Photovoice: A Strategy to Better Understand the Reproductive and Sexual Health Needs of Young Mothers

Evaluation of environmental features that support breastfeeding: A photovoice study

The United Kingdom (UK) has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, and Stoke-on-Trent has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates and highest infant mortality rates in the UK. Vicarious experience of formula feeding, formula feeding culture, and a lack of physical environments to support breastfeeding are known barriers to uptake and maintenance. Improving physical environments and increasing the visibility of breastfeeding in public would help to challenge these barriers. This research employs a participatory approach to understand the facilitators and barriers to breastfeeding in public. Nine breastfeeding peer supporters were recruited as co-researcher for a photovoice study. Co-researchers collated images of features in environments which they felt either supported or acted as a barrier to public breastfeeding. An analysis workshop was held to review the data collected and produce collaboratively agreed findings. Various environmental features were highlighted as facilitators to breastfeeding including family rooms, welcoming signage, supportive staff members, and displays of information about breastfeeding. In addition, poorly designed family rooms, lack of inclusivity within breastfeeding spaces, breastfeeding spaces within toilets and a lack of information were barriers to public breastfeeding. This research illustrates that while some environments are well designed to support breastfeeding many others are not. Environments often lack basic provision and/or make token gestures towards breastfeeding support, such as welcome signage, without providing the infrastructure needed to support breastfeeding. More education about breastfeeding friendly spaces and resources for putting this information into practice are needed for environment owners, managers, and policy makers.

Experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic among young parents with foster care backgrounds: A participatory action PhotoVoice study

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on many vulnerable populations, including youth in foster care and parents of young children. In this study, we worked with nine parenting current and former foster youth to share their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic through photography. Data were collected between January and March 2021 during a series of three virtual PhotoVoice sessions, then transcripts of PhotoVoice sessions and participant-selected captioned photographs were analyzed using thematic analysis. Themes in participants' photographs included 1) Pandemic Parenting and 2) Making the Best of It. Findings indicate the need to expand mental health services, protect essential workers, and ensure young parents receive support navigating medical and social welfare systems and the process of receiving pandemic relief-related benefits.

Exploring adolescent engagement in sexual and reproductive health research in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda: A scoping review

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) in East Africa has prioritized research on the barriers to care, communication, and ASRH knowledge, attitudes, and practices. However, there is little research examining the extent to which meaningful adolescent engagement in research is achieved in practice and how this influences the evidence available to inform ASRH services. This review offers a critical step towards understanding current approaches to adolescent engagement in ASRH research and identifying opportunities to build a strengthened evidence base with adolescent voices at the centre. This scoping review is based on Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework, employing a keyword search of four databases via OVID: Medline, Global Health, Embase and PsycINFO. Two reviewers screened title, abstract and full text to select articles examining ASRH in Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, published between 2000 and 2020. After articles were selected, data was extracted, synthesized, and thematically organized to highlight emerging themes and potential opportunities for further research. The search yielded 1201 results, 34 of which were included in the final review. Results highlight the methods used to gather adolescent perspectives of ASRH (qualitative), the content of those perspectives (knowledge, sources of information, gaps in information and adolescent friendly services), and the overall narratives that frame discussions of ASRH (risky sexual behaviour, stigma, and gender norms). Findings indicate the extent of adolescent engagement in ASRH research is limited, resulting in a lack of comprehensive evidence, consistent challenges with stigma, little information on holistic concepts and a narrow framing of ASRH. In conclusion, there is opportunity for more meaningful engagement of adolescents in ASRH research. This engagement can be achieved by involving adolescents more comprehensively throughout the research cycle and by expanding the range of ASRH topics explored, as identified by adolescents.

Participatory Action Research for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) interventions are essential for the health of adolescents (10–19 years). Co-designing is a participatory approach to research, allowing for collaboration with academic and non-academic stakeholders in intervention development. Participatory action research (PAR) involves stakeholders throughout the planning, action, observation, and reflection stages of research. Current knowledge indicates that co-producing SRH interventions with adolescents increases a feeling of ownership, setting the scene for intervention adoption in implementation settings. Objectives: This scoping review aims to understand the extent of adolescents’ participation in PAR steps for co-designed SRH interventions, including the barriers and facilitators in co-designing of SRH intervention, as well as its effectiveness on adolescents’ SRH outcomes. Methods: Database searching of PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and organisational websites was performed, identifying 439 studies. Results: Upon screening, 30 studies (published between 2006–2021) met the inclusion criteria. The synthesis identified that adolescents were involved in the planning and action stages of the interventions, but not in the observation and reflection stages. Although the review identified the barriers and facilitators for co-designing SRF interventions, none of the included studies reported on the effectiveness of co-designing SRH interventions with adolescents; therefore, meta-analysis was not performed. Conclusions: While no specific outcome of the interventions was reported, all papers agreed that adolescent co-designing in ASRH interventions should occur at all stages to increase understanding of local perceptions and develop a successful intervention.

Evidence-based priorities of under-served pregnant and parenting adolescents: addressing inequities through a participatory approach to contextualizing evidence syntheses

Purpose

This study describes an interdiscursive evidence-based priority setting process with pregnant and parenting adolescents and their services providers.

Methods

A mixed methods literature review identified studies reporting on perinatal outcomes and experiences of adolescents during pregnancy to 12 months post-partum published in Canada after 2000. We also calculated relative risks for common perinatal risk factors and outcomes for adolescents compared to adult populations from 2012 to 2017 based on data from a provincial database of maternal and newborn outcomes. Two trained peer researchers identified outcomes most relevant to their peers. We shared syntheses results with four service providers and 13 adolescent mothers accessing services at a community service organization, who identified and prioritized their areas of concern. We repeated the process for the identified priority issue and expanded upon it through semi-structured interviews.

Results

Adolescent mothers face higher rates of poverty, abuse, anxiety and depression than do adult mothers. Adolescents prioritized the experience of judgment in perinatal health and social services, particularly as it contributed to them being identified as a child protection risk. Secondary priorities included loss of social support and inaccessibility of community resources. The experience of judgment in adolescent perinatal health literature was summarized around: being invisible, seen as incapable and seen as a risk. Adolescent mothers adapted these categories, emphasizing organizational and social barriers.

Conclusions

Young marginalized women are disproportionately affected by inequities in perinatal outcomes, yet their perspectives are rarely centered in efforts to address these inequities. This research addresses health inequities by presenting a robust, transparent and participatory approach to priority setting as a way to better represent the perspectives of those who carry the greatest burden of health inequities in evidence syntheses. In our work, marginalized adolescent parents adapted published literature around the experience and consequences of social stigma on perinatal outcomes, shifting our understanding of root causes and possible solutions.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12939-021-01458-7.

Personal Outcomes in Community-based Participatory Research Partnerships: A Cross-site Mixed Methods Study

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has been embraced by diverse populations to address health inequities within their communities. CBPR has been shown to produce favorable health outcomes, but little is known about personal outcomes (e.g., individual growth and capacities) resulting from the direct involvement in a CBPR partnership. We empirically examine which CBPR partnerships' processes and practices are associated with personal outcomes. We hypothesize that higher levels of collaborative approaches and adherence to CBPR principles and practices would be associated with personal outcomes. Based on a national cross-site CBPR study, Research for Improved Health, we utilized mixed-method data from a comprehensive community-engagement survey (N = 450) and seven in-depth case studies to explore the hypothesized relationships. Our multivariate mixed-effects model revealed the importance of various partnering practices. Relationship dynamics emerged as key predictors including the following: respect in the partnership, voice and influence in decision-making among partners, and stewardship. Qualitative findings highlighted individual, partnership, and community-level impacts, within and beyond the partnership. Our findings have implications for CBPR best practices and highlight the potential role of personal outcomes for partnerships' sustainability, long-term outcomes, and health equity research.

Exploring Indonesian adolescent women's healthcare needs as they transition to motherhood: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Marriage and underage childbirth is a phenomenon of increasing incidence globally. Adolescent mothers simultaneously encounter multiple developmental challenges related to transition into adulthood, marriage, pregnancy and mothering responsibilities. Despite this, studies investigating postpartum care needs for adolescent mothers are limited.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to explore adolescent mothers' postnatal inpatient experiences and healthcare needs as they moved towards their maternal roles.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative design was adopted to better understand experiences of adolescent mothers during their transition to becoming mothers. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with eleven adolescent mothers in hospital settings in South Sulawesi, Indonesia and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Four major themes emerged: (1) breastfeeding problems, (2) disempowerment in caring for the baby, (3) health care encounters, and (4) health care needs for adolescent motherhood transition.

DISCUSSION

Breastfeeding problems and feeling disempowered in caring for their babies after birth was experienced by all adolescent mothers in this study. Furthermore, the health care provided was limited to mandatory hospital tasks with staff failing to recognize adolescent mothers' broader needs. The findings suggest that adolescent mothers need compassionate health education, support and psychological care from midwives in the postpartum ward before hospital discharge.

CONCLUSION

The results highlight important issues in postnatal care provision for adolescent mothers in improving their maternal roles during the transition period. Specific, appropriate interventions for adolescent mothers are needed to support their transition and adaptation to their new roles.

Portraits of interprofessional collaborative practice in the primary health care teams

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the Interprofessional Collaborative Practice in Health from the perspective of professionals of the Primary Health Care teams.

METHODOLOGY

Participatory, qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study, performed in Basic Health Units of a municipality in the northwest of the Paraná, with 88 professionals of thw Primary Health Care teams. The data collection took place from February to April 2017, through the "Photovoice" data collection and analysis technique.

RESULTS

Two categories of analysis emerged: A picture of the process of constructing concepts of the Collaborative Interprofessional Health Practice; A picture of the configurations of the Collaborative Interprofessional Health Practice in the work process among the Primary Health Care teams.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

It was pointed out that Collaborative Interprofessional Practice is a new term and little explored in the Primary Health Care scenario, but the reflections about the photos allowed the assimilation, the thematic approximation and the collective construction of knowledge validated by the practice.

Exploring young mothers' experiences with postpartum contraception in Ottawa: results from a multimethods qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

Postpartum contraception plays a significant role in reducing subsequent pregnancy. However, young mothers in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, face various barriers when trying to access contraception after delivery. Through this project, we aimed to explore these barriers and understand the decision-making processes of young mothers surrounding postpartum contraception.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted 10 semistructured in-depth interviews with young mothers living in Ottawa who had experienced a subsequent pregnancy within 24months of their first childbirth. In addition, we interviewed 10 key informants who work with teenage mothers. We audio-recorded and transcribed all interviews and analyzed them using inductive and deductive techniques. We used ATLAS.ti software to manage our data.

RESULTS

Both young mothers and key informants report that teen mothers in Ottawa often do not use postpartum contraception or inconsistently use their chosen contraceptive method. Many factors, including cost, personal beliefs, personal priorities and knowledge, influence young mothers' decision making surrounding contraception.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that when young mothers do not use postpartum contraception, the reasons are complex; for some, this is a choice, and for others, this is the result of systems-level, service delivery and information barriers. Supporting policies to ensure that a full range of contraceptive methods are available and affordable and developing educational programs in Ottawa that are sex-positive and nonjudgmental appear warranted.

IMPLICATIONS

Ensuring that a full method mix, including contraceptive implants, is available to and affordable for young mothers in Ottawa could meet significant needs. Addressing existing systems-level, service delivery and information barriers through supporting evidence-based policies and sex-positive and nonjudgmental educational programs appears warranted.

“It was kind of like if it happens it happens. It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t intentional”: Young mothers’ experiences with subsequent pregnancy in Ottawa, Canada

Young mothers constitute a vulnerable population in Canada. Teens with children are at significant risk of subsequent pregnancy, a dynamic that can exacerbate health, emotional, and socio-economic challenges. We aimed to understand better the dynamics shaping “rapid repeat pregnancy” among young mothers in Ottawa, explore young mothers’ subsequent pregnancy experiences, and identify how services could be improved in Canada’s capital. In 2016, we conducted in-depth interviews with 10 young mothers and semi-structured interviews with 10 key informants working with pregnant and parenting youth. We analyzed interviews for content and themes using a multi-phased, iterative process. Four major themes emerged: (1) young mothers often plan their pregnancies actively or passively; (2) violence before, during, and after pregnancy is common; (3) mental health and substance abuse issues shape pregnancy risk; and (4) becoming pregnant often serves as a source of motivation for young mothers. Our results further indicate that young mothers have difficulty finding youth-friendly, non-judgmental support services and that integrated, multidisciplinary services offering individually tailored support and building on women’s strengths will likely be more successful in helping young mothers prevent subsequent pregnancies. Increasing awareness about existing services and supporting efforts that approach teen pregnancy comprehensively and holistically appear warranted.

Framing Young Childrens Oral Health: A Participatory Action Research Project

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Despite the widespread acknowledgement of the importance of childhood oral health, little progress has been made in preventing early childhood caries. Limited information exists regarding specific daily-life and community-related factors that impede optimal oral hygiene, diet, care, and ultimately oral health for children. We sought to understand what parents of young children consider important and potentially modifiable factors and resources influencing their children's oral health, within the contexts of the family and the community.

METHODS

This qualitative study employed Photovoice among 10 English-speaking parents of infants and toddlers who were clients of an urban WIC clinic in North Carolina. The primary research question was: "What do you consider as important behaviors, as well as family and community resources to prevent cavities among young children?" Five group sessions were conducted and they were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative research methodology. Inductive analyses were based on analytical summaries, double-coding, and summary matrices and were done using Atlas.ti.7.5.9 software.

FINDINGS

Good oral health was associated with avoidance of problems or restorations for the participants. Financial constraints affected healthy food and beverage choices, as well as access to oral health care. Time constraints and occasional frustration related to children's oral hygiene emerged as additional barriers. Establishment of rules/routines and commitment to them was a successful strategy to promote their children's oral health, as well as modeling of older siblings, cooperation among caregivers and peer support. Community programs and organizations, social hubs including playgrounds, grocery stores and social media emerged as promising avenues for gaining support and sharing resources.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-income parents of young children are faced with daily life struggles that interfere with oral health and care. Financial constraints are pervasive, but parents identified several strategies involving home care and community agents that can be helpful. Future interventions aimed to improve children's oral health must take into consideration the role of families and the communities in which they live.