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Articles 241 - 270 of 3128

Full-Text Articles in Maternal and Child Health

Barriers To Care For Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome In Southern New Jersey, Gabriela Taslitsky, Hijab Zaidi, Nafisa Zalil May 2025

Barriers To Care For Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome In Southern New Jersey, Gabriela Taslitsky, Hijab Zaidi, Nafisa Zalil

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a spectrum of clinical manifestations seen in newborns due to withdrawal secondary to intrauterine illicit and/or prescription drug exposure. Newborns with NAS present with common signs of withdrawal such as poor feeding, irritability, seizures, hypertonicity, low birth weight, loose stool, and premature birth. Maternal opioid use is the most common cause of NAS and with the increase in opioid use in the past decade the cases of NAS have also increased. This study examines the prevalence and challenges associated with NAS in Southern New Jersey. Our analysis reveals that Atlantic and Gloucester counties reported the …


Health Professional Perspectives On Sudden Unexpected Infant Death In Arkansas, Laura Hansen, Bart Hammig May 2025

Health Professional Perspectives On Sudden Unexpected Infant Death In Arkansas, Laura Hansen, Bart Hammig

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Arkansas has one of the highest Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) rates in the nation, with 173.6 deaths for every 100,000 live births (CDC, 2024). This is much higher than the national rate, indicating a significant need for prevention education. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death is an umbrella term used to categorize Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), unknown death causes, and accidental suffocation in bed. SUID rate reduction can be achieved by following infant-safe sleeping guidelines, which include crib use, flat and firm mattresses, no blankets, and putting babies on their backs. In this proposed study, health care professionals across Arkansas …


The Relationship Of Peer Recovery Support Specialists And Recovery Of Perinatal Women With A Substance Use Disorder, Mary C. Talbot May 2025

The Relationship Of Peer Recovery Support Specialists And Recovery Of Perinatal Women With A Substance Use Disorder, Mary C. Talbot

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Substance use in pregnant and postpartum women is a growing issue in the United States. Drug use while pregnant can lead to birth defects, stillbirths, and problems providing positive parenting to their children. Many women with substance use disorders (SUD) feel extreme shame and stigma related to their substance use and have trouble accessing recovery-related treatment and other services. Peer recovery support treatment uses the lived experiences of individuals in current recovery from SUD to facilitate and support recovery in others. Purpose: The purpose of this review was to evaluate the impact of peer recovery support specialists on the …


The Effect Of Maternal Anxiety On Breastfeeding Exclusivity And Duration, Zoe E. Treat May 2025

The Effect Of Maternal Anxiety On Breastfeeding Exclusivity And Duration, Zoe E. Treat

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: The postpartum period, especially during the first year, presents a heightened risk for maternal anxiety. Research suggests a potential negative relationship between maternal anxiety and breastfeeding duration, though there is currently a gap in the existing literature regarding how maternal mental health impacts breastfeeding outcomes.

Purpose: This study seeks to investigate the influence of postpartum anxiety on both the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding, crucial knowledge required to support and implement targeted interventions. We expected that maternal anxiety would predict shorter exclusive and total breastfeeding durations.

Methodology: To explore the relationship between postpartum anxiety and breastfeeding behaviors, we distributed …


A Comparative Analysis Of Women’S Health In Latin America And The United States: Geographical Context And Preventative Actions, Holly J. Robinson May 2025

A Comparative Analysis Of Women’S Health In Latin America And The United States: Geographical Context And Preventative Actions, Holly J. Robinson

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Cervical cancer, breast cancer, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy complications, and gender-based violence are dangers faced by women everywhere. However, the severity of these risks can increase significantly due to a country’s geography, government control, and level of development. This thesis expands upon information gained directly from on-site experiences with medical professionals and locals (including doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and patients) in Peru, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, and further research to look at Latin America as a whole, in relation to the United States. Both the US and Latin America exhibit problems with their healthcare systems. The United States is more …


Planning For Scale: Analysis Of Adaptations And Contextual Factors Influencing Scale-Up Of The Quali-Dec Intervention To Optimize Caesarean Section Use, Soha El-Halabi, Claudia Hanson, Alexandre Dumont, Amanda Cleeve, Helle Mölsted Alvesson, Charles Kaboré, Guillermo Carroli, Pisake Lumbiganon, Quoc Nhu Hung Mac, Ana Pilar Betran May 2025

Planning For Scale: Analysis Of Adaptations And Contextual Factors Influencing Scale-Up Of The Quali-Dec Intervention To Optimize Caesarean Section Use, Soha El-Halabi, Claudia Hanson, Alexandre Dumont, Amanda Cleeve, Helle Mölsted Alvesson, Charles Kaboré, Guillermo Carroli, Pisake Lumbiganon, Quoc Nhu Hung Mac, Ana Pilar Betran

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: Researchers are encouraged to plan for scale through purposeful and guided assessment of scalability of an intervention. This study analysed factors potentially influencing scale-up and synthesised early adaptations of the QUALI-DEC intervention aiming to improve the appropriate use of caesarean section. The intervention consists of opinion leader engagement, audit and feedback for caesarean section, a tool to help women make an informed decision on the mode of birth, and labour companionship.

Methods: We conducted a framework analysis, which was guided by the scalability assessment framework by Zamboni et al., a 34-item checklist with a three-point scale. We used data …


Pregnancy Care Integrating Translational Science, Everywhere (Precise): A Prospective Cohort Study Of African Pregnant And Non-Pregnant Women To Investigate Placental Disorders – Cohort Profile, Rachel Craik, Joseph Akuze, Marie-Laure Volvert, Hannah Blencowe, Moses Mukhanya, Angela Koech, Grace Mwashigadi, Marleen Temmerman, Marvin Ochieng, Emily Mwadime May 2025

Pregnancy Care Integrating Translational Science, Everywhere (Precise): A Prospective Cohort Study Of African Pregnant And Non-Pregnant Women To Investigate Placental Disorders – Cohort Profile, Rachel Craik, Joseph Akuze, Marie-Laure Volvert, Hannah Blencowe, Moses Mukhanya, Angela Koech, Grace Mwashigadi, Marleen Temmerman, Marvin Ochieng, Emily Mwadime

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Purpose: The Pregnancies' Care Integrating translational Science, Everywhere Network was established to investigate specific placental disorders (pregnancy hypertension, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction and stillbirth) in sub-Saharan Africa. We created a repository of clinical and social data with associated biological samples from pregnant and non-pregnant women. Alongside this, local infrastructure and expertise in the field of maternal and child health research were enhanced.

Participants: Pregnant women were recruited in participating health facilities in The Gambia, Kenya and Mozambique at their first antenatal visit or at the time a placental disorder was diagnosed (Kenya and The Gambia only). Follow-up study …


Labour Companionship And Respectful Treatment Of Women During Childbirth: A Cross-Sectional Study Across 16 Hospitals In Benin, Malawi, Tanzania And Uganda, Soha El-Halabi, Kristi Sidney Annerstedt, Christian Agossou, Fadhlun Al-Beity, Andrea B. Pembe, Phillip Wanduru, Bianca Kandeya, Jean-Paul Dossou, Helle Molsted-Alvesson, Claudia Hanson May 2025

Labour Companionship And Respectful Treatment Of Women During Childbirth: A Cross-Sectional Study Across 16 Hospitals In Benin, Malawi, Tanzania And Uganda, Soha El-Halabi, Kristi Sidney Annerstedt, Christian Agossou, Fadhlun Al-Beity, Andrea B. Pembe, Phillip Wanduru, Bianca Kandeya, Jean-Paul Dossou, Helle Molsted-Alvesson, Claudia Hanson

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Introduction: Evidence suggests that women value and benefit from having a labour companion during childbirth. However, the applicability of the evidence to low-income and lower-middle-income countries is limited and varies. Thus, we assessed the association between the presence of labour companions and mistreatment in 16 hospitals of Benin, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a validated questionnaire administered to women at discharge after birth between December 2021 and March 2024. The main outcomes were factor-weighted respectful treatment score and its subscores on maintained respect and dignity, privacy and maintained confidentiality and no physical and verbal …


Measured And Self-Reported Hypertension Among Women Of Reproductive Age, Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Laura Magee, Esperanca Sevene, Anne Rerimoi, Rachel Craik, Ashley Muteti, Marleen Temmerman, Marianne Vidler, Umberto D’Alessandro, Anna Roca, Jeffrey Bone May 2025

Measured And Self-Reported Hypertension Among Women Of Reproductive Age, Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Laura Magee, Esperanca Sevene, Anne Rerimoi, Rachel Craik, Ashley Muteti, Marleen Temmerman, Marianne Vidler, Umberto D’Alessandro, Anna Roca, Jeffrey Bone

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Problem In sub-Saharan Africa, hypertension prevalence is usually estimated from participant recall. We assessed the accuracy of self-reported hypertension in women of reproductive age.

Approach In PRECISE (PREgnancy Care Integrating translational Science, Everywhere), an observational prospective cohort study, we recruited 1825 non-pregnant women of reproductive age, 610 in the Gambia, 609 in Kenya and 606 in Mozambique. We compared self-reported and measured hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90mmHg). We adjusted hypertension prevalence for age, body mass index, education, parity, and antihypertensive medicine and oral contraceptive use.

Local setting PRECISE was conducted in both urban …


The Politics Of The Black Womb: How Education And Power Reinforce The U.S. Black Maternal Health Crisis, Foluke Akinkunmi May 2025

The Politics Of The Black Womb: How Education And Power Reinforce The U.S. Black Maternal Health Crisis, Foluke Akinkunmi

Honors Scholar Theses

This study investigates the alarming maternal mortality rates among Black women in the U.S. today first by exploring the historical exploitation of Black maternal bodies during enslavement and with the rise of professionalized gynecology. It challenges the narrative that attributes these outcomes to individual choices or supposedly inherent biological factors, arguing instead that the devaluing of Black women’s well-being and authoritative knowledge have been constructed along with the United States itself. To advance a constructive response, the paper analyzes curriculum competencies for obstetric and midwifery healthcare providers, surveys of Black women's birthing experiences in the previous 20 years, and interviews …


Exercise As An Intervention For Postpartum Depression (Ppd), Kylie P. Mistretta May 2025

Exercise As An Intervention For Postpartum Depression (Ppd), Kylie P. Mistretta

Honors Scholar Theses

Objective: To illustrate the applications of exercise for preventing the development of postpartum depression (PPD) and addressing associated risk factors identified in the literature. Data Sources: PubMed and EBSCO: Academic Search Premier were accessed using the search terms exercise OR physical activity OR yoga AND postpartum depression OR postnatal depression. A secondary search of PubMed was conducted using the search terms exercise AND pregnancy AND depression OR gestational diabetes OR weight gain OR sleep quality.

Study Selection: Studies selected for inclusion were peer-reviewed, published after January 2012, written in English, and relevant to the PPD risk factors examined. Only clinical …


Reducing Extreme Heat Impacts On Health In Pregnant Women And Infants: A Community Based Intervention In Kilifi, Kenya, Adelaide Lusambili, Fiona Scorgie, Martha Oguna, Matthew Chersich, Stanley Luchters, Giorgia Gon, Veronique Filippi, Sari Kovats, Kevin Mccawley, Jeremy Hess May 2025

Reducing Extreme Heat Impacts On Health In Pregnant Women And Infants: A Community Based Intervention In Kilifi, Kenya, Adelaide Lusambili, Fiona Scorgie, Martha Oguna, Matthew Chersich, Stanley Luchters, Giorgia Gon, Veronique Filippi, Sari Kovats, Kevin Mccawley, Jeremy Hess

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

High ambient temperatures affect maternal and newborn health outcomes and wellbeing. The Climate Heat and Maternal and Neonatal Health in Africa (CHAMNHA) consortium conducted formative qualitative research in rural Kilifi, Kenya, to examine perceptions of heat risks among women, household members and community stakeholders. An intervention was co-designed together with community members. This paper presents the development, implementation, and evaluation of a behavior-change intervention aimed at reducing the burden of heat on maternal and newborn health. The intervention used Digital Audio-Visual (DAV) storytelling (encompassing short videos and a set of photographs) and facilitated group discussions. Intervention groups included pregnant and …


Racial Disparity And Environmental Influences On Perinatal Health In Jefferson County, Kentucky., Felicia A Pugh May 2025

Racial Disparity And Environmental Influences On Perinatal Health In Jefferson County, Kentucky., Felicia A Pugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) risk has tripled over the past 30 years. Adverse infant birth outcomes in the U.S. have also increased with substantial Black-White disparities. Objectives: This work compares the frequency of adverse maternal and infant birth outcomes by maternal race (Black vs White) and examines associations between maternal ambient heavy metal exposures and birth outcomes in Jefferson County, Kentucky, 2017-2022. Methods: Jefferson County inpatient hospital delivery and birth certificate records of self-identified Black or White birthing parents were used. Incidence of SMM, stillbirth, preterm birth (PTB), and small for gestational age (SGA) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) …


The Influence Of Scientific, Genetic, And Health Literacy On Carrier Screening Decision-Making, Brenna D. Albracht May 2025

The Influence Of Scientific, Genetic, And Health Literacy On Carrier Screening Decision-Making, Brenna D. Albracht

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

For those wishing to assess their reproductive risks and make informed decisions in their reproductive planning, carrier screening for autosomal recessive and X-linked conditions, as well as cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening for aneuploidy, are recommended during pregnancy. Despite similarities in purpose, sample requirements, insurance coverage, and safety, a lower percentage of individuals elect carrier screening than cfDNA screening, suggesting there may be a disconnect in what patients perceive as valuable information for their pregnancy. Previous studies have attempted to explain the factors associated with carrier screening uptake or decline; however, no models have yet accounted for a patient’s literacy level …


Breaking Barriers To Smoking Cessation: Applying The Baby & Me - Tobacco Free Program To Improve Maternal And Child Health In Omaha, Nebraska, Madison Ravens May 2025

Breaking Barriers To Smoking Cessation: Applying The Baby & Me - Tobacco Free Program To Improve Maternal And Child Health In Omaha, Nebraska, Madison Ravens

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Smoking during pregnancy remains a pressing public health concern, contributing to adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental complications. In Nebraska, about 10% of pregnant women continue to smoke throughout pregnancy—above the national average, highlighting a critical gap in maternal health interventions. The Baby & Me – Tobacco Free (BMTF) program provides an evidence-based solution through structured counseling, carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring, and incentive-based rewards to support smoking cessation among pregnant women. This capstone project utilized the Getting to Outcomes framework to develop a detailed implementation plan to support Tobacco Free Nebraska (TFN) in launching the …


Maternal Dietary, Nutritional Status, And Its Association With Low-Birth Weight: A Scoping Review, Tri Siswati, Devi Septia Ningrum, Adinda Safitri, Almira Sitasari Apr 2025

Maternal Dietary, Nutritional Status, And Its Association With Low-Birth Weight: A Scoping Review, Tri Siswati, Devi Septia Ningrum, Adinda Safitri, Almira Sitasari

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Maternal diet and nutritional status during pregnancy influence birth outcomes. This review article aims to synthesize key studies examining the relationship between maternal dietary intake, nutritional status, and the occurrence of low birth weight (LBW). This study applies a scoping review from PubMed and Google Scholar (2018–2023). Observational and experimental studies were included. Articles met the criteria if they involved pregnant women aged 17+, human studies, full-text availability, and were in English or Indonesian. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The findings revealed that maternal intake of essential macronutrients, including energy and protein, along with key micronutrients …


Knowledge, Attitudes, And Motivation Regarding Exclusive Breastfeeding Between Medical And Nonmedical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study, Melviana Lubis, Meisyah Putri Rozi Apr 2025

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Motivation Regarding Exclusive Breastfeeding Between Medical And Nonmedical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study, Melviana Lubis, Meisyah Putri Rozi

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding provides substantial health benefits; however, disparities in knowledge and support persist. This study aimed to compare knowledge levels, attitudes, and motivation levels regarding exclusive breastfeeding between female medical and nonmedical students.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara and involved 314 students from the 2023 cohort. A validated questionnaire was used to assess knowledge levels (16 items), attitude (IIFAS, 16 items), and motivation (15 items). Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, odds ratio (OR), and Spearman’s correlation.

Results: Medical students demonstrated significantly higher levels of knowledge (OR = 3.50; …


The Art Of Resiliency: Patient Stories Of Maternal Mental Health Experiences, Sara Santarossa, Becca Austin, Molly A. Bell, Samantha C. Henry, Ashley Inclima, Hailey Maddox, Tara G. Smith, Leah Copeland, Dana Murphy, Ashley Redding, Amy Loree Apr 2025

The Art Of Resiliency: Patient Stories Of Maternal Mental Health Experiences, Sara Santarossa, Becca Austin, Molly A. Bell, Samantha C. Henry, Ashley Inclima, Hailey Maddox, Tara G. Smith, Leah Copeland, Dana Murphy, Ashley Redding, Amy Loree

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

As part of a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Eugene Washington Engagement Award aimed at improving capacity to address maternal mental health in research, this collection of stories describes experiences from six unique patient perspectives. Using motherhood as a common thread, these six stories weave together the patients’ challenges and barriers juxtaposed with their hopes and dreams. Exploring such topics as infant loss, expectations versus the reality of the postpartum experience, grief, loss of identity, loss of physical or emotional safety, advocacy, and perseverance through challenging maternal mental health experiences, these tales of resiliency leverage the voices and lived experiences of …


Breaking The Cycle: Reducing Maternal Mortality Disparities In Minnesota, Grace Hambike Apr 2025

Breaking The Cycle: Reducing Maternal Mortality Disparities In Minnesota, Grace Hambike

Undergraduate Research Symposium 2025

A comparative analysis of Minnesota's maternal mortality rates with states implementing successful maternal health initiatives and a review of policies supporting doulas, midwives, and culturally competent care models. Conclusions show that addressing maternal mortality disparities requires systemic healthcare reforms and culturally competent interventions. Expanding access to doulas, midwives, and community-based care can significantly improve maternal outcomes. Future research should focus on long-term effects of policy changes and continued surveillance of maternal health disparities.


Maternal Physical And Mental Health In The State Of South Carolina: Creating High-Quality Educational Materials, Elizabeth Chard Apr 2025

Maternal Physical And Mental Health In The State Of South Carolina: Creating High-Quality Educational Materials, Elizabeth Chard

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

This capstone project, in collaboration with the Empowering Moms team at the Medical University of South Carolina, aimed to establish the foundation for a statewide occupational therapy initiative focused on maternal mental and physical health education as a preventative approach to addressing rising maternal mortality rates. The project involved assessing the needs of mothers, developing evidence-based educational materials, and compiling a comprehensive resource list to enhance access to information for mothers and community health partners (CHPs) across South Carolina. To support this initiative, a website and REDCap surveys were created to facilitate information dissemination and track outcomes. Embedded within the …


Building Bridges: A Community Health Worker Training Course, Taylor A. Ramsey, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Phd, Otd, Otr, Dr. Sharita Ambrose, Dhed., Mph, Ches, Chwi Apr 2025

Building Bridges: A Community Health Worker Training Course, Taylor A. Ramsey, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Phd, Otd, Otr, Dr. Sharita Ambrose, Dhed., Mph, Ches, Chwi

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Building Bridges: A Community Health Worker Training Course is a comprehensive 20-hour continuing education course designed for community health workers (CHWS) who work with Black pregnant women. This training course was developed for and in collaboration with Allure Alliance Incorporated, a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of Black women through community programming, education, and advocacy. This training course reflects an interprofessional collaborative approach to addressing the racial disparities in the Black maternal health population in the U.S. The course includes evidence-based strategies and health management interventions derived from the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 4th Edition (OTPF-4), …


Prenatal Exposure To Pm2.5 Concentration And Risk Of Preterm Birth In New Mexico; A Seasonal Pattern And Spatio-Temporal Modeling., Onyedikachi J. Okeke Apr 2025

Prenatal Exposure To Pm2.5 Concentration And Risk Of Preterm Birth In New Mexico; A Seasonal Pattern And Spatio-Temporal Modeling., Onyedikachi J. Okeke

Mathematics & Statistics ETDs

This study investigates the association between prenatal PM2.5 exposure and preterm birth risk in New Mexico (2014–2021). Using descriptive statistics, time series models, and spatial analyses, findings show an average preterm birth rate of 14.87 per 1,000 live births, with moderate correlation (r = 0.727) between PM2.5 levels and very preterm births. While traditional models revealed no significant global effect, spatial methods such as Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and Multiscale GWR uncovered strong spatial heterogeneity. PM2.5 effects varied by county (coefficients: -0.00154 to 0.00150), with clustering evident in 2018–2019 (Moran’s I = 0.155–0.174). Results highlight the limitations of global models …


Community Perspectives On Maternal Dietary Diversity In Rural Kenya, Mozambique And The Gambia: A Precise Network Qualitative Study, Mai-Lei Woo Kinshella, Shilla Dama, Onesmus Wanje, Rosa Pires, Helena Boene, Papa Jagne, Hawanatu Jah, Angela Koech, Grace Mwashigadi, Violet Naanyu Apr 2025

Community Perspectives On Maternal Dietary Diversity In Rural Kenya, Mozambique And The Gambia: A Precise Network Qualitative Study, Mai-Lei Woo Kinshella, Shilla Dama, Onesmus Wanje, Rosa Pires, Helena Boene, Papa Jagne, Hawanatu Jah, Angela Koech, Grace Mwashigadi, Violet Naanyu

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Pregnant and lactating women in sub-Saharan Africa are vulnerable to micronutrient inadequacies, with risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Adequate intakes of diverse foods are associated with better micronutrient status and recommended by the World Health Organization as part of healthy eating counselling during antenatal care. However, our understanding of community knowledge of dietary diversity within the context of maternal diets is limited. We used a descriptive qualitative approach to explore community perceptions of dietary diversity during pregnancy and lactation, as well as influencing factors in sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 47 in-depth interviews were conducted between May and October 2022 …


Standardization And Quality Control Of The Introduction Of A Noninvasive Cardiac Output Monitor For Pregnancy Measurements In A Low- And Middle-Income Country, Helen Perry Apr 2025

Standardization And Quality Control Of The Introduction Of A Noninvasive Cardiac Output Monitor For Pregnancy Measurements In A Low- And Middle-Income Country, Helen Perry

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Introduction :There is increasing awareness of the role of the maternal cardiovascular system in complicated pregnancies. Despite the high disease burden, noninvasive cardiac output monitors have not been used extensively in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality control of the use of the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) 1A® in a LMIC.

Material and Methods This was a quality assessment study of the introduction of the USCOM 1A® to measure maternal hemodynamic indices. Inter-observer agreement was assessed across all four study sites by intraclass correlation coefficient. Quality control was assessed using pre-defined …


The Impact Of Discretion On Human Service Workers Supporting The Health Of Unaccompanied Minors In Foster Care, Diana M. Clark Apr 2025

The Impact Of Discretion On Human Service Workers Supporting The Health Of Unaccompanied Minors In Foster Care, Diana M. Clark

Senior Theses

Unaccompanied children (UCs) are a vulnerable population that enters government custody and accesses healthcare via the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)'s system of care. While prior research has focused on generating policy recommendations to improve healthcare services available to UCs both in ORR custody and following release from custody, this thesis will instead expand upon the experiences of staff members working at ORR-contracted agencies. These workers make decisions that have short- and long-term implications on the health and wellbeing of UCs. Drawing from 65 in-depth interviews with human service workers in ORR-contracted voluntary agencies, this thesis uses street-level bureaucracy framework …


"Health Gatekeepers": The Influence Of Women On Health Practices In Rural, Central Appalachia, Reese Lycan Apr 2025

"Health Gatekeepers": The Influence Of Women On Health Practices In Rural, Central Appalachia, Reese Lycan

Senior Theses

Women have historically assumed leadership roles in familial and community health promotion, intervention, and facilitation. While the role of women in family health is globally understood and the historical importance of female leadership has been documented, there remains a gap in knowledge regarding the role of women as “health gatekeepers”. Furthermore, when considering the Appalachian region, there are limited studies regarding women’s place in leadership as far as health is concerned. Therefore, this study employs a hermeneutic phenomenological framework to explore the lived experiences of women in relation to their family and community’s health in rural, Central Appalachia- a region …


Role Of Race And Ethnicity In The Development, Diagnosis, And Treatment Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Gabrielle D. Shupard Apr 2025

Role Of Race And Ethnicity In The Development, Diagnosis, And Treatment Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Gabrielle D. Shupard

Senior Theses

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder of pregnancy, and rates of this disease have been steadily increasing over the past ten years. GDM disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities at higher rates than their Caucasian counterparts. In this study, the PRECEDE model framework was employed during a literature review to gain a greater understanding of the complex risk factors contributing to differences in the development, diagnosis, and treatment of GDM among these population subgroups. The second part of this study concentrated on reviewing the extent to which current literature evaluates the role of race and ethnicity …


Cell-Free Dna Results Indicating Mosaic Monosomy X Of Likely Maternal Origin: Impact On Genetic Counseling Practices And Patient Experiences, Audrey Mcbride, Ashley Cannon, Siddharth Prakash, Aaron W Roberts, Angela Seasely, Anna C E Hurst, Laura Hendon Apr 2025

Cell-Free Dna Results Indicating Mosaic Monosomy X Of Likely Maternal Origin: Impact On Genetic Counseling Practices And Patient Experiences, Audrey Mcbride, Ashley Cannon, Siddharth Prakash, Aaron W Roberts, Angela Seasely, Anna C E Hurst, Laura Hendon

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To investigate the current genetic counseling practices involving a cfDNA result indicating mosaic monosomy X of likely maternal origin, and to better understand the perspectives of patients who have received this result.

Method: A total of 60 prenatal genetic counselors completed surveys about their experiences with this result, cfDNA consenting practices, and management practices. In addition, qualitative interviews were conducted with 5 patients to gain insight into their experiences with result disclosure and follow-up care.

Results: 95% of genetic counselors reported feeling prepared to counsel on these results. However, responses to current practices varied. Of the genetic counselors surveyed, …


Mothers’ Characteristics And Children's Diarrhea Between 2010-2020 In Rwanda, Amans Ntakarutimana Dr., Patrick A. Tschida Dr. Mar 2025

Mothers’ Characteristics And Children's Diarrhea Between 2010-2020 In Rwanda, Amans Ntakarutimana Dr., Patrick A. Tschida Dr.

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Mothers’ characteristics influence children’s health and development. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the influence of mothers’ education level, employment status, and exposure to domestic violence on diarrhea among children under 5 years old using secondary data from 2010, 2015, and 2020 Rwanda Demographic Health Surveys. We used stratified descriptive statistics, pairwise comparisons, and logistic regression designs to assess (a) the prevalence of mothers per education level, employment status, and exposure to domestic violence; (b) their variation over time; and (c) their influence on diarrhea among children under 5 years old between 2010 and 2020 in Rwanda. According to …


Cost-Effectiveness Of Intrapartum Azithromycin To Prevent Maternal Infection, Sepsis, Or Death In Low-Income And Middle-Income Countries: A Modelling Analysis Of Data From A Randomised, Multicentre, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Jackie K. Patterson, Simon Neuwahl, Sydney Kirsch, Janet L. Moore, Alan T.N. Tita, Waldemar A. Carlo, Adrien Lokangaka, Antoinette Tshefu, Musaku Mwenechanya, Elwyn Chomba, Avinash Kavi, Mrityunjay C. Metgud, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Richard J. Derman, Poonam Shivkumar, Manju Waikar, Archana Patel, Patricia L. Hibberd, Paul Nyongesa, Fabian Esamai, Osa A. Ekhaguere, Sherri Bucher, Saleem Jessani, Shiyam S. Tikmani, Sarah Saleem, Blair J. Wylie, Robert L. Goldenberg, Sk Masum Billah, Ruth Lennox, Rashidul Haque, William A. Petri, Manolo Mazariegos, Nancy F. Krebs, Jennifer J. Hemingway-Foday, Denise Babineau, Marion Koso-Thomas, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Melissa Bauserman Mar 2025

Cost-Effectiveness Of Intrapartum Azithromycin To Prevent Maternal Infection, Sepsis, Or Death In Low-Income And Middle-Income Countries: A Modelling Analysis Of Data From A Randomised, Multicentre, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Jackie K. Patterson, Simon Neuwahl, Sydney Kirsch, Janet L. Moore, Alan T.N. Tita, Waldemar A. Carlo, Adrien Lokangaka, Antoinette Tshefu, Musaku Mwenechanya, Elwyn Chomba, Avinash Kavi, Mrityunjay C. Metgud, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Richard J. Derman, Poonam Shivkumar, Manju Waikar, Archana Patel, Patricia L. Hibberd, Paul Nyongesa, Fabian Esamai, Osa A. Ekhaguere, Sherri Bucher, Saleem Jessani, Shiyam S. Tikmani, Sarah Saleem, Blair J. Wylie, Robert L. Goldenberg, Sk Masum Billah, Ruth Lennox, Rashidul Haque, William A. Petri, Manolo Mazariegos, Nancy F. Krebs, Jennifer J. Hemingway-Foday, Denise Babineau, Marion Koso-Thomas, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Melissa Bauserman

Global Health Articles

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality globally. In 2023, the Azithromycin Prevention in Labor Use (A-PLUS) trial showed intrapartum azithromycin for women planning a vaginal birth reduced the risk of maternal sepsis or death and infection. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of intrapartum azithromycin for pregnant people planning a vaginal birth in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) using A-PLUS trial data.

METHODS: We compared the benefits and costs of intrapartum azithromycin versus standard care across 100 000 model simulations using data from the A-PLUS trial and a probabilistic decision tree model that included 24 …