Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons^™

Reflection And Literature Review On Loving Choices Pregnancy Center Internship, Madison Stave

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis involves a personal reflection and literature review of a nurse internship at Loving Choices Pregnancy Center in Fayetteville, AR. The purpose of this internship was to provide a learning experience in women’s and obstetrical health. Responsibilities included completing community resource projects and assisting staff and nurses in the Care Center and Pregnancy Clinic. To satisfy honors requirements, five learning objectives were created during the internship. These objectives were all met and reflected upon in the first part of this thesis. The second portion of this thesis involves a literature review of the socioeconomic and health-related risks of …

Implementing A Community-Based Breastfeeding And Infant Support Tent At University Of Arkansas Athletic Events, Moranda Clark

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Breastfeeding is such an important role in a mother and baby’s relationship as it establishes a unique bond while also providing health benefits for both parties involved. Unfortunately, many women are discriminated against for trying to breastfeed in public and with little to no designated breastfeeding areas or sanitary places in such spaces; they are left with very few viable options. During the last year I have been completing an internship surrounding the subject of breastfeeding and have helped to implement a breastfeeding and infant support tent at University of Arkansas athletic events. My work has included extensive research, lactation …

Addressing Barriers To Maternal Healthcare For Marshallese Islanders In Northwest Arkansas: An Internship Experience, Victoria Richardson

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Marshallese community is a rapidly growing population in Northwest Arkansas. Approximately 12,000 people migrated from the Marshall Islands and settled in the state of Arkansas due to the signing of the Compact of Free Association (COFA) in 1986. Although the population in Northwest Arkansas is experiencing rapid growth, there are significant health disparities that coincide with it. Due to vast cultural differences, language barriers, low economic status, and political barriers, the Marshallese community suffers from prenatal health inequalities and poor maternal and fetal outcomes, including low birth-weight infants, premature births, and increased infant mortality. During my internship, I provided …

Does Pre-Pregnancy Bmi Predict Transfer To A Hospital From A Birth Center For Pain Management?, Audrey Fleenor

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background:Birth centers are staffed predominantly by midwives and nurses who care for a patient population consisting of low-risk pregnancies. The American Association of Birth Centers requires that the birth center has an agreement with a local hospital to transfer patients if need-be before, during or after delivery in case any complications arise that may result in needing alternative care (Rathbun, 2017). The rate of obesity in the United States has been rising for years. Obesity affects overall health as well as a woman’s pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. Overall, an obese individual does not prioritize physical exercise and lacks healthy …

Willow Creek Women's Hospital Internship, Destinee Ross

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

While the use of midwifery is proven to improve outcomes for low-risk mothers and infants, many healthcare providers, nurses, and patients in Northwest Arkansas continue to be skeptical about utilizing midwifery care. During my internship, I worked directly with labor and delivery nurses, physicians, and a midwife at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital and provided high-quality care to women during their birthing process. This hospital focuses entirely on women and infant care and provides gynecological, obstetric, and newborn services. Willow Creek Women’s Hospital is also one of the few hospitals in Arkansas to implement a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) and has two …

The Association Between Advanced Maternal Age And Short Interpregnancy Intervals On Preterm Labor, Hannah N. Burns, Kristi L. Duchanois

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Background: Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal and infant mortality and has become a major health concern due to the increasing rates of infant deaths in the United States (WHO, 2017). Studying maternal risk factors for preterm labor provides insight to this obscure condition and can assist in the identification of high risk women, as well as facilitate appropriate pregnancy planning. Purpose: Although research can be found on interpregnancy intervals and maternal age as independent risk factors for premature labor, gaps exist within the relation of these variables. This study was done to investigate whether there is …

The Association Between Advanced Maternal Age And Short Interpregnancy Intervals On Preterm Labor, Kristi L. Duchanois, Hannah N. Burns

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal and infant mortality and has become a major health concern due to the increasing rates of infant deaths in the United States (WHO, 2017). Studying maternal risk factors for preterm labor provides insight to this obscure condition and can assist in the identification of high risk women, as well as facilitate appropriate pregnancy planning. Purpose: Although research can be found on interpregnancy intervals and maternal age as independent risk factors for premature labor, gaps exist within the relation of these variables. This study was done to investigate whether there is a …

Marshallese Beliefs, Perceptions, And Practices Related To Child Feeding Among Marshallese In The United States: Implications For Childhood Obesity, Kelly Vowell Johnson, Allison L. Scott, Marilou Shreve, Britni L. Ayers, Victoria S. Seaton, Pearl A. Mcelfish

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Obesity affects more than 40 million children globally. Efforts to promote proper nutrition in an attempt to reduce childhood obesity should consider maternal beliefs and cultural customs around food. Little is known regarding child feeding, including weaning practices and foods consumed in the first years of life among Marshallese children, a sub-group of Pacific Islanders, residing in the United States.

This study aims to explore the influences on introduction of complementary foods among Marshallese mothers and caregivers residing in the United States, to serve as the basis for promotion of improved nutrition. Focus groups and demographic surveys were conducted with …

Effects Of An Educational Intervention On Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates In Marshallese Mothers Residing In The U.S., Connor K. Otto

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: The largest population of Marshallese immigrants in the Contiguous U.S. resides in Northwest Arkansas. Despite adequate access to healthcare, the Marshallese face many health disparities, perhaps partly due to the language barrier they face in healthcare settings and education. Regarding breastfeeding rates, women in the Marshall Islands have a significantly higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding than in Marshallese women residing in the U.S. who face cultural barriers. Breastfeeding is positively correlated to many benefits for infants and is recommended exclusively for at least 6 months by pediatric policy organizations.

Objective: The purpose of this research is to examine breastfeeding …

Nurses' Breastfeeding Knowledge And Confidence After Education Session, Anna Caroline Tillman

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Education is an essential part of the nursing profession. Nurses should be teaching their patients every day, ensuring they understand the most reliable evidence-based practices. In breastfeeding education, however, there is a lack of education to expectant mothers on common breastfeeding methods, how to overcome common barriers, and general breastfeeding knowledge. If nurses can be effectively educated in breastfeeding knowledge and build their confidence in teaching their patients, then mothers will receive more thorough and helpful breastfeeding education. The hope in educating both nurses and mothers is to increase breastfeeding exclusivity rates to meet Healthy People2020 goals.

Objective: The …

Causes Of Late Preterm Infant Hospital Readmission Rates In Relation To Feeding, Kaitlyn Reid

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Background:

In the U.S., late preterm (LP) births, which occur at 34^0/7-36^6/7 weeks gestation, make up the largest and fastest-growing group of preterm births. Although there is a trend of increased rates of LP infant readmissions compared to term infant readmissions, the relationship between LP infant morbidities and method of feeding has not been extensively studied.

Objective:

The purposes of this study were to 1) identify the primary causes of LP infant hospital readmissions and, 2) correlate the primary causes of LP infant hospital readmissions with the method of feeding.

Methods:

The design of this nonexperimental …

Influence Of Social And Economic Factors On Elementary Student Health In Northwest Arkansas, Megan Marks

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

A child’s wellbeing is influenced by many factors related to the environment they are raised in. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between a child’s social and economic factors and his or her health. A convenience sample of 588 2nd and 4th grade children was taken from three elementary schools in Springdale Independent School District. Health status was represented by calculations of each child’s body mass index (BMI) and number of days counted absent from school. Socioeconomic and demographic factors examined include the child’s grade level, gender, ethnicity, number of parents over the household, number of …

Intergenerational Hispanic Perceptions Of Childhood Obesity, Janelle Weiss

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Childhood obesity is on the rise in the United States especially among minority families. This study investigates how Hispanic parents perceive their child's weight based on years of acculturation, education level, age, child’s gender and 1^st or 2^nd generation status.

Objective: To assess if there are differences in perception between more acculturated Hispanic immigrants and their less acculturated counterparts.

Methods: Data were collected using the Child's Body Image Scale. Participants were asked to arrange the images based on a series of questions inquiring about their perception of their child and health in general. BMI's were then …

The Influence Of Socioeconomic Status And Ethnicity On Body Mass Index In Children In Northwest Arkansas, Madison E. Davidson

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat that is calculated based on the height, weight, age, and gender of a child. Body Mass Index (BMI) is an important indicator of potential health risks in children. Determining correlations between ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and BMI may assist in identifying children at risk for comorbidities associated with either an elevated or low BMI. An elevated BMI may lead to complications later in life such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, obesity in adulthood, and psychosocial issues (Geason & Dodd, 2009). On the other hand, a low BMI could lead to …

The Influence Of Birth Weight On Body Mass Index In Young Children In Northwest Arkansas, Margaret Frame

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a screening tool to measure body fat that is calculated based on the height, weight, age, and gender of a child. Being overweight as a child is defined as having a BMI between the 85^th and 95^th percentiles. Obesity is defined as having a BMI at or above the 95^th percentile (“Basics About Childhood Obesity,” 2012). Having a high BMI comes with an increased risk of multiple co-morbidities, both physical and psychosocial (Pulgarón, 2013). Birth weight has been presumed to play a role in the prevalence of obesity in children. The purpose …

Educated Birth: Beliefs Vs. Outcomes, Lauren Presley

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

“Our infant mortality rate is a national embarrassment.”¹ The words seem shocking and harsh across the headline of a 2014 Washington Post article. The thought of America not only not being the best at something, but falling upsettingly behind, is a foreign concept to many who view America as a nation inferior to none. However, the statistics on infant mortality rate tell the stark truth that of 26 “wealthy” countries, the U.S. ranks last, with a sobering 6.1 deaths per 1,000 live infant births.²

Part of the Healthy People 2020 Objectives is to reduce the rate of infant …

Common Factors In Unplanned Cesarean Section, Lauren C. Compton

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Obstetrical delivery by cesarean section is a prevalent form of delivery. Whether clinically indicated or by maternal request, cesarean delivery rates in the United States have risen to account for over a third of all deliveries. Cesarean section procedures are often clinically indicated and occur because of fetal factors, but they can also be elected by maternal request. The aims of this study are to analyze the frequency of the factors in the study questions that are associated with unplanned cesarean section procedures and to compare the frequency of these factors per cesarean section with the time of day the …

The Impact Of Breastfeeding Education: A Retrospective Look At Breastfeeding Education And Breastfeeding Rates, Hannah Newell

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Breastfeeding is associated with improved health outcomes for both mother and child. Not only does it provide optimal nutrition for the infant, it also encourages an intimate maternal-infant bonding experience that establishes the basis for parenting and interaction. Major medical organizations including the Surgeon General’s Healthy People 2020 have an aim of increasing the number of women who initiate breastfeeding, and a recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding for at least one year. While most women are aware that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for infants, they often lack knowledge regarding the …

The Rates Of Mothers Who Continually Breastfeed After Implemented Breastfeeding Teaching, Katherine L. Moore

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Many mothers are unaware of the benefits of breastfeeding. This lack of knowledge leads to an inability to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the potential source of nutrition their infant will receive during his or her first months of life. Many mothers never even attempt to breastfeed their infant. Even among the mothers who do initially choose to breastfeed, the majority deviate to other forms of feeding early in the postpartum period. Despite the fact that most major medical organizations encourage exclusive breastfeeding through the first six months of an infant’s life, the CDC report for 2013 claims the …

Factors Influencing Breastfeeding In A Hospital Setting, Mary Smith

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

Breastfeeding is promoted across the globe as the optimum method of infant feeding (World Health Organization, WHO, 2003). Though there is a plethora of published benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mother, breastfeeding rates are below the national goal of 75% for Healthy People 2010 during early postpartum and considerably lower at six months and at one year (Li et al., 2005; HHS, 2000). Arkansas is significantly below the national average and goals, with only 60% of mothers ever breastfeeding versus 74% nationally (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 2008). To meet these goals nationally and on a state …