birth Centre Care: A Qualitative Approach, Karen Coyle Jan 1998

Women's Perceptions Of Birth Centre Care: A Qualitative Approach, Karen Coyle

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this exploratory study was to describe women's perceptions of the care they received in a birth centre, compared to their previous experiences in a hospital. Australian statistics indicate that five percent of childbearing women now choose to receive care in a birth centre setting. Clinical outcomes of birth centre care are now well documented, but there is limited empirical data about women's experiences of this model of care. Seventeen women, who had recently given birth in a birth centre, and had previously experienced care in a hospital setting, were interviewed about their care experiences. Using content analysis, …


Labour And Birth Information Needs Of First Time Mothers In Malawi And Satisfaction With Information Received, Address M. Malata Jan 1997

Labour And Birth Information Needs Of First Time Mothers In Malawi And Satisfaction With Information Received, Address M. Malata

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Giving labour and birth information to first time mothers is one of the challenges facing the midwives in Malawi. There are many underlying health and soeioeconomic problems facing the people of Malawi particularly mothers in the child bearing age because of inadequate human and material resources in the health sector. This thesis presents findings of a study carried out in Malawi to explore labour and birth information given to first time mothers at hospitals and in the communities. Maternal satisfaction with the information received was determined. In addition labour and birth information needs of first time mothers in Malawi were …


A Comparison Of Three Midwifery Interventions On The Continuity And Knowledge Of Breast Feeding, Athalie Johnston Jan 1993

A Comparison Of Three Midwifery Interventions On The Continuity And Knowledge Of Breast Feeding, Athalie Johnston

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Although it is widely recognised that breast milk is biologically perfect to provide nutrition for the newborn infant many new mothers do not continue to breast feed throughout the postpartum period. A possible influencing factor is the decreased length of hospital stay, whereby new mothers are discharged home away from the supportive-educative role of the midwife before they are ready to learn the art of breast feeding. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of three midwifery interventions on the continuity and knowledge of first time breast feeding mothers at 6 weeks postpartum. A convenience sample of …


The Relationship Between Episiotomy And Perineal Lacerations And Perineal Pain Following Childbirth, Christine J. White Jan 1992

The Relationship Between Episiotomy And Perineal Lacerations And Perineal Pain Following Childbirth, Christine J. White

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

One of the major contributions that midwives can make to the comfort and well-being of child-bearing women is the skilful care of the perineum during delivery. This study investigated the short and long-term effects of perineal trauma in order to provide a basis for decision-making in the midwives' perineal management at delivery and client self-care. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between the extent of perineal trauma and the intensity and duration of perineal pain during the first three months following a vaginal birth; and compared discomfort among mothers whose perineal trauma was the result of an episiotomy, perineal, vaginal …


The Effectiveness Of Salt Baths In Post Partum Perineal Healing, Patricia Dey Jan 1991

The Effectiveness Of Salt Baths In Post Partum Perineal Healing, Patricia Dey

Theses : Honours

Midwives have advocated the use of salt baths for the relief of perineal trauma in post partum women because they believe in their therapeutic powers in an extensive review of the literature no scientific evidence has been found to support this belief. The use of salt baths bas been discontinued in favour of showers and normal hygiene in many obstetric units. The purpose of this study is to discover whether the faith of the believers is misplaced or justified. It is designed to contribute to the body of knowledge of current nursing practice and provide a scientific base for change. …


Prophylatic Cord Care: Is It Necessary?, Karen Coyle Jan 1991

Prophylatic Cord Care: Is It Necessary?, Karen Coyle

Theses : Honours

Since the evolution of 'open' cord care in 1974, the umbilical cord of the newborn has been treated prophylactically with many different forms of antibacterial solutions. Recent studies have demonstrated that cord separation is facilitated by bacteria and many of the current treatments, such as the use of alcohol, actually delay separation. The purpose of this study was to compare cleaning the cord with alcohol to dry cord care, a method of cord care which is now being considered as an acceptable alternative to prophylactic umbilical cord treatment. A convenience sample of 205 babies was taken from a small private …


Measuring Midwives Accuracy Of Estimating Blood Loss, Christine J. White Jan 1990

Measuring Midwives Accuracy Of Estimating Blood Loss, Christine J. White

Theses : Honours

This study focused on the assessment of blood loss during childbirth by attending midwives. It is very important that the volume of blood loss during childbirth be reported with accuracy. However, it is traditionally accepted that the most commonly used method of estimating blood loss is' inaccurate, This study attempted to determine the accuracy of the attending midwives' visual estimation of blood loss, during vaginal delivery, by measuring all blood loss with electronic weighing scales and comparing it to their visually estimated figures. One hundred and seven women, booked for confinement at a large metropolitan hospital, were selected for the …