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Simon I, König-Bachmann M, Wimmer-Puchinger B, Zenzmaier C. [Peripartal COVID-19-Related Restrictions and Psychological Burden - A Quantitative Survey in Austria]. Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2024; 228:446-453. [PMID: 38631376 DOI: 10.1055/a-2293-2203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The period from pregnancy to postpartum is a vulnerable time with an increased risk of mental illness. The COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictions in peripartum care, such as infection control measures, or restrictions regarding accompanying persons. MATERIAL AND METHODS Effects of COVID-19-related restrictions on the psyche and well-being during the peripartum period in Austria were retrospectively assessed using a partially standardized online questionnaire. In addition to closed questions on restrictions and psychological stress, this also contained the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). RESULTS Data from 850 women who had given birth during the pandemic were included in the analysis. In 8.5% of cases, appointments were canceled during prenatal care, 10.7% had to wear a face mask during the birth. One in 10 women had to cope with the birth and one in 5 with the puerperium without a companion. Unaccompanied women were significantly less likely to feel well cared for during the birth, more likely to feel alone in the puerperium and, according to the EPDS score, were more likely (39% vs. 20%; p<0.001) to have a high probability of postpartum depression. CONCLUSIONS The pandemic-related restrictions led to anxiety, worry, loneliness and an increased risk of depression during the peripartum period. The balance of mental health was negatively affected by measures and restrictions. Even in times of pandemic, more attention needs to be paid to the vulnerable peripartum period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imola Simon
- Department Gesundheit, Fachhochschule Burgenland, Campus Pinkafeld, Pinkafeld, Austria
| | - Martina König-Bachmann
- FH-Bachelor Studiengang Hebamme, fhg - Zentrum für Gesundheitsberufe Tirol GmbH/fh gesundheit, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Christoph Zenzmaier
- FH-Bachelor Studiengang Hebamme, fhg - Zentrum für Gesundheitsberufe Tirol GmbH/fh gesundheit, Innsbruck, Austria
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Zhang X, Wen R, Chen H, Liu J, Wu Y, Xu M, Wang R, Zeng X. COVID-19 and diabetes research: Where are we now and what does the future hold? A bibliometric visualization analysis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e37615. [PMID: 39315181 PMCID: PMC11417241 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 09/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & objective The extensive spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide has caused a dramatic negative impact on many individuals' health. This study aims to systematically and comprehensively analyze the current status and possible future directions of diabetes mellitus (DM) and COVID-19 research. Methods We obtained publications about COVID-19 and DM from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) using the search terms "COVID-19″ and similar terms combined with "DM" and similar terms, with a date range of January 2020 to May 2024. And we used CiteSpace V 6.3.R2 to perform the bibliometric visualization analysis. Results The search enrolled 6266 publications. The USA is a country with the most publications; Harvard University was the most productive institution in this field. The highest-ranked journal was the PLOS ONE, and the most cited journal was Lancet. The 20 most cited journals have all been cited 28754 times, accounting for 28 % of the total cites; the range of those journals was 790-3197. Publications on COVID-19 and DM research exhibited a distinct trajectory, shifting from an initial emphasis on understanding the impact of diabetes on COVID-19 infection and its associated pathophysiological mechanisms to a focus on analyzing the differential responses of diverse patient populations. Subsequently, research has progressed to examine the effects of medications and vaccines, as well as the long-term consequences of COVID-19 in diabetic individuals. Throughout this research endeavor, the exploration of diverse therapeutic interventions, their efficacy, and ultimate outcomes have consistently remained a paramount focus. And " metabolic syndrome," " long COVID," and " gestational diabetes" are still likely to be the hotspots and frontiers of research in the future. Conclusions This bibliometric analysis related to DM in COVID-19 illuminates the current research situation and developmental trends, supporting researchers in the exploration of prospective directions for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunlan Zhang
- Zunyi Medical University, No.6 Xuefu West Road, Xinpu District, 563000, Zunyi City, China
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guizhou Provincial People Hospital, No.83, East Zhongshan Road, Nanming District, 550002, Guiyang City, China
| | - Ru Wen
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guizhou Provincial People Hospital, No.83, East Zhongshan Road, Nanming District, 550002, Guiyang City, China
| | - Hengzhi Chen
- Zunyi Medical University, No.6 Xuefu West Road, Xinpu District, 563000, Zunyi City, China
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guizhou Provincial People Hospital, No.83, East Zhongshan Road, Nanming District, 550002, Guiyang City, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guizhou Provincial People Hospital, No.83, East Zhongshan Road, Nanming District, 550002, Guiyang City, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guizhou Provincial People Hospital, No.83, East Zhongshan Road, Nanming District, 550002, Guiyang City, China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guizhou Provincial People Hospital, No.83, East Zhongshan Road, Nanming District, 550002, Guiyang City, China
| | - Rongpin Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guizhou Provincial People Hospital, No.83, East Zhongshan Road, Nanming District, 550002, Guiyang City, China
| | - Xianchun Zeng
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guizhou Provincial People Hospital, No.83, East Zhongshan Road, Nanming District, 550002, Guiyang City, China
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Silverio SA, Harris EJ, Jackson L, Fallon V, Easter A, von Dadelszen P, Jurković D, Magee LA. Freedom for some, but not for Mum: the reproductive injustice associated with pandemic 'Freedom Day' for perinatal women in the United Kingdom. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1389702. [PMID: 39171311 PMCID: PMC11338017 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1389702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Healthcare services for pregnant and postpartum ('perinatal') women were reconfigured significantly at the advent and for the duration of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and despite the United Kingdom announcing 'Freedom Day' on 19 July 2021 (whereafter all legal lockdown-related restrictions were lifted), restrictions to maternity (antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal) services remained. This study presents data from eight perinatal women about their experiences of psychosocial wellbeing and maternity care in the post-'Freedom Day' epoch. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually, with data recorded, transcribed, and analysed by hand. Grounded theory analysis was employed with the final theory assessing the reproductive injustice of the pandemic 'Freedom Day'. Results Analysing iteratively and inductively led to four emergent themes: 'A Failing System, Failing Women'; 'Harm Caused by a State of Difference'; 'The Privileges (Not Rights) of Reproductive Autonomy, Agency, and Advocacy'; and 'Worried Women and Marginalised Mothers'. Together, these themes form the theory of 'Freedom for some, but not for Mum'. Discussion Women experienced a lack of high-quality reliable information about the pandemic, vaccination against the virus, and the changes to, and decision-making surrounding, their perinatal care. Women recognised healthcare professionals and maternity services were stretched and that maternity services were failing but often reported hostility from staff and abandonment at times when they were unsure about how to navigate their care. The most singular injustice was the disparity between women having to accept continuing restrictions to their freedom whilst receiving maternity care and the (reckless) freedom being enacted by the general public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A. Silverio
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth J. Harris
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne Jackson
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Fallon
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Abigail Easter
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter von Dadelszen
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Davor Jurković
- Gynaecology Diagnostic and Treatment Unit, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura A. Magee
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Adams MA, Bevan C, Booker M, Hartley J, Heazell AE, Montgomery E, Sanford N, Treadwell M, Sandall J. Strengthening open disclosure in maternity services in the English NHS: the DISCERN realist evaluation study. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE DELIVERY RESEARCH 2024; 12:1-159. [PMID: 39185618 DOI: 10.3310/ytdf8015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Background There is a policy drive in NHS maternity services to improve open disclosure with harmed families and limited information on how better practice can be achieved. Objectives To identify critical factors for improving open disclosure from the perspectives of families, doctors, midwives and services and to produce actionable evidence for service improvement. Design A three-phased, qualitative study using realist methodology. Phase 1: two literature reviews: scoping review of post-2013 NHS policy and realist synthesis of initial programme theories for improvement; an interview study with national stakeholders in NHS maternity safety and families. Phase 2: in-depth ethnographic case studies within three NHS maternity services in England. Phase 3: interpretive forums with study participants. A patient and public involvement strategy underpinned all study phases. Setting National recruitment (study phases 1 and 3); three English maternity services (study phase 2). Participants We completed n = 142 interviews, including 27 with families; 93 hours of ethnographic observations, including 52 service and family meetings over 9 months; and interpretive forums with approximately 69 people, including 11 families. Results The policy review identified a shift from viewing injured families as passive recipients to active contributors of post-incident learning, but a lack of actionable guidance for improving family involvement. The realist synthesis found weak evidence of the effectiveness of open disclosure interventions in the international maternity literature, but some improvements with organisation-wide interventions. Recent evidence was predominantly from the United Kingdom. The research identified and explored five key mechanisms for open disclosure: meaningful acknowledgement of harm; involvement of those affected in reviews/investigations; support for families' own sense-making; psychological safely of skilled clinicians (doctors and midwives); and knowing that improvements to care have happened. The need for each family to make sense of the incident in their own terms is noted. The selective initiatives of some clinicians to be more open with some families is identified. The challenges of an adversarial medicolegal landscape and limited support for meeting incentivised targets is evidenced. Limitations Research was conducted after the pandemic, with exceptional pressure on services. Case-study ethnography was of three higher performing services: generalisation from case-study findings is limited. No observations of Health Safety Investigation Branch investigations were possible without researcher access. Family recruitment did not reflect population diversity with limited representation of non-white families, families with disabilities and other socially marginalised groups and disadvantaged groups. Conclusions We identify the need for service-wide systems to ensure that injured families are positioned at the centre of post-incident events, ensure appropriate training and post-incident care of clinicians, and foster ongoing engagement with families beyond the individual efforts made by some clinicians for some families. The need for legislative revisions to promote openness with families across NHS organisations, and wider changes in organisational family engagement practices, is indicated. Examination of how far the study's findings apply to different English maternity services, and a wider rethinking of how family diversity can be encouraged in maternity services research. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42020164061. The study has been assessed following RAMESES realist guidelines. Funding This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research Programme (NIHR award ref: 17/99/85) and is published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 12, No. 22. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Ann Adams
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course and Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Bevan
- The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS), London, UK
| | | | - Julie Hartley
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course and Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Elsa Montgomery
- The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Natalie Sanford
- The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Jane Sandall
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course and Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
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Peterson L, Bridle L, Dasgupta T, Easter A, Ghobrial S, Ishlek I, Magee LA, Mansfield A, Panayotidis I, Rosen O'Sullivan H, Shangaris P, Banerjee A, Silverio SA. Oscillating autonomy: a grounded theory study of women's experiences of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy, labour and birth, and the early postnatal period. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:511. [PMID: 39075436 PMCID: PMC11285433 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06685-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testing positive for COVID-19 was associated with higher rates of detrimental psycho-social and physical health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruption to everyday life. This included major reconfiguration of maternal, child, and perinatal mental health and care services and provision. This study aimed to investigate the experiences of those who tested positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy, labour and birth, or the early postnatal period. METHODS National on-line recruitment from across the United Kingdom resulted in sixteen mothers being invited to qualitative semi-structured interviews to understand the experiences of mothers who had been infected by COVID-19 during pregnancy, labour and birth, or the early postnatal period. Interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed using video-conferencing software. A Grounded Theory approach was used to analyse the data gathered pertaining to women's experiences of their positive COVID-19 diagnosis during pregnancy, labour and birth, or the early postnatal period. RESULTS The theory of 'Oscillating Autonomy - Losing and Seeking to Regain Control by Striving for Agency' was developed, comprising three main themes: 'Anxious Anticipation: The fear of infection was worse than COVID-19 itself'; 'Fluctuating Agency: What changed when COVID-19 took control'; and 'Reclaiming Control: Seeking reassurance during COVID-19 positivity'. Testing positive for COVID-19 whilst pregnant, during labour or birth, or in the early postnatal period was associated with a perceived loss of control. Those who were able to regain that control felt more secure in their situation. CONCLUSIONS Support was paramount to manage increased vulnerability, as was reassurance achieved by information seeking and positive action including increased health monitoring and COVID-19 vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Peterson
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Laura Bridle
- HELIX Service, Maternal Mental Health Services, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Tisha Dasgupta
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Abigail Easter
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Stephanos Ghobrial
- General Internal Medicine, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Cornwall, UK
| | - Irem Ishlek
- Paediatric Services, Kingston Hospital, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Laura A Magee
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute of Women and Children's Health, King's Health Partners, London, UK
| | | | - Ismini Panayotidis
- Maternity Services, Queen's Hospital, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Barking, UK
| | - Hannah Rosen O'Sullivan
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Maternity Services, St. Thomas' Hospital, Guy's and St, Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Panicos Shangaris
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Maternity Services, St. Thomas' Hospital, Guy's and St, Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Anita Banerjee
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Maternity Services, St. Thomas' Hospital, Guy's and St, Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sergio A Silverio
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
- Institute of Women and Children's Health, King's Health Partners, London, UK.
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6
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Harrison S, Quigley MA, Fellmeth G, Stein A, Ayers S, Alderdice F. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on postnatal anxiety and posttraumatic stress: Analysis of two population-based national maternity surveys in England. J Affect Disord 2024; 356:122-136. [PMID: 38574867 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have evaluated postnatal anxiety and posttraumatic stress (PTS) before and during the Covid-19 pandemic using comparable data across time. We used data from two national maternity surveys in England to explore the impact of the pandemic on prevalence and risk factors for postnatal anxiety and PTS. METHODS Analysis was conducted using population-based surveys carried out in 2018 (n = 4509) and 2020 (n = 4611). Weighted prevalence estimates for postnatal anxiety and PTS were compared across surveys. Adjusted risk ratios (aRR) were estimated for the association between risk factors and postnatal anxiety and PTS. FINDINGS Prevalence of postnatal anxiety increased from 13.7 % in 2018 to 15.1 % in 2020 (+1.4 %(95%CI:-0.4-3.1)). Prevalence of postnatal PTS increased from 9.7 % in 2018 to 11.5 % in 2020 (+1.8 %(95%CI:0.3-3.4)), due to an increase in PTS related to birth trauma from 2.5 % to 4.3 % (+1.8 %(95%CI:0.9-2.6); there was no increase in PTS related to non-birth trauma. Younger age (aRR = 1.31-1.51), being born in the UK (aRR = 1.29-1.59), long-term physical or mental health problem(s) (aRR = 1.27-1.94), and antenatal anxiety (aRR = 1.97-2.22) were associated with increased risk of postnatal anxiety and PTS before and during the pandemic, whereas higher satisfaction with birth (aRR = 0.92-0.94) and social support (aRR = 0.81-0.82) were associated with decreased risk. INTERPRETATION Prevalence of postnatal PTS was significantly higher during the pandemic, compared to before the pandemic, due to an increase in PTS related to birth trauma. Prevalence of postnatal anxiety was not significantly higher during the pandemic. Risk factors for postnatal anxiety and PTS were similar before and during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Harrison
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - M A Quigley
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - G Fellmeth
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - A Stein
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Psychiatry, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; African Health Research Institute, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - S Ayers
- Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - F Alderdice
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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Dooley J, Jardine J, Ibrahim B, Mongru R, Pradhan F, Wolstenholme D, Lenguerrand E, Draycott T, Bruce F, Iliodromiti S. A positive deviant approach to examining the impact of Covid-19 on ethnic inequalities in maternal and neonatal outcomes. SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE 2024; 40:100971. [PMID: 38692137 DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2024.100971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES During the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid and heterogeneous changes were made to maternity care. Identification of changes that may reduce maternal health inequalities is a national priority. The aim of this project was to use data collected about care and outcomes to identify NHS Trusts in the UK where inequalities in outcomes reduced during the pandemic and explore through interviews how the changes that occurred may have led to a reduction in inequalities. METHODS A Women's Reference Group of public advisors guided the project. Analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics Admitted Patient Care data of 128 organisations in England identified "positive deviant" organisations that reduced inequalities, using maternal and perinatal composite adverse outcome indicators. Positive deviant organisations were identified for investigation, alongside comparators. Senior clinicians, heads of midwifery and representatives of women giving birth were interviewed. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed. RESULTS The change in the inequality gap for the maternal indicator ranged from a reduction of -0.24 to an increase of 0.30 per 1000 births between the pre-pandemic and pandemic period. For the perinatal composite indicator, the change in inequality gap ranged from -0.47 to 0.67 per 1000 births. Nine Trusts were identified as positive deviants and 10 as comparators. We conducted 20 interviews from six positive deviant and four comparator organisations. Positive deviants reported that necessary shifts in roles led to productive and novel use of expert staff; comparators reported senior staff 'stepping in' where needed and no benefits of this. They reported proactivity and quick reactions, increased team working, and rapid implementation of new ideas. Comparators found constant changes overwhelming, and no increase in team working. No specific differences in care processes were identified. CONCLUSIONS Harnessing proactivity, flexibility, staffing resource, and increased team working proves vital in reducing health inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemima Dooley
- Clinical Quality, Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, 10-18 Union Street, London, SE11GH, UK.
| | - Jen Jardine
- Clinical Quality, Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, 10-18 Union Street, London, SE11GH, UK
| | - Buthaina Ibrahim
- Clinical Quality, Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, 10-18 Union Street, London, SE11GH, UK
| | - Rohan Mongru
- Clinical Quality, Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, 10-18 Union Street, London, SE11GH, UK
| | - Farrah Pradhan
- Clinical Quality, Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, 10-18 Union Street, London, SE11GH, UK
| | - Daniel Wolstenholme
- Clinical Quality, Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, 10-18 Union Street, London, SE11GH, UK
| | - Erik Lenguerrand
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, University of Bristol, Level 1 Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, BS10 5NB, UK
| | - Tim Draycott
- Clinical Quality, Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, 10-18 Union Street, London, SE11GH, UK
| | - Faye Bruce
- Caribbean and African Health Network, Transformation Community Resource Centre, 1st Floor, Richmond House, 11 Richmond Grove, Manchester, M13 0LN, UK
| | - Stamatina Iliodromiti
- Women's Health Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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8
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Jackson L, Davies SM, Gaspar M, Podkujko A, Harrold JA, Pascalis LDE, Fallon V, Soulsby LK, Silverio SA. The social and healthcare professional support drawn upon by women antenatally during the COVID-19 pandemic: A recurrent, cross-sectional, thematic analysis. Midwifery 2024; 133:103995. [PMID: 38608542 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.103995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore antenatal experiences of social and healthcare professional support during different phases of social distancing restriction implementation in the UK. DESIGN Semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephone or video-conferencing software between 13 July 2020 - 2 September 2020. Interviews were transcribed and a recurrent, cross-sectional, thematic analysis was conducted. PARTICIPANTS Twelve antenatal women were interviewed during UK social distancing restrictions (Timepoint 1; T1) and a separate sample of twelve women were interviewed in the initial easing of these restrictions (Timepoint 2; T2). FINDINGS T1 themes were: 'Maternity care as non-essential' and 'Pregnancy is cancelled'. T2 themes were: 'Technology is a polarised tool' and 'Clinically vulnerable, or not clinically vulnerable? That is the question'. KEY CONCLUSIONS At T1, anxieties were ascribed to the exclusion of partners from routine care, and to perceived insensitivity and aggression from the public. For T2, insufficient Governmental transparency led to disillusionment, confusion, and anger. Covert workplace discrimination also caused distress at T2. Across timepoints: deteriorated mental wellbeing was attributed to depleted opportunities to interact socially and scaled back maternity care. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Recommendations are made to: protect maternal autonomy; improve quality of mental health and routine care signposting; prioritise parental community support in the re-opening of 'non-essential' services; prioritise the option for face-to-face appointments when safe and legal; and protecting the rights of working mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Jackson
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, England
| | - Siân M Davies
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, England; Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, England
| | - Monic Gaspar
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, England
| | - Anastasija Podkujko
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, England
| | - Joanne A Harrold
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, England
| | - Leonardo DE Pascalis
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, England
| | - Victoria Fallon
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, England
| | - Laura K Soulsby
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, England
| | - Sergio A Silverio
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, England.
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9
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Abdul-Mumin A, Bimpong KA, Cotache-Condor C, Oppong J, Charadan AMS, Munkaila A, Perez de Souza JV, Smith ER. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal care and outcomes: A retrospective study in a tertiary hospital in Northern Ghana. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301081. [PMID: 38820360 PMCID: PMC11142585 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perinatal mortality remains a global challenge. This challenge may be worsened by the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child health. OBJECTIVES Examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal care and outcomes in the Tamale Teaching Hospital in northern Ghana. METHODS A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted in the Tamale Teaching Hospital. We compared antenatal care attendance, total deliveries, cesarean sections, and perinatal mortality before the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2019 to February 28, 2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021). Interrupted time series analyses was performed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal care and outcomes at TTH. RESULTS A total number of 35,350 antenatal visits and 16,786 deliveries were registered at TTH from March 2019 to February 2021. Antenatal care, early neonatal death, and emergency cesarean section showed a rapid decline after the onset of the pandemic, with a progressive recovery over the following months. The total number of deliveries and fresh stillbirths showed a step change with a marked decrease during the pandemic, while the macerated stillbirths showed a pulse change, a temporary marked decrease with a quick recovery over time. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on perinatal care and outcomes in our facility. Pregnancy monitoring through antenatal care should be encouraged and continued even as countries tackle the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alhassan Abdul-Mumin
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | | | - Cesia Cotache-Condor
- Department of Surgery, Duke School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Center for Global Surgery and Health Equity, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Oppong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Ana Maria Simono Charadan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Adam Munkaila
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Joao Vitor Perez de Souza
- Division of Translational Health Sciences, Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Emily R. Smith
- Department of Surgery, Duke School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Center for Global Surgery and Health Equity, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Division of Translational Health Sciences, Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Whyte I, Morelli A, Burns E, Rowe R. Postnatal care provided by UK midwifery units and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey using the UK Midwifery Study System (UKMidSS). Heliyon 2024; 10:e29878. [PMID: 38707446 PMCID: PMC11066328 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Postnatal care supports healthy transitions to parenthood, mother-infant relationships, and breastfeeding establishment. Highly valued by women and families, it is often an area where parents report low satisfaction compared with other areas of maternity care. Most research about postnatal care is hospital-focused. Little is known about postnatal services provided by midwifery units, and any changes to this provision since the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim To describe postnatal care services provided by UK midwifery units and examine the extent to which provision was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We carried out a national survey online between January-June 2022 using the United Kingdom Midwifery Study System (UKMidSS). We asked about postnatal care provision in alongside midwifery units (AMU) and freestanding midwifery units (FMU), before the COVID-19 pandemic (July-December 2019) and shortly after restrictions were eased (January-June 2022). Findings Overall 131 (67 %) midwifery units responded to the survey, 76 (62 %) AMUs and 55 (75 %) FMUs, from 75 % of eligible NHS organisations. In 2022, 66 % of AMUs reported that women typically stayed for 6-24 h after a straightforward birth, while 70 % of FMUs reported typical postnatal stays of <6 h. For 2019, significantly more FMUs reported providing outpatient postnatal services compared with AMUs (98 % vs 57 %, p < 0.001). From 2019 to 2022 there were significant reductions in partners staying overnight in midwifery units (65 %-42 %, p < 0.001), and in the provision of outpatient postnatal breastfeeding groups (23 %-15 %, p < 0.01) and other postnatal groups (7 %-2 %, p = 0.02). Conclusions The findings document the ways in which postnatal care provision differs between AMUs and FMU, with potential consequences for choice and experience for women. They are also congruent with evidence that maternity care was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including a reduction in postnatal visiting for partners and in postnatal group support services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imogen Whyte
- Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandra Morelli
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ethel Burns
- Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Rowe
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Dasgupta T, Horgan G, Peterson L, Mistry HD, Balls E, Wilson M, Smith V, Boulding H, Sheen KS, Van Citters A, Nelson EC, Duncan EL, Dadelszen PV, Rayment-Jones H, Silverio SA, Magee LA. Women's experiences of maternity care in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic: A follow-up systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis. Women Birth 2024; 37:101588. [PMID: 38431430 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternity care services in the United Kingdom have undergone drastic changes due to pandemic-related restrictions. Prior research has shown maternity care during the pandemic was negatively experienced by women and led to poor physical and mental health outcomes in pregnancy. A synthesis is required of published research on women's experiences of maternity care during the latter half of the COVID-19 pandemic. AIM To update a previous systematic review of maternity care experiences during the pandemic to June 2021, exploring experiences of maternity care specifically within the United Kingdom and how they may have changed, in order to inform future maternity services. METHODS A systematic review of qualitative literature was conducted using comprehensive searches of five electronic databases and the Cochrane COVID Study Register, published between 1 June 2021 and 13 October 2022, and further updated to 30 September 2023. Thematic Synthesis was utilised for data synthesis. FINDINGS Of 21,860 records identified, 27 studies were identified for inclusion. Findings included 14 descriptive themes across the five core concepts: (1)Care-seeking and experience; (2)Virtual care; (3)Self-monitoring; (4)COVID-19 vaccination; (5)Ethical future of maternity care. DISCUSSION Our findings in the UK are consistent with those globally, and extend those of the previous systematic review, particularly about women's perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest the following are important to women for future maternity care: personalisation and inclusiveness; clear and evidence-based communication to facilitate informed decision-making; and achieving balance between social commitments and time spent settling into motherhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tisha Dasgupta
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian Horgan
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lili Peterson
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hiten D Mistry
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Balls
- The RESILIENT Study Patient & Public Involvement & Engagement Advisory Group, United Kingdom
| | - Milly Wilson
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valerie Smith
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Harriet Boulding
- The Policy Institute, Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kayleigh S Sheen
- Department of Social Sciences, College of Health, Science and Society, University of the West of England Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; The RESILIENT Study Technical Advisory Group, United Kingdom
| | - Aricca Van Citters
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, NH, United States
| | - Eugene C Nelson
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, NH, United States
| | - Emma L Duncan
- Department of Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter von Dadelszen
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Rayment-Jones
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio A Silverio
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Laura A Magee
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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12
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Mclennan NM, Lindsay R, Saravanan P, Sukumar N, White SL, von Dadelszen P, Burden C, Hunt K, George P, Hirst JE, Lattey K, Lee TTM, Murphy HR, Scott EM, Magee LA, Reynolds RM. Impact of COVID-19 on gestational diabetes pregnancy outcomes in the UK: A multicentre retrospective cohort study. BJOG 2024; 131:858-868. [PMID: 37968246 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of implementing emergency care pathway(s) for screening, diagnosing and managing women with gestational diabetes (GDM) during COVID-19. DESIGN Retrospective multicentre cohort. SETTING Nine National Health Service (NHS) Hospital Trusts/Health boards in England and Scotland. POPULATION 4915 women with GDM pre-pandemic (1 April 2018 to 31 March 2020), and 3467 women with GDM during the pandemic (1 May 2020 to 31 March 2021). METHODS We examined clinical outcomes for women with GDM prior to and during the pandemic following changes in screening methods, diagnostic testing, glucose thresholds and introduction of virtual care for monitoring of antenatal glycaemia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Intervention at birth, perinatal mortality, large-for-gestational-age infants and neonatal unit admission. RESULTS The new diagnostic criteria more often identified GDM women who were multiparous, had higher body mass index (BMI) and greater deprivation, and less frequently had previous GDM (all p < 0.05). During COVID, these women had no differences in the key outcome measures. Of the women, 3% were identified with pre-existing diabetes at antenatal booking. Where OGTT continued during COVID, but virtual care was introduced, outcomes were also similar pre- and during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Using HbA1c and fasting glucose identified a higher risk GDM population during the pandemic but this had minimal impact on pregnancy outcomes. The high prevalence of undiagnosed pre-existing diabetes suggests that women with GDM risk factors should be offered HbA1c screening in early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh-Maire Mclennan
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert Lindsay
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Nithya Sukumar
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Sara L White
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Peter von Dadelszen
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Christy Burden
- Academic Women's Health Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kathryn Hunt
- Academic Women's Health Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Priya George
- Ninewell's Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Jane E Hirst
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Katherine Lattey
- Academic Women's Health Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tara T M Lee
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Helen R Murphy
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Eleanor M Scott
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Laura A Magee
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca M Reynolds
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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13
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Hinton L, Dakin FH, Kuberska K, Boydell N, Willars J, Draycott T, Winter C, McManus RJ, Chappell LC, Chakrabarti S, Howland E, George J, Leach B, Dixon-Woods M. Quality framework for remote antenatal care: qualitative study with women, healthcare professionals and system-level stakeholders. BMJ Qual Saf 2024; 33:301-313. [PMID: 35552252 PMCID: PMC11041557 DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2021-014329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-quality antenatal care is important for ensuring optimal birth outcomes and reducing risks of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the usual provision of antenatal care, with much care shifting to remote forms of provision. We aimed to characterise what quality would look like for remote antenatal care from the perspectives of those who use, provide and organise it. METHODS This UK-wide study involved interviews and an online survey inviting free-text responses with: those who were or had been pregnant since March 2020; maternity professionals and managers of maternity services and system-level stakeholders. Recruitment used network-based approaches, professional and community networks and purposively selected hospitals. Analysis of interview transcripts was based on the constant comparative method. Free-text survey responses were analysed using a coding framework developed by researchers. FINDINGS Participants included 106 pregnant women and 105 healthcare professionals and managers/stakeholders. Analysis enabled generation of a framework of the domains of quality that appear to be most relevant to stakeholders in remote antenatal care: efficiency and timeliness; effectiveness; safety; accessibility; equity and inclusion; person-centredness and choice and continuity. Participants reported that remote care was not straightforwardly positive or negative across these domains. Care that was more transactional in nature was identified as more suitable for remote modalities, but remote care was also seen as having potential to undermine important aspects of trusting relationships and continuity, to amplify or create new forms of structural inequality and to create possible risks to safety. CONCLUSIONS This study offers a provisional framework that can help in structuring thinking, policy and practice. By outlining the range of domains relevant to remote antenatal care, this framework is likely to be of value in guiding policy, practice and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Hinton
- THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francesca H Dakin
- Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Karolina Kuberska
- THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Janet Willars
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Tim Draycott
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, UK
| | | | - Richard J McManus
- Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Lucy C Chappell
- Maternal and Fetal Research Unit Division of Women's Health, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Elizabeth Howland
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | | | - Mary Dixon-Woods
- THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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14
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McCabe C, McCann M, Connolly D, McGrath J, Begley J, Ball JC, Harris E. Impact of unscheduled nurse-led virtual care for people with diabetes on nursing practices and patient satisfaction. BRITISH JOURNAL OF NURSING (MARK ALLEN PUBLISHING) 2024; 33:236-241. [PMID: 38446518 DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2024.33.5.236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic and its social restrictions accelerated the expansion of virtual clinical care, and this has been reported to be safe, low cost and flexible. AIM This study aimed to examine nursing practices and patient satisfaction with unscheduled nurse-led virtual care for people with diabetes. METHODS A cross-sectional descriptive survey of clinical nurse specialists and patients was carried out, using an activities log for nursing practices and a satisfaction and enablement survey for callers. FINDINGS Patients reported high satisfaction levels and greater self-confidence in keeping themselves healthy after receiving virtual care. Most calls (74.8%) from patients were for advice and education. Each call led to an average of 2.5 actions for the clinical nurse specialist. CONCLUSION The service is highly valued and is effective, but adds to the nurse workload burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine McCabe
- Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Margaret McCann
- Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - David Connolly
- Research Assistant, Trinity Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jackie McGrath
- Clinical Nurse Specialist Diabetes, Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare, Ireland
| | - Joanne Begley
- Clinical Nurse Specialist Diabetes, Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare, Ireland
| | - Jane C Ball
- Clinical Informatics Nurse, Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare, Ireland
| | - Elaine Harris
- Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator, Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare, Ireland
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15
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Mamrath S, Greenfield M, Fernandez Turienzo C, Fallon V, Silverio SA. Experiences of postpartum anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study and demographic analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297454. [PMID: 38451908 PMCID: PMC10919661 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the reconfiguration of perinatal and maternity services, national lockdowns, and social distancing measures which affected the perinatal experiences of new and expectant parents. This study aimed to explore the occurrence of postpartum anxieties in people who gave birth during the pandemic. METHODS An exploratory concurrent mixed-methods design was chosen to collect and analyse the quantitative and qualitative data of an online survey during the first UK lockdown. The survey included the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale-Research Short Form-for use in global Crises [PSAS-RSF-C] psychometric tool, and open-ended questions in relation to changes in birth plans and feelings about those changes and giving birth in a pandemic. Differences in measured scores were analysed for the participant's ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability using independent Student's t-tests, and for age, the analysis was completed using Pearson's correlation. Qualitative data from open-ended questions were analysed using a template analysis. RESULTS A total of 1,754 new and expectant parents completed the survey between 10th and 24th April 2020, and 381 eligible postnatal women completed the psychometric test. We found 52.5% of participants reported symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of postnatal anxiety-significantly higher than the rates usually reported. Younger women and sexual minority women were more likely to score highly on the PSAS-RSF-C than their older or heterosexual counterparts (p<0.001). Younger participants reported anxieties in the 'infant safety and welfare' category, whilst lesbian, gay, bisexual, and pansexual participants scored highly in the 'psychosocial adjustment to motherhood' category. DISCUSSION Postpartum anxiety is under-reported, and demographic differences in the rates of postpartum anxiety are under-researched. This research demonstrates for the first time a difference in postpartum anxiety rates amongst sexual minority women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Mamrath
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mari Greenfield
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Department of Wellbeing, Education, Languages and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Cristina Fernandez Turienzo
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Fallon
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio A. Silverio
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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16
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George-Carey R, Memtsa M, Kent-Nye FE, Magee LA, Oza M, Burgess K, Goodhart V, Jurković D, Silverio SA. Women's experiences of early pregnancy loss services during the pandemic: A qualitative investigation. Women Birth 2024; 37:394-402. [PMID: 38184398 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
PROBLEM Early pregnancy losses [EPL] are common, varied, and require different courses of management and care. BACKGROUND In the UK, women who suspect or suffer a pregnancy loss are usually provided specialist care in early pregnancy assessment units [EPAUs]. Their configuration has recently been evaluated, but recommendations for change in-line with best practice for optimum outcomes were unable to be implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic health system shock. AIM To compare women's experiences of EPAUs during the pandemic to themes previously found in qualitative work undertaken with women who utilised EPAUs before the pandemic. METHODS We conducted semi-structured virtual interviews, with women (N = 32) who suffered an early pregnancy loss during the pandemic; analysing transcripts using Template Analysis, based on findings about women's (pre-pandemic) experiences of EPAU from The VESPA Study. FINDINGS We report on seven key themes: Barriers to Accessing Services; Communication & Information; Retention of Relational Care; Involvement in Care Decisions; Staffs' Attitude or Approach; Efficiency of Service Delivery; Sensitive Patient Management. DISCUSSION Sensitive patient management and woman-staff interactions in EPAU settings remain a fundamental issue. Women also reported their experiences of EPAUs were comparatively worse during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Women valued the care provided by EPAUs and found services to be efficient, despite pandemic-related restrictions. However, psychological recognition surrounding EPL and appropriate, sensitive, relational care and support continue to be areas in need of improvement. Our recommendation is to implement the improvements suggested by VESPA as a priority to ameliorate present sub-optimal experiences and prevent further deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon George-Carey
- Gynaecology Services, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Memtsa
- Gynaecology Service, Royal Free Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Flora E Kent-Nye
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura A Magee
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Munira Oza
- The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Burgess
- Petals: The Baby Loss Counselling Charity, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Venetia Goodhart
- Gynaecology Diagnostic and Treatment Unit, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Davor Jurković
- Gynaecology Diagnostic and Treatment Unit, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio A Silverio
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Tucker KL, Hinton L, Green M, Chappell LC, McManus RJ. Using self-monitoring to detect and manage raised blood pressure and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy: the BUMP research programme and its impact. Hypertens Res 2024; 47:714-720. [PMID: 38062200 PMCID: PMC10912026 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-023-01474-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Raised blood pressure affects around ten percent of pregnancies worldwide, causing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Self-monitoring of blood pressure during higher-risk or hypertensive pregnancy has been shown to be feasible, acceptable, safe, and no more expensive than usual care alone. Additionally, self-testing for proteinuria has been shown to be just as accurate as healthcare professional testing, creating the potential for monitoring of multiple indicators through pregnancy. The work suggests however, that an organisational shift is needed to properly use and see benefits from self-monitored readings. This paper describes the findings from a large programme of work examining the use of self-monitoring in pregnancy, summarising the findings in the context of the wider literature and current clinical context. The BUMP Research Programme developed and tested self-monitoring and self-testing interventions for pregnancy. The work showed that self-monitoring during pregnancy was feasible, acceptable, safe, and no more expensive, but did not improve the detection or control of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L Tucker
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lisa Hinton
- The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Marcus Green
- Action on Pre-Eclampsia (APEC), Charity, Worcestershire, UK
| | - Lucy C Chappell
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Richard J McManus
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Collins E, Keedle H, Jackson M, Lequertier B, Schmied V, Boyle J, Kildea S, Dahlen HG. Telehealth use in maternity care during a pandemic: A lot of bad, some good and possibility. Women Birth 2024; 37:419-427. [PMID: 38218652 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To reduce transmission risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, 'telehealth' (health care delivered via telephone/video-conferencing) was implemented into Australian maternity services. Whilst some reports on telehealth implementation ensued, there was scant evidence on women and midwives' perspectives regarding telehealth use. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted in Australia during 2020-2021 using two data sources from the Birth in the Time of COVID-19 (BITTOC) study: i) interviews and ii) surveys (open-text responses). Content analysis was utilised to analyse the data and explore telehealth from the perspective of midwives and women accessing maternity care services. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 women and 16 midwives. Survey responses were provided from 687 midwives and 2525 women who were pregnant or gave birth in 2021, generating 212 and 812 comments respectively. FINDINGS Telehealth delivery was variable nationally and undertaken primarily by telephone/videoconferencing. Perceived benefits included: reduced COVID-19 transmission risk, increased flexibility, convenience and cost efficiency. However, women described inadequate assessment, and negative impacts on communication and rapport development. Midwives had similar concerns and also reported technological challenges. CONCLUSION During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth offered flexibility, convenience and cost efficiency whilst reducing COVID-19 transmission, yet benefits came at a cost. Telehealth may particularly suit women in rural and remote areas, however, it also has the potential to further reduce equitable, and appropriate care delivery for those at greatest risk of poor outcomes. Telehealth may play an adjunct role in post-pandemic maternity services, but is not a suitable replacement to traditional face-to-face maternity care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Collins
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith 2751 NSW Australia
| | - Hazel Keedle
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith 2751 NSW Australia
| | - Melanie Jackson
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith 2751 NSW Australia
| | - Belinda Lequertier
- Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, College of Nursing and Midwifery, Charles Darwin University, Level 11, East Tower, 410 Ann Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia
| | - Virginia Schmied
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith 2751 NSW Australia
| | - Jacqueline Boyle
- Monash Centre of Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Sue Kildea
- Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, College of Nursing and Midwifery, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hannah Grace Dahlen
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith 2751 NSW Australia.
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Tam MW, Davis VH, Ahluwalia M, Lee RS, Ross LE. Impact of COVID-19 on access to and delivery of sexual and reproductive healthcare services in countries with universal healthcare systems: A systematic review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0294744. [PMID: 38394146 PMCID: PMC10889625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unforeseen impacts on sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) services worldwide, and the nature and prevalence of these changes have not been extensively synthesized. We sought to synthesise reported outcomes on the impact of COVID-19 on SRH access and delivery in comparable countries with universal healthcare systems. METHODS Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and CINAHL from January 1st, 2020 to June 6th, 2023. Original research was eligible for inclusion if the study reported on COVID-19 and SRH access and/or delivery. Twenty-eight OECD countries with comparable economies and universal healthcare systems were included. We extracted study characteristics, participant characteristics, study design, and outcome variables. The methodological quality of each article was assessed using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies (QuADS) tool. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed for reporting the results. This study was registered on PROSPERO (#CRD42021245596). SYNTHESIS Eighty-two studies met inclusion criteria. Findings were qualitatively synthesised into the domains of: antepartum care, intrapartum care, postpartum care, assisted reproductive technologies, abortion access, gynaecological care, sexual health services, and HIV care. Research was concentrated in relatively few countries. Access and delivery were negatively impacted by a variety of factors, including service disruptions, unclear communication regarding policy decisions, decreased timeliness of care, and fear of COVID-19 exposure. Across outpatient services, providers favoured models of care that avoided in-person appointments. Hospitals prioritized models of care that reduced time and number of people in hospital and aerosol-generating environments. CONCLUSIONS Overall, studies demonstrated reduced access and delivery across most domains of SRH services during COVID-19. Variations in service restrictions and accommodations were heterogeneous within countries and between institutions. Future work should examine long-term impacts of COVID-19, underserved populations, and underrepresented countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle W. Tam
- University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Victoria H. Davis
- Upstream Lab, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Monish Ahluwalia
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rachel S. Lee
- University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lori E. Ross
- University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
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20
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Jackson L, Greenfield M, Payne E, Burgess K, Oza M, Storey C, Davies SM, De Backer K, Kent-Nye FE, Pilav S, Worrall S, Bridle L, Khazaezadeh N, Rajasingam D, Carson LE, De Pascalis L, Fallon V, Hartley JM, Montgomery E, Newburn M, Wilson CA, Harrold JA, Howard LM, Sandall J, Magee LA, Sheen KS, Silverio SA. A consensus statement on perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for post-pandemic recovery and re-build. Front Glob Womens Health 2024; 5:1347388. [PMID: 38449695 PMCID: PMC10915094 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2024.1347388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant lifecourse rupture, not least to those who had specific physical vulnerabilities to the virus, but also to those who were suffering with mental ill health. Women and birthing people who were pregnant, experienced a perinatal bereavement, or were in the first post-partum year (i.e., perinatal) were exposed to a number of risk factors for mental ill health, including alterations to the way in which their perinatal care was delivered. Methods A consensus statement was derived from a cross-disciplinary collaboration of experts, whereby evidence from collaborative work on perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic was synthesised, and priorities were established as recommendations for research, healthcare practice, and policy. Results The synthesis of research focused on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal health outcomes and care practices led to three immediate recommendations: what to retain, what to reinstate, and what to remove from perinatal mental healthcare provision. Longer-term recommendations for action were also made, categorised as follows: Equity and Relational Healthcare; Parity of Esteem in Mental and Physical Healthcare with an Emphasis on Specialist Perinatal Services; and Horizon Scanning for Perinatal Mental Health Research, Policy, & Practice. Discussion The evidence base on the effect of the pandemic on perinatal mental health is growing. This consensus statement synthesises said evidence and makes recommendations for a post-pandemic recovery and re-build of perinatal mental health services and care provision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Jackson
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Mari Greenfield
- Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elana Payne
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Burgess
- Petals: The Baby Loss Counselling Charity, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Munira Oza
- The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Storey
- International Stillbirth Alliance, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Siân M. Davies
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Kaat De Backer
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Flora E. Kent-Nye
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sabrina Pilav
- Centre for Research in Psychology and Sport Sciences, Health and Wellbeing Research, The University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Semra Worrall
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Bridle
- HELIX Service, Maternal Mental Health Services, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nina Khazaezadeh
- Chief Midwifery Office, NHS England—London Region, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daghni Rajasingam
- Maternity Services, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren E. Carson
- Section of Women’s Mental Health, School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Research Development, UK Biobank, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Leonardo De Pascalis
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Fallon
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Julie M. Hartley
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elsa Montgomery
- Division of Methodologies, Department of Midwifery, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Newburn
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire A. Wilson
- Section of Women’s Mental Health, School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne A. Harrold
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Louise M. Howard
- Section of Women’s Mental Health, School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Sandall
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura A. Magee
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kayleigh S. Sheen
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Social Sciences, College of Health, Science and Society, University of the West of England Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio A. Silverio
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Cross-Sudworth F, Taylor B, Kenyon S. Community postnatal care delivery in England since Covid-19: A qualitative study of midwifery leaders' perspectives and strategies. Women Birth 2024; 37:240-247. [PMID: 37903683 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
PROBLEM COVID-19 impacted negatively on maternity care experiences of women and staff. Understanding the emergency response is key to inform future plans. BACKGROUND Before the COVID-19 pandemic, experts highlighted concerns about UK community postnatal care, and its impact on long-term health, wellbeing, and inequalities. These appear to have been exacerbated by the pandemic. AIM To explore community postnatal care provision during and since the pandemic across a large diverse UK region. METHODS A descriptive qualitative approach. Virtual semi-structured interviews conducted November 2022-February 2023. All regional midwifery community postnatal care leaders were invited to participate. FINDINGS 11/13 midwifery leaders participated. Three main themes were identified: Changes to postnatal care (strategic response, care on the ground); Impact of postnatal care changes (staff and women's experiences); and Drivers of postnatal care changes (COVID-19, workforce issues). DISCUSSION Changes to postnatal care during the pandemic included introduction of virtual care, increased role of Maternity Support Workers, and moving away from home visits to clinic appointments. This has largely continued without evaluation. The number of care episodes provided for low and high-risk families appears to have changed little. Those requiring additional support but not deemed highest risk appear to have been most impacted. Staffing levels influenced amount and type of care provided. There was little inter-organisation collaboration in the postnatal pandemic response. CONCLUSION Changes to postnatal care provision introduced more efficient working practices. However, evaluation is needed to ensure ongoing safe, equitable and individualised care provision post pandemic within limited resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Cross-Sudworth
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Beck Taylor
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, University Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Sara Kenyon
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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22
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Palgi-Hacker H, Sacks E, Landry M. Respectful maternity care in Israel during the Covid-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of associations between childbirth care practices and women's perceptions of care. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:50. [PMID: 38200458 PMCID: PMC10777588 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06030-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respectful maternity care is a crucial part of quality care and is associated with better health outcomes. Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, reports from across the world indicated that infection containment measures were often implemented in ways that resulted in disrespectful care of women during facility-based childbirths in violation of evidence-based practices. This study aimed to explore the associations between childbirth care practices and perceptions of care as satisfactory and respectful among women who delivered in Israeli hospitals during the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional self-administered online survey was conducted to explore women's perceptions of maternity care using an adapted version of the WHO Community Survey Tool for measuring how women are treated during facility-based childbirth. Multivariate logistic regression models evaluated the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric information, and measurements of childbirth experiences and women's perceptions of receiving respectful and satisfactory care. RESULTS The responses of 981 women were included in the analysis. While the majority of women perceived the care they received as both respectful (86.54%) and satisfactory (80.22%), almost 3 in 4 women (72.68%) reported experiencing at least one type of disrespectful care. Positive communication with the medical staff and respect for autonomy were associated with a more positive birth experience for women. Women were more likely to perceive their care as respectful if they did not feel ignored (AOR = 40.11;22.87-70.34). Perception of satisfactory care was more likely among women who had the opportunity to discuss preferences with the medical staff (AOR = 10.15; 6.93-14.86). Having Covid-19 procedures explained increased the likelihood of reporting respectful and satisfactory care (AOR = 2.89;1.91-4.36; AOR = 2.83;2.01-4). CONCLUSION Understanding which care practices are associated with women's perceptions of care at facility-based births is critical to ensuring quality care. The findings of this study can inform future work and research aimed at enhancing respectful maternity care during times of crisis and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagar Palgi-Hacker
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, D.C, 20052, USA.
| | - Emma Sacks
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, E8011, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Megan Landry
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, D.C, 20052, USA
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23
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Irvine LC, Chisnall G, Vindrola-Padros C. The impact of maternity service restrictions related to COVID-19 on women's experiences of giving birth in England: A qualitative study. Midwifery 2024; 128:103887. [PMID: 38007920 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in maternity service delivery in England, including: antenatal appointments being cancelled or held by phone; women having to attend antenatal scans alone; partners not being allowed to accompany women during labor; visitor restrictions on postnatal wards; and limited postnatal support. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with 46 women aged 18-45 who had low-risk pregnancies and gave birth to their babies using NHS services in England between 1st March 2020 and 1st March 2021. RESULTS Our thematic analysis of interview data generated key themes: profound negative impacts of birth partners not being allowed to accompany women (including on emotional wellbeing, birth preferences and care-seeking choices); deep frustration about policy variation between trusts and inconsistent implementation of guidance; women being more concerned about the risk of giving birth alone than of COVID-19 infection; and women turning towards private care or delaying seeking NHS care so that they could have the birth experience they desired. The latter two results are, to the best of our knowledge, unique to this paper. CONCLUSION Our participants reported significant negative affects to their emotional and physical wellbeing because of maternity service restrictions. Going forward, efforts are required by policymakers and health service providers to re-establish trust in NHS maternity care and ensure capacity to provide for potential shifts in birthplace preferences. Health systems strengthening efforts should prioritise protecting the rights of women to access high quality, person-centred care in the event of future health emergencies that strain NHS capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy C Irvine
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guildford St, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.
| | - Georgia Chisnall
- Department of Targeted Intervention, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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24
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Fors M, González P, Jacho S, Mena-Tudela D, Falcón K. Unveiling the intersection: exploring obstetric violence in the Era of COVID-19 in Ecuador. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2554. [PMID: 38129818 PMCID: PMC10734149 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17300-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Changes to healthcare delivery organization that have occurred to protect people from the virus COVID-19 may have led to harmful consequences to pregnant women intensifying obstetric violence. Prevalence of obstetric violence in Ecuador is high with a range between 30 and 70% approximately. METHODS This cross-sectional study was performed with the participation of 1298 women who answered EPREVO questionnaire from June 2021 to January 2022. Obstetrics characteristics' relationship before and during COVID-19 were examined using Fisher exact test. RESULTS From 1598 respondents, 1284 (80.4%) gave birth before March 2020 Most of the participants (73.6%; CI:73.59-73.61) experienced obstetric violence during childbirth. Vaginal examination, enemas and genital shaving, episiotomy and cesarean section decreased significantly as well as rooming with the baby during the pandemic. Half of the women did not breastfeed the baby in the first hour but there were not statistically significant differences between giving birth before or during the infection from COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS Levels of obstetric violence in Ecuador remains high but without major differences due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however some harmful medical practices considered as obstetric violence decreased but maybe to the fear to be infected by the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Fors
- One Health Group, Universidad de Las Américas, Avenida de los Granados, Vía a Nayón, Quito, Ecuador.
| | | | | | - Desirée Mena-Tudela
- Departamento de Enfermería, Instituto Feminista. Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
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25
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Ambihaipahan R, Chisnall G, Vindrola-Padros C, Irvine L. Accessing health information during the COVID-19 pandemic: the experience of NHS maternity service users. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:851. [PMID: 38082239 PMCID: PMC10714534 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06160-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic caused various disruptions to NHS maternity services in England. Changes were made to antenatal and postnatal care and the way that information was shared with maternity service users during these times. Fewer face-to-face appointments, increased virtual appointments and changes in guidance about the suitability of the COVID-19 vaccine without appropriate information sharing and evidence caused concern. METHODS This study took a blended inductive-deductive approach to secondary data analysis using a population subset of 16 from a wider study that sought to understand the impact of COVID-19 on maternity services in England. Participants of this study were aged 28-44 and gave birth using NHS maternity services in England. The data were collected and coded using Rapid Analysis Procedure sheets, which generated key themes, which are used here to structure the results. RESULTS Four main themes were generated from the analysis: 1) service restrictions to antenatal and postnatal appointments 2) access to information and changes to antenatal and postnatal care 3) inconsistencies in the implementation of government and NHS policy and 4) limited information about COVID-19 vaccine provided by NHS trusts and hesitancy in vaccine acceptance. CONCLUSION Participants experienced poor communication that affected their understanding of maternity service changes and there was limited general and maternal health information provided. Vaccine information was also inadequate, and participants expressed a desire for clearer guidance. The UK Government, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and NHS must collaborate with maternity service users to ensure that there are evidence-based guidelines and policies that can be understood and standardised across all NHS maternity trusts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georgia Chisnall
- University College London, Institute of Global Health, London, UK
| | | | - Lucy Irvine
- University College London, Institute of Global Health, London, UK
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26
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Carbone L, Raffone A, Travaglino A, Saccone G, Di Girolamo R, Neola D, Castaldo E, Iorio GG, Pontillo M, Arduino B, D'Alessandro P, Guida M, Mollo A, Maruotti GM. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on obstetrics and gynecology hospitalization rate and on reasons for seeking emergency care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2023; 36:2187254. [PMID: 36894183 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2187254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, utilization of emergency care units has been reported to be reduced for obstetrical and gynaecological reasons. The aim of this systematic review is to assess if this phenomenon reduced the rate of hospitalizations for any reason and to evaluate the main reasons for seeking care in this subset of the population. METHODS The search was conducted using the main electronic databases from January 2020 to May 2021. The studies were identified with the use of a combination of: "emergency department" OR "A&E" OR "emergency service" OR "emergency unit" OR "maternity service" AND "COVID-19" OR "COVID-19 pandemic" OR "SARS-COV-2" and "admission" OR "hospitalization". All the studies that evaluated women going to obstetrics & gynecology emergency department (ED) during the COVID-19 pandemic for any reason were included. RESULTS The pooled proportion (PP) of hospitalizations increased from 22.7 to 30.6% during the lockdown periods, in particular from 48.0 to 53.9% for delivery. The PP of pregnant women suffering from hypertensive disorders increased (2.6 vs 1.2%), as well as women having contractions (52 vs 43%) and rupture of membranes (12.0 vs 9.1%). Oppositely, the PP of women having pelvic pain (12.4 vs 14.4%), suspected ectopic pregnancy (1.8 vs 2.0), reduced fetal movements (3.0 vs 3.3%), vaginal bleeding both for obstetrical (11.7 vs 12.8%) and gynecological issues (7.4 vs 9.2%) slightly reduced. CONCLUSION During the lockdown, an increase in the proportion of hospitalizations for obstetrical and gynecological reasons has been registered, especially for labor symptoms and hypertensive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Carbone
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Raffone
- Division of Gynaecology and Human Reproduction Physiopathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Univeristaria di Bologna. S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio Travaglino
- Pathology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriele Saccone
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Di Girolamo
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniele Neola
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Castaldo
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gabriele Iorio
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Pontillo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Arduino
- Maternal-Child Department, AOU Federico II hospital, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Guida
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Mollo
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Schola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maria Maruotti
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Knox O, Parker D, Johnson D, Dombrowski SU, Thomson G, Clarke J, Hoddinott P, Jolly K, Ingram J. Text message conversations between peer supporters and women to deliver infant feeding support using behaviour change techniques: A qualitative analysis. Midwifery 2023; 127:103838. [PMID: 37839159 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyse text message conversations between peer supporters (called Infant Feeding Helpers - IFHs) and new mothers using qualitative methods to understand how peer support can influence and support women's feeding experiences. DESIGN Qualitative analysis of text messages conversations using both inductive thematic and deductive content approaches to coding. Thematic analysis of the text message transcripts and deductive content analysis was used to code if Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) were employed by IFHs in their interactions with women. BCTs coded in text messages were then compared with those tabulated from antenatal meeting recordings and documented in interview transcripts. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING 18 primiparous women and 7 Infant Feeding Helpers from one community site in South-West England. FINDINGS Three key themes were identified in the18 text message conversations (1679 texts): 'breastfeeding challenges', 'mother-centred conversations', and 'emotional and practical support'. The core BCTs of 'social support' and 'changing the social environment' were found at least once in 17 (94 %) and 18 (100 %) text message conversations respectively. Meanwhile, 'instruction to perform the behaviour' was used at least once in over 50 % of conversations. Generally, the use of BCTs was greatest between birth and two weeks during a period of daily texts when women reported many feeding challenges. The number and range of BCTs used in text messages were similar to those documented in audio-recorded meetings and interview accounts. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Infant Feeding Helpers were able to provide engaging and successful breastfeeding peer support through text messages. Messaging was shown to be an appropriate and accessible method of delivering BCTs focussing on 'social support' and 'changing the social environment'. Peer supporters delivering BCTs via text messages is acceptable and appropriate to use if in-person support is limited due to unforeseen circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Knox
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol UK
| | - Denise Parker
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol UK
| | - Debbie Johnson
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol UK
| | | | - Gill Thomson
- School of Community Health & Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, UK
| | - Joanne Clarke
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Pat Hoddinott
- Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Research Unit, University of Stirling, UK
| | - Kate Jolly
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Jenny Ingram
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol UK.
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Chaloner J, Qureshi I, Gogoi M, Ekezie WC, Al-Oraibi A, Wobi F, Agbonmwandolor JO, Nellums LB, Pareek M. A qualitative study exploring healthcare workers' lived experiences of the impacts of COVID-19 policies and guidelines on maternal and reproductive healthcare services in the United Kingdom. Eur J Midwifery 2023; 7:30. [PMID: 38023948 PMCID: PMC10630987 DOI: 10.18332/ejm/171802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant women were regarded as vulnerable to poor health outcomes if infected with the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus. To protect the United Kingdom's (UK) National Health Service (NHS) and pregnant patients, strict infection control policies and regulations were implemented. This study aimed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 policies and guidelines on maternal and reproductive health services during the pandemic from the experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) caring for these patients. METHODS This qualitative study involved HCWs from the United Kingdom Research study into Ethnicity and COVID-19 outcomes in Healthcare workers (UK-REACH) project. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted online or by telephone with 44 diverse HCWs. Transcripts were thematically analyzed following Braun and Clarke's principles of qualitative analysis. RESULTS Three key themes were identified during analysis. First, infection control policies impacted appointment availability, resulting in many cancellations and delays to treatment. Telemedicine was also used extensively to reduce risks from face-to-face consultations, disadvantaging patients from minoritized ethnicities. Secondly, staff shortages and redeployments reduced availability of consultations, appointments, and sonography scans. Finally, staff and patients reported challenges accessing timely, reliable and accurate information and guidance. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 demonstrated how a global health crisis can impact maternal and reproductive health services, leading to reduced service quality and surgical delays due to staff redeployment policies. Our findings underscore the implications of policy and future health crises preparedness. This includes tailored infection control policies, addressing elective surgery backlogs early and improved dissemination of relevant vaccine information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Chaloner
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Irtiza Qureshi
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mayuri Gogoi
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Winifred C. Ekezie
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Department of Sociology and Policy, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Amani Al-Oraibi
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Fatimah Wobi
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Laura B. Nellums
- Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- College of Population Health, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, Mexico
| | - Manish Pareek
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Department of Infection and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, United Kingdom
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Ferreira DP, Bolognani CV, Santana LA, Fernandes SES, de Moraes MSF, Fernandes LAS, Pereira CDS, Ferreira GB, Göttems LBD, Amorim FF. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Births, Vaginal Deliveries, Cesarian Sections, and Maternal Mortality in a Brazilian Metropolitan Area: A Time-Series Cohort Study. Int J Womens Health 2023; 15:1693-1703. [PMID: 38020934 PMCID: PMC10631387 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s429122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic posed a worldwide challenge, leading to radical changes in healthcare. The primary objective of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on birth, vaginal delivery, and cesarian section (c-section) rates. The secondary objective was to compare the maternal mortality before and after the pandemic. Patients and Methods Time-series cohort study including data of all women admitted for childbirth (vaginal delivery or c-section) at the maternities in the Public Health System of Federal District, Brazil, between March 2018 and February 2022, using data extracted from the Hospital Information System of Brazilian Ministry of Health (SIH/DATASUS) on September 30, 2022. Causal impact analysis was used to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on birth, vaginal delivery, and c-section using the CausalImpact R package, and a propensity score matching was used to evaluate the effect on maternal mortality rate using the Easy R (EZR) software. Results There were 150,617 births, and considering total births, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was not statistically significant (absolute effect per week: 5.5, 95% CI: -24.0-33.4). However, there was an increase in c-sections after COVID-19 (absolute effect per week: 18.1; 95% CI: 11.9-23.9). After propensity score matching, the COVID-19 period was associated with increased maternal mortality (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.53-6.81). The e-value of the adjusted OR for the association between the post-COVID-19 period and maternal mortality was 5.89, with a 95% CI: 2.43, suggesting that unmeasured confounders were unlikely to explain the entirety of the effect. Conclusion Our study revealed a rise in c-sections and maternal mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly due to disruptions in maternal care. These findings highlight that implementing effective strategies to protect maternal health in times of crisis and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilson Palhares Ferreira
- Graduation Program in Health Sciences, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Vicari Bolognani
- Department of Research and Scientific Communication, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Medical School, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Levy Aniceto Santana
- Department of Research and Scientific Communication, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Eduardo Soares Fernandes
- Department of Research and Scientific Communication, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Medical School, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | | | | | - Camila de Sousa Pereira
- Medical School, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | | | - Leila Bernarda Donato Göttems
- Department of Research and Scientific Communication, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Medical School, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Fábio Ferreira Amorim
- Graduation Program in Health Sciences, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Department of Research and Scientific Communication, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Medical School, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Graduation Program in Health Sciences of School Health Sciences, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
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Quigley MA, Harrison S, Levene I, McLeish J, Buchanan P, Alderdice F. Breastfeeding rates in England during the Covid-19 pandemic and the previous decade: Analysis of national surveys and routine data. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291907. [PMID: 37819882 PMCID: PMC10566678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have compared breastfeeding rates before and during the pandemic using comparable data across time. We used data from two national maternity surveys (NMS) to compare breastfeeding rates in England before and during the pandemic. METHODS Analysis was conducted using the NMS from 2018 (pre-pandemic; n = 4,509) and 2020 (during the pandemic; n = 4,611). The prevalence of breastfeeding initiation, and 'any' breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 6 weeks and 6 months were compared between these surveys. Data were interpreted in the context of underlying trends in these prevalences from previous NMS (from 2010 and 2014), and annual routine data for England (from 2009-10 to 2020-21). Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted risk ratios (aRR) for the effect of birth during the pandemic (2020 versus 2018) on breastfeeding, with adjustment for sociodemographic and birth-related factors. RESULTS Breastfeeding initiation and any breastfeeding at 6 weeks remained relatively constant in the NMS and the routine data. Birth during the pandemic was associated with a 3 percentage point decrease in EBF at 6 weeks in the NMS (aRR 0.92, 95%CI: 0.87, 0.98 for pandemic versus pre-pandemic), but a smaller decrease in the routine data. Birth during the pandemic was associated with a 3 percentage point increase in any breastfeeding at 6 months in the NMS (aRR 1.05, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.10). Breastfeeding varied across different groups of women in the NMS (i.e. marked inequalities), but the small changes observed between the pandemic and pre-pandemic NMS were broadly similar across the sociodemographic and birth-related factors examined (i.e. no change in inequalities). CONCLUSION Breastfeeding initiation and any breastfeeding at 6 weeks in England were unaffected by the pandemic, and the persistent inequalities in breastfeeding did not widen. Services should aim to reduce these inequalities in breastfeeding which have been documented since the 1970s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Quigley
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sian Harrison
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ilana Levene
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny McLeish
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Phyll Buchanan
- Breastfeeding Supporter, The Breastfeeding Network, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Alderdice
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Shaw-Churchill S, Phillips KP. The pandemic experiences of Ontario perinatal providers: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1057. [PMID: 37794422 PMCID: PMC10552313 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10079-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has produced widespread disruptions for healthcare systems across Canada. Perinatal care in Ontario, Canada was subject to province-wide public health restrictions, reallocation of hospital beds and human health resources. To better understand the impacts of the pandemic on Ontario perinatal care, this study explored the perspectives of perinatal care providers about their clinical COVID-19 pandemic experiences. METHODS Semi-structured key informant virtual interviews were conducted between August 2021 and January 2022 with 15 Ontario-based perinatal care providers. Recorded interviews were transcribed, and thematic content analysis used to identify major themes and subthemes. RESULTS Participants were mainly women, practicing in Eastern and Central Ontario as health providers (obstetricians, nurses, midwives), allied regulated health professionals (social worker, massage therapist), and perinatal support workers (doula, lactation consultant). Major themes and subthemes were identified inductively as follows: (1) Impacts of COVID-19 on providers (psychosocial stress, healthcare system barriers, healthcare system opportunities); (2) Perceived impacts of COVID-19 on pregnant people (psychosocial stress, amplification of existing healthcare barriers, influences on reproductive decision making; minor theme- social and emotional support roles); (3) Vaccine discourse (provider empathy, vaccines and patient family dynamics, minor themes- patient vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 misinformation); and (4) Virtual pregnancy care (benefits, disadvantages, adaptation of standard care practices). CONCLUSIONS Perinatal care providers reported significant stress and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving hospital protocols. Providers perceived that their patients were distressed by both the pandemic and related reductions in pregnancy healthcare services including hospital limits to support companion(s). Although virtual pregnancy care impaired patient-provider rapport, most providers believed that the workflow efficiencies and patient convenience of virtual care is beneficial to perinatal healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigourney Shaw-Churchill
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 25 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Karen P Phillips
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 25 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
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Hinton L, Kuberska K, Dakin F, Boydell N, Martin G, Draycott T, Winter C, McManus RJ, Chappell L, Chakrabarti S, Howland E, Willars J, Dixon-Woods M. A qualitative study of the dynamics of access to remote antenatal care through the lens of candidacy. J Health Serv Res Policy 2023; 28:222-232. [PMID: 37084393 PMCID: PMC10515462 DOI: 10.1177/13558196231165361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of pregnant women, antenatal healthcare professionals, and system leaders to understand the impact of the implementation of remote provision of antenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 93 participants, including 45 individuals who had been pregnant during the study period, 34 health care professionals, and 14 managers and system-level stakeholders. Analysis was based on the constant comparative method and used the theoretical framework of candidacy. RESULTS We found that remote antenatal care had far-reaching effects on access when understood through the lens of candidacy. It altered women's own identification of themselves and their babies as eligible for antenatal care. Navigating services became more challenging, often requiring considerable digital literacy and sociocultural capital. Services became less permeable, meaning that they were more difficult to use and demanding of the personal and social resources of users. Remote consultations were seen as more transactional in character and were limited by lack of face-to-face contact and safe spaces, making it more difficult for women to make their needs - both clinical and social - known, and for professionals to assess them. Operational and institutional challenges, including problems in sharing of antenatal records, were consequential. There were suggestions that a shift to remote provision of antenatal care might increase risks of inequities in access to care in relation to every feature of candidacy we characterised. CONCLUSION It is important to recognise the implications for access to antenatal care of a shift to remote delivery. It is not a simple swap: it restructures many aspects of candidacy for care in ways that pose risks of amplifying existing intersectional inequalities that lead to poorer outcomes. Addressing these challenges through policy and practice action is needed to tackle these risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Hinton
- THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute), University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Karolina Kuberska
- THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute), University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Francesca Dakin
- THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute), University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Graham Martin
- THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute), University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Tim Draycott
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK
| | - Cathy Winter
- PROMPT Maternity Foundation, Southmead Hospital, UK
| | - Richard J McManus
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Lucy Chappell
- Women and Children’s Health, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, UK
| | | | | | - Janet Willars
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Mary Dixon-Woods
- THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute), University of Cambridge, UK
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Lo ACQ, Kemp M, Kabacs N. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal mental health screening, illness and pregnancy outcomes: A cohort study. Obstet Med 2023; 16:178-183. [PMID: 37720004 PMCID: PMC9708533 DOI: 10.1177/1753495x221139565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The aim was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal mental health screening, illness and related pregnancy complications/outcomes. Methods A single-centre retrospective cohort study in mothers giving birth before versus during the pandemic. Primary outcomes were the comparative prevalence/incidence of peripartum psychiatric diagnoses. Secondary outcomes were the pandemic's effect on psychiatric screening accuracy, and on other pregnancy outcomes linked to mental health. Results The pandemic did not significantly increase the crude incidence of diagnosed peripartum anxiety (risk ratio (RR) = 1.39, 95% CI = 0.66-2.95), depression (RR = 1.63, 95% CI = 0.72-3.70) or other pregnancy outcomes. In multivariate models, the pandemic decreased Apgar scores and was involved in interaction effects for postpartum mental illness and birthweight. Psychiatric screening at the booking appointment exhibited lower sensitivity in predicting antenatal mental illness (pre-pandemic = 85.71%, pandemic = 25.00%; p = 0.035). Conclusions The lowered screening sensitivity likely meant mental illness was poorly anticipated/under-detected during the pandemic, leading to no crude increase in perinatal psychiatric diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre C. Q. Lo
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michelle Kemp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nikolett Kabacs
- Perinatal Mental Health Team, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Fulbourn, UK
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Pearson J, Fréchette-Boilard G, Baudry C, Matte-Gagné C, Bernier A, Lemelin JP, Tarabulsy GM. Prenatal maternal stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and birth outcomes: Is the newborn spared? Infant Behav Dev 2023; 72:101866. [PMID: 37506422 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has generated numerous stressors among the general population, but more specifically in pregnant women because of disruptions in prenatal care and delivery conditions. Studies suggest that prenatal maternal stress increased during the pandemic (Berthelot et al., 2020; Perzow et al., 2021; Tomfohr-Madsen et al., 2021). Considering what is known about the fetal programming potential of prenatal maternal stress, several researchers, early in the pandemic, raised concerns over the significant negative consequences that the pandemic context could have on birth outcomes. Studies comparing birth outcomes during versus before the pandemic suggest a marginal increase in birthweight and a significant decrease in preterm birth (Yang et al., 2022), but individual variations in prenatal maternal stress during the pandemic have received less attention. The objective of the present study is to examine the association between prenatal maternal stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and birth outcomes. During pregnancy, 195 expecting mothers reported on their general and pandemic-related stress. When their child was 6 months old, mothers completed a questionnaire collecting information on birth outcomes (gestational age, birthweight, head circumference and Apgar scores). Hierarchical linear regressions show that none of the maternal prenatal stress variables significantly predicted variations in birth outcomes. Potential pandemic-related protective factors (e.g., changes in life and hygiene habits, rest imposed by lockdowns) and the need to offer support to pregnant women are discussed.
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Jackson C, Brawner J, Ball M, Crossley K, Dickerson J, Dharni N, Rodriguez DG, Turner E, Sheard L, Smith H. Being pregnant and becoming a parent during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal qualitative study with women in the Born in Bradford COVID-19 research study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:494. [PMID: 37403018 PMCID: PMC10320984 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05774-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uncertainty around the risk of COVID-19 to pregnant women and their babies prompted precautionary restrictions on their health and care during the pandemic. Maternity services had to adapt to changing Government guidance. Coupled with the imposition of national lockdowns in England and restrictions on daily activities, women's experiences of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, and their access to services, changed rapidly. This study was designed to understand women's experiences of pregnancy, labour and childbirth and caring for a baby during this time. METHODS This was an inductive longitudinal qualitative study, using in-depth interviews by telephone with women in Bradford, UK, at three timepoints during their maternity journey (18 women at timepoint one, 13 at timepoint two and 14 at timepoint three). Key topics explored were physical and mental wellbeing, experience of healthcare services, relationships with partners and general impact of the pandemic. Data were analysed using the Framework approach. A longitudinal synthesis identified over-arching themes. RESULTS Three longitudinal themes captured what was important to women: (1) women feared being alone at critical points in their maternity journey, (2) the pandemic created new norms for maternity services and women's care, and (3) finding ways to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic in pregnancy and with a baby. CONCLUSIONS Modifications to maternity services impacted significantly on women's experiences. The findings have informed national and local decisions about how best to direct resources to reduce the impact of COVID-19 restrictions and the longer-term psychological impact on women during pregnancy and postnatally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cath Jackson
- Valid Research Ltd, Sandown House, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby, LS22 7DN, UK.
| | | | - Matthew Ball
- Justice Studio, 10 Portfleet Place, De Beauvoir Road, London, N1 5SZ, UK
| | - Kirsty Crossley
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Temple Bank House, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Josie Dickerson
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Temple Bank House, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Nimarta Dharni
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | | | - Ella Turner
- Justice Studio, 10 Portfleet Place, De Beauvoir Road, London, N1 5SZ, UK
| | - Laura Sheard
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, YO10 5DD, York, UK
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Neal S, Stone L, Moncrieff G, Matthews Z, Kingdon C, Topalidou A, Balaam MC, Cordey S, Crossland N, Feeley C, Powney D, Sarian A, Fenton A, Heazell AEP, de Jonge A, Severns A, Thomson G, Downe S. Assessing safe and personalised maternity and neonatal care through a pandemic: a case study of outcomes and experiences in two trusts in England using the ASPIRE COVID-19 framework. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:675. [PMID: 37349751 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09669-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in profound and far-reaching impacts on maternal and newborn care and outcomes. As part of the ASPIRE COVID-19 project, we describe processes and outcome measures relating to safe and personalised maternity care in England which we map against a pre-developed ASPIRE framework to establish the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for two UK trusts. METHODS We undertook a mixed-methods system-wide case study using quantitative routinely collected data and qualitative data from two Trusts and their service users from 2019 to 2021 (start and completion dates varied by available data). We mapped findings to our prior ASPIRE conceptual framework that explains pathways for the impact of COVID-19 on safe and personalised care. RESULTS The ASPIRE framework enabled us to develop a comprehensive, systems-level understanding of the impact of the pandemic on service delivery, user experience and staff wellbeing, and place it within the context of pre-existing challenges. Maternity services experienced some impacts on core service coverage, though not on Trust level clinical health outcomes (with the possible exception of readmissions in one Trust). Both users and staff found some pandemic-driven changes challenging such as remote or reduced antenatal and community postnatal contacts, and restrictions on companionship. Other key changes included an increased need for mental health support, changes in the availability and uptake of home birth services and changes in induction procedures. Many emergency adaptations persisted at the end of data collection. Differences between the trusts indicate complex change pathways. Staff reported some removal of bureaucracy, which allowed greater flexibility. During the first wave of COVID-19 staffing numbers increased, resolving some pre-pandemic shortages: however, by October 2021 they declined markedly. Trying to maintain the quality and availability of services had marked negative consequences for personnel. Timely routine clinical and staffing data were not always available and personalised care and user and staff experiences were poorly captured. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 crisis magnified pre-pandemic problems and in particular, poor staffing levels. Maintaining services took a significant toll on staff wellbeing. There is some evidence that these pressures are continuing. There was marked variation in Trust responses. Lack of accessible and timely data at Trust and national levels hampered rapid insights. The ASPIRE COVID-19 framework could be useful for modelling the impact of future crises on routine care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Neal
- Department of Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
| | - Lucy Stone
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Gill Moncrieff
- ReaCH Group, School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Care, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Zoë Matthews
- Department of Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Carol Kingdon
- ReaCH Group, School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Care, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Anastasia Topalidou
- ReaCH Group, School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Care, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Marie-Clare Balaam
- ReaCH Group, School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Care, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Sarah Cordey
- ReaCH Group, School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Care, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Nicola Crossland
- MAINN Group, School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Care, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Claire Feeley
- Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, Methodologies Division, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Deborah Powney
- School of Justice, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1, UK
| | - Arni Sarian
- School of Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Alan Fenton
- Newcastle Neonatal Service, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alexander E P Heazell
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Ank de Jonge
- Department of Midwifery Science, AVAG/Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Gill Thomson
- MAINN Group, School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Care, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Soo Downe
- ReaCH Group, School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Care, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
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Silverio SA, De Backer K, Brown JM, Easter A, Khazaezadeh N, Rajasingam D, Sandall J, Magee LA. Reflective, pragmatic, and reactive decision-making by maternity service providers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic health system shock: a qualitative, grounded theory analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:368. [PMID: 37210485 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05641-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant and postpartum women were identified as having particular vulnerability to severe symptomatology of SARS-CoV-2 infection, so maternity services significantly reconfigured their care provision. We examined the experiences and perceptions of maternity care staff who provided care during the pandemic in South London, United Kingdom - a region of high ethnic diversity with varied levels of social complexity. METHODS We conducted a qualitative interview study, as part of a service evaluation between August and November 2020, using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a range of staff (N = 29) working in maternity services. Data were analysed using Grounded Theory analysis appropriate to cross-disciplinary health research. ANALYSIS & FINDINGS Maternity healthcare professionals provided their views, experiences, and perceptions of delivering care during the pandemic. Analysis rendered three emergent themes regarding decision-making during reconfigured maternity service provision, organised into pathways: 1) 'Reflective decision-making'; 2) 'Pragmatic decision-making'; and 3) 'Reactive decision-making'. Whilst pragmatic decision-making was found to disrupt care, reactive-decision-making was perceived to devalue the care offered and provided. Alternatively, reflective decision-making, despite the difficult working conditions of the pandemic, was seen to benefit services, with regards to care of high-quality, sustainability of staff, and innovation within the service. CONCLUSIONS Decision-making within maternity care was found to take three forms - where at best changes to services could be innovative, at worst they could cause devaluation in care being delivered, and more often than not, these changes were disruptive. With regard to positive changes, healthcare providers identified staff empowerment, flexible working patterns (both for themselves and collectively as teams), personalised care delivery, and change-making in general, as key areas to capitalise on current and ongoing innovations borne out of the pandemic. Key learnings included a focus on care-related, meaningful listening and engagement of staff at all levels, in order to drive forward high-quality care and avoid care disruption and devaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A Silverio
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, 6th Floor Addison House, Great Maze Pond, Southwark, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
| | - Kaat De Backer
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, 10th Floor North Wing, St. Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Jeremy M Brown
- Health Research Institute, Medical School, Faculty of Health, Social Care & Medicine, Edge Hill University, St. Helen's Road, Ormskirk, L39 4QP, Lancashire, UK
| | - Abigail Easter
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, 10th Floor North Wing, St. Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Nina Khazaezadeh
- Chief Midwifery Office, NHS England and Improvement, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, Southwark, London, SE1 8UG, UK
| | - Daghni Rajasingam
- Maternity Services, St. Thomas' Hospital, Guy's and St. Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Jane Sandall
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, 10th Floor North Wing, St. Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Laura A Magee
- Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, 6th Floor Addison House, Great Maze Pond, Southwark, London, SE1 1UL, UK
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Morse H, Brown A. UK midwives' perceptions and experiences of using Facebook to provide perinatal support: Results of an exploratory online survey. PLOS DIGITAL HEALTH 2023; 2:e0000043. [PMID: 37068068 PMCID: PMC10109466 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Seeking support from Facebook groups during pregnancy is now widespread and social media has been widely used by the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) maternity services to communicate with service users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, little is currently known about midwives' attitudes towards, and experiences of social media in practice. Research is needed to understand barriers and solutions to meeting mothers' expectations of online support and to improve services. This study explored midwife involvement in Facebook groups, exploring experiences and perceptions of its use to communicate with and support mothers. An online survey consisting of open and closed questions was completed by 719 midwives and student during August- September 2020. Quantitative questionnaire data was analysed descriptively using SPSS v26. Qualitative data gathered from free text responses was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Few participants were involved in providing Facebook support, and most of these were unpaid. There was a consensus on a range of benefits for mothers, but widespread concern that engaging with mothers online was a personal and professional risk, underpinned by a lack of support. Experience of being involved in midwife moderation increased belief in its benefits and reduced fear of engaging online, despite a lack of renumeration and resources. Midwives and students felt they were discouraged from offering Facebook support and sought further training, guidance and support. Although limited, experiences of providing Facebook group support are positive. Perceptions of risk and a lack of support are significant barriers to midwives' involvement in using Facebook groups to support mothers. Midwives seek support and training to safely and effectively engage with mothers using Facebook. Engaging with mothers via social media is embedded in UK national policy and NHS digital strategy, and progress is needed to fulfil these, to improve services and meet mothers' expectations. Midwives' experiences suggest extending opportunities to provide Facebook support would benefit midwives, services and families. Consultation to revise local policy to support midwives and students in line with strategic goals is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Morse
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Social Sciences, Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom
- Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation research (LIFT), Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Brown
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Social Sciences, Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom
- Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation research (LIFT), Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom
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Moise IK, Ivanova N, Wilson C, Wilson S, Halwindi H, Spika VM. Lessons from digital technology-enabled health interventions implemented during the coronavirus pandemic to improve maternal and birth outcomes: a global scoping review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:195. [PMID: 36941565 PMCID: PMC10026210 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05454-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Timely access to essential obstetric and gynecologic healthcare is an effective method for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes; however, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted pregnancy care globally. In this global scoping review, we select and investigate peer-reviewed empirical studies related to mHealth and telehealth implemented during the pandemic to support pregnancy care and to improve birth outcomes. METHODS We searched MEDLINE and PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and Web of Science for this Review because they include peer-reviewed literature in the disciplines of behavioral sciences, medicine, clinical sciences, health-care systems, and psychology. Because our investigative searches reviewed that there is considerable 'grey literature' in this area; we did not restrict our review to any study design, methods, or place of publication. In this Review, peer-reviewed preprints were comparable to published peer-reviewed articles, with relevant articles screened accordingly. RESULTS The search identified 1851 peer reviewed articles, and after removal of duplicates, using inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 22 studies were eligible for inclusion in the review published from January 2020 to May 2022. mHealth interventions accounted for 72.7% (16 of 22 studies) and only 27.3% (6 of 22 studies) were telehealth studies. There were only 3 example studies that integrated digital technologies into healthcare systems and only 3 studies that developed and evaluated the feasibility of mobile apps. Experimental studies accounted 68.8% of mHealth studies and only 33.3% studies of telehealth studies. Key functionalities of the pregnancy apps and telehealth platforms focused on mental and physical wellness, health promotion, patient tracking, health education, and parenting support. Implemented interventions ranged from breastfeeding and selfcare to behavioral health. Facilitators of uptake included perceived benefits, user satisfaction and convenience. Mobile apps and short messaging services were the primary technologies employed in the implemented mHealth interventions. CONCLUSION Although our Review emphasizes a lack of studies on mHealth interventions and data from pregnant women during the COVID-19 crisis, the review shows that implementation of digital health interventions during emergencies are inevitable given their potential for supporting pregnancy care. There is also a need for more randomized clinical trials and longitudinal studies to better understand the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing such interventions during disease outbreaks and emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imelda K Moise
- Department of Geography & Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Ave, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA.
| | - Nicole Ivanova
- Global Health Studies Program, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, 1252 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA
| | - Cyril Wilson
- Department of Geography & Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, 54702-4004, USA
| | - Sigmond Wilson
- Department of History & Political Science, Rogers State University, 1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore, OK, 74017, USA
| | - Hikabasa Halwindi
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, P.O Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Vera M Spika
- University of Miami, 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
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Gamberini C, Angeli F, Knight L, Zaami M, Al-Nasiry S, Ambrosino E. Effect of COVID-19 on antenatal care: experiences of medical professionals in the Netherlands. Reprod Health 2023; 20:40. [PMID: 36890561 PMCID: PMC9994402 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-023-01587-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 has greatly affected the delivery of all health care services globally. Antenatal care is one area of care that has been impacted, despite the fact that attending antenatal check-ups is essential for pregnant women and cannot be postponed. Little is known about how exactly ANC provision has changed in the Netherlands, or how the changes have impacted midwives and gynaecologists providing those services. METHODS This study used a qualitative research design to investigate changes in individual and national practice following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved a document analysis of protocols and guidelines for ANC provision to evaluate how those changed following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and semi-structured interviews with ANC care providers (i.e., gynaecologists and midwives). RESULTS Guidance was issued by multiple organizations, during the pandemic, on how to approach the risk of infection in pregnant women, recommending several changes to ANC to protect both pregnant women and ANC providers. Both midwives and gynaecologists reported changes in their practice. With less face-to-face consultations happening, digital technologies became critical in the care of pregnant women. Shorter and fewer visits were reported, with midwifery practices adjusting their guidelines further than hospitals. Challenges, with high workloads and lack of personal protective equipment were discussed. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic has had an immense impact on the health care system. This impact has had both negative and positive effects on the provision of ANC in the Netherlands. It is important to learn from the current COVID-19 pandemic and adapt ANC, as well as health care systems as a whole, to be better prepared for future health crises and ensure continuous provision of good quality care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Gamberini
- Institute for Public Health Genomics (IPHG), Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Research School GROW for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Federica Angeli
- School for Business and Society, University of York, York, YO105DD, UK
| | - Lucia Knight
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
| | - Mariama Zaami
- Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, LG25, Accra, Ghana
| | - Salwan Al-Nasiry
- Research School GROW for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Ambrosino
- Institute for Public Health Genomics (IPHG), Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,Research School GROW for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Llorca J, Dierssen-Sotos T, Carrasco-Marín E, Guerra-Díez JL, Lechosa-Muñiz C, Paz-Zulueta M, Gómez-Acebo I, Cabero-Perez MJ. Time of leaving work pregnancy results during COVID-19 pandemic. The MOACC-19 cohort from Spain. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:441. [PMID: 36882824 PMCID: PMC9990053 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15357-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way pregnancies have been controlled as well as working conditions. In countries with paid leave of work, leaving earlier has been a relevant measure for controlling the pandemic. No study has been published on factors associated with earlier leaving work in pregnancy and the consequences it could have on pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE We aimed to identify woman and pregnancy characteristics associated with leaving work earlier and its consequences on pregnancy results. METHOD A cohort study was carried out in Cantabria, Northern Spain, including 760 women who were pregnant in 2020 and were working at the beginning of their pregnancy. Data on pregnancy characteristics and results were obtained from medical records and gestational age at leaving work was self-reported. In a logistic regression analysis, leaving work before 26th week of pregnancy was the main effect variable. RESULTS Several factors were associated with lower probability of leaving work before 26th week, including university studies (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.68), having presential work (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.81), women born in non-European countries (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.30, 1.01) and non-smokers (OR for smokers = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.87). Neither type of delivery, gestational age at delivery nor other pregnancy results were associated with the gestational age of leaving work. CONCLUSION Several pregnancy and women characteristics were associated with leaving work earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, although it was not associated with any pregnancy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Llorca
- Universidad de Cantabria- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Santander, Spain
| | - Trinidad Dierssen-Sotos
- Universidad de Cantabria-IDIVAL-CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Santander, Spain. .,Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, 39792, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | - Inés Gómez-Acebo
- Universidad de Cantabria-IDIVAL-CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Santander, Spain
| | - María J Cabero-Perez
- Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
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Hinton L, Dumelow C, Hodgkinson J, Montgomery C, Martin A, Allen C, Tucker K, Green ME, Wilson H, McManus RJ, Chappell LC, Band R. 'Nesting networks': Women's experiences of social network support in high-risk pregnancy. Midwifery 2023; 120:103622. [PMID: 36893551 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Social support, an individual's social relationships (both online and offline), may provide protection against adverse mental health outcomes, such as anxiety and depression, which are high in women who have been hospitalised with high-risk pregnancy. This study explored the social support available to women at higher risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy by examining personal social networks. DESIGN Semi-structured interviews were accompanied by social network mapping using the web-based social networking tool GENIE. SETTING England. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-one women were recruited, of whom 18 were interviewed both during pregnancy and postnatally between April 2019 and April 2020. Nineteen women completed maps pre-natally, 17 women completed maps pre-natally and post-natally. Women were taking part in the BUMP study, a randomised clinical trial that included 2441 pregnant individuals at higher risk of preeclampsia and recruited at a mean of 20 weeks' gestation from 15 hospital maternity units in England between November 2018 and October 2019. RESULTS Women's social networks tightened during pregnancy. The inner network changed most dramatically postnatally with women reporting fewer network members. Interviews revealed networks were primarily 'real-life' rather than online social networks, with members providing emotional, informational, and practical support. Women with a high-risk pregnancy valued the relationships they developed with health professionals during pregnancy, and would like their midwife to have a more central role in their networks by providing informational and, where needed, emotional support. The social network mapping data supported the qualitative accounts of changing networks across high-risk pregnancy. CONCLUSION Women with a high-risk pregnancy seek to build "nesting networks" to support them through pregnancy into motherhood. Different types of support are sought from trusted sources. Midwives can play a key role. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS As well as highlighting other potential needs during pregnancy and the ways in which they can be met, support from midwives has a key role. Through talking to women early in their pregnancy, signposting information and explaining ways to contact health professionals regarding informational or emotional support would fill a gap that currently is met by other aspects of their network.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Hinton
- The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute, University of Cambridge.
| | - C Dumelow
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - J Hodgkinson
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - C Montgomery
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - A Martin
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - C Allen
- School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. SO17 1BJ
| | - K Tucker
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | | | - H Wilson
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, London
| | - R J McManus
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - L C Chappell
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, London
| | - R Band
- School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. SO17 1BJ
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Oberndorfer M, Henery PM, Dundas R, Leyland AH, Paranjothy S, Stock SJ, Wood R, Nelson SM, Kearns R, Pearce A. Study protocol: examining the impacts of COVID-19 mitigation measures on pregnancy and birth outcomes in Scotland-a linked administrative data study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e066293. [PMID: 36792327 PMCID: PMC9933130 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This protocol outlines aims to test the wider impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnancy and birth outcomes and inequalities in Scotland. METHOD AND ANALYSIS We will analyse Scottish linked administrative data for pregnancies and births before (March 2010 to March 2020) and during (April 2020 to October 2020) the pandemic. The Community Health Index database will be used to link the National Records of Scotland Births and the Scottish Morbidity Record 02. The data will include about 500 000 mother-child pairs. We will investigate population-level changes in maternal behaviour (smoking at antenatal care booking, infant feeding on discharge), pregnancy and birth outcomes (birth weight, preterm birth, Apgar score, stillbirth, neonatal death, pre-eclampsia) and service use (mode of delivery, mode of anaesthesia, neonatal unit admission) during the COVID-19 pandemic using two analytical approaches. First, we will estimate interrupted times series regression models to describe changes in outcomes comparing prepandemic with pandemic periods. Second, we will analyse the effect of COVID-19 mitigation measures on our outcomes in more detail by creating cumulative exposure variables for each mother-child pair using the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker. Thus, estimating a potential dose-response relationship between exposure to mitigation measures and our outcomes of interest as well as assessing if timing of exposure during pregnancy matters. Finally, we will assess inequalities in the effect of cumulative exposure to lockdown measures on outcomes using several axes of inequality: ethnicity/mother's country of birth, area deprivation (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation), urban-rural classification of residence, number of previous children, maternal social position (National Statistics Socioeconomic Classification) and parental relationship status. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION NHS Scotland Public Benefit and Privacy Panel for Health and Social Care scrutinised and approved the use of these data (1920-0097). Results of this study will be disseminated to the research community, practitioners, policy makers and the wider public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Oberndorfer
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | | | - Ruth Dundas
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alastair H Leyland
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Sarah Jane Stock
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rachael Wood
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Scott M Nelson
- Dentristy and Nursing, School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rachel Kearns
- Dentristy and Nursing, School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anna Pearce
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Montgomery E, De Backer K, Easter A, Magee LA, Sandall J, Silverio SA. Navigating uncertainty alone: A grounded theory analysis of women's psycho-social experiences of pregnancy and childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in London. Women Birth 2023; 36:e106-e117. [PMID: 35610170 PMCID: PMC9110569 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
PROBLEM Maternity care underwent substantial reconfiguration in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND COVID-19 posed an unprecedented public health crisis, risking population health and causing a significant health system shock. AIM To explore the psycho-social experiences of women who received maternity care and gave birth in South London during the first 'lockdown'. METHODS We recruited women (N = 23) to semi-structured interviews, conducted virtually. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analysed by hand. A Classical Grounded Theory Analysis was followed including line-by-line coding, focused coding, development of super-categories followed by themes, and finally the generation of a theory. FINDINGS Iterative and inductive analysis generated six emergent themes, sorted into three dyadic pairs: 1 & 2: Lack of relational care vs. Good practice persisting during the pandemic; 3 & 4: Denying the embodied experience of pregnancy and birth vs. Trying to keep everyone safe; and 5 & 6: Removed from support network vs. Importance of being at home as a family. Together, these themes interact to form the theory: 'Navigating uncertainty alone'. DISCUSSION Women's pregnancy and childbirth journeys during the pandemic were reported as having positive and negative experiences which would counteract one-another. Lack of relational care, denial of embodied experiences, and removal from support networks were counterbalanced by good practice which persisted, understanding staff were trying to keep everyone safe, and renewed importance in the family unit. CONCLUSION Pregnancy can be an uncertain time for women. This was compounded by having to navigate their maternity journey alone during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Montgomery
- Department of Midwifery, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kaat De Backer
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Abigail Easter
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura A. Magee
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Sandall
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio A. Silverio
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Correspondence to: Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King’s College London, Research Office 4, 10th Floor North Wing, St. Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London, SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
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Siafaka V, Tsonis O, Christogiannis C, Kontouli KM, Margariti K, Barbalia Z, Flindris S, Manifava E, Paschopoulou KI, Tzioras S, Baltogianni M, Mavridis D, Paschopoulos M. Psychometric properties of the Greek versions of the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale and the Pandemic-Related Postpartum Stress Scale and associated risk factors during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e25. [PMID: 36721918 PMCID: PMC9970181 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has affected perinatal mental health. Reliable tools are needed to assess perinatal stress during pandemic situations. AIMS To assess the psychometric properties of the Greek versions of the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale (PREPS) and the Pandemic-Related Postpartum Stress Scale (PREPS-PP) and to explore the associations between women's characteristics and perinatal stress during the second pandemic wave. METHODS The PREPS and PREPS-PP were completed by 264 pregnant and 188 postpartum women, respectively, who also completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS). RESULTS The internal consistency was similar for PREPS and PREPS-PP. It was good for preparedness stress (a = 0.77 and α = 0.71, respectively) and infection stress (α = 0.83 for both scales) but low for positive appraisal (α = 0.46 and α = 0.41, respectively). Of the pregnant women, 55.33% and 55.27%, respectively, reported scores of ≥40 on STAI-S and STAI-T, and the respective percentages for the postpartum women were 47.34% and 46.80%. In addition, 14.39% of the pregnant women and 20.74% of the postpartum women scored ≥13 on the EPDS. Higher preparedness stress on PREPS and PREPS-PP was associated with primiparity (P = 0.022 and P = 0.021, respectively) and disrupted perinatal care (P = 0.069 and P = 0.007, respectively). In postpartum women, higher infection stress was associated with chronic disease (P = 0.037), primiparity (P = 0.02) and perceived risk of infection (P = 0.065). Higher score on infection stress was associated with disrupted perinatal care in both groups (P = 0.107 and P = 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The Greek versions of PREPS and PREPS-PP are valid tools for the assessment of women at risk of perinatal stress during a health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Orestis Tsonis
- Assisted Conception Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Christos Christogiannis
- Evidence Synthesis Methods Team, Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Katerina-Maria Kontouli
- Evidence Synthesis Methods Team, Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Kalypso Margariti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Zoe Barbalia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Stefanos Flindris
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Eleni Manifava
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | | | - Maria Baltogianni
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dimitris Mavridis
- Evidence Synthesis Methods Team, Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Minas Paschopoulos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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Turner SE, Brockway M, Azad MB, Grant A, Tomfohr-Madsen L, Brown A. Breastfeeding in the pandemic: A qualitative analysis of breastfeeding experiences among mothers from Canada and the United Kingdom. Women Birth 2023:S1871-5192(23)00015-X. [PMID: 36669903 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research shows that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in both barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding. However, little research has looked specifically at first-time mothers' experiences of breastfeeding during the pandemic or compared experiences of mothers living in different countries. AIM This research explores mothers' breastfeeding experiences to describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected breastfeeding journeys in Canada and the United Kingdom. METHODS Ten semi-structured online interviews were undertaken with first-time mothers who breastfed their baby at least once during the COVID-19 pandemic and are living in Canada or the United Kingdom. Interview transcripts were coded inductively using thematic analysis. FINDINGS One overarching theme (all on mother) and four sub-themes were identified: 1) accessing and advocating for health care, 2) social support, 3) becoming a mother in isolation, and 4) breastfeeding baby. Similar themes were constructed for both countries. DISCUSSION Mothers reported that diminished health care and social support created challenges in their breastfeeding journey. Many mothers reported receiving virtual breastfeeding support, which was largely experienced as unhelpful. Some mothers reported fewer distractions from visitors and more one-on-one time with their infant, which helped them to establish breastfeeding and a strong mother-infant bond. CONCLUSION In both Canada and the United Kingdom, new mothers need consistent, reliable health care and social support when breastfeeding. This study supports the need to protect breastfeeding support in the midst of a global emergency and beyond to ensure positive breastfeeding experiences for both mother and baby.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Turner
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, 715 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P4, Canada; Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Center (MILC), 715 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P4, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W3, Canada.
| | - Meredith Brockway
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, 2259 2800, Professional Faculties, University Way NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4V8, Canada
| | - Meghan B Azad
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, 715 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P4, Canada; Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Center (MILC), 715 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P4, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W3, Canada; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, 840 Sherbrook St, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1S1, Canada
| | - Aimee Grant
- Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation (LIFT), Swansea University, University Singleton Park Campus, Haldane Building, Sketty, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom; School of Health and Social Care, Swansea University, University Singleton Park Campus, Haldane Building, Sketty, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, University of British Columbia, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Amy Brown
- Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation (LIFT), Swansea University, University Singleton Park Campus, Haldane Building, Sketty, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom; School of Health and Social Care, Swansea University, University Singleton Park Campus, Haldane Building, Sketty, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
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47
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Harrison S, Alderdice F, Quigley MA. Impact of sampling and data collection methods on maternity survey response: a randomised controlled trial of paper and push-to-web surveys and a concurrent social media survey. BMC Med Res Methodol 2023; 23:10. [PMID: 36635637 PMCID: PMC9835028 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-023-01833-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Novel survey methods are needed to tackle declining response rates. The 2020 National Maternity Survey included a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and social media survey to compare different combinations of sampling and data collection methods with respect to: response rate, respondent representativeness, prevalence estimates of maternity indicators and cost. METHODS A two-armed parallel RCT and concurrent social media survey were conducted. Women in the RCT were sampled from ONS birth registrations and randomised to either a paper or push-to-web survey. Women in the social media survey self-selected through online adverts. The primary outcome was response rate in the paper and push-to-web surveys. In all surveys, respondent representativeness was assessed by comparing distributions of sociodemographic characteristics in respondents with those of the target population. External validity of prevalence estimates of maternity indicators was assessed by comparing weighted survey estimates with estimates from national routine data. Cost was also compared across surveys. RESULTS The response rate was higher in the paper survey (n = 2,446) compared to the push-to-web survey (n = 2,165)(30.6% versus 27.1%, difference = 3.5%, 95%CI = 2.1-4.9, p < 0.0001). Compared to the target population, respondents in all surveys were less likely to be aged < 25 years, of Black or Minority ethnicity, born outside the UK, living in disadvantaged areas, living without a partner and primiparous. Women in the social media survey (n = 1,316) were less representative of the target population compared to women in the paper and push-to-web surveys. For some maternity indicators, weighted survey estimates were close to estimates from routine data, for other indicators there were discrepancies; no survey demonstrated consistently higher external validity than the other two surveys. Compared to the paper survey, the cost saving per respondent was £5.45 for the push-to-web survey and £22.42 for the social media survey. CONCLUSIONS Push-to-web surveys may cost less than paper surveys but do not necessarily result in higher response rates. Social media surveys cost significantly less than paper and push-to-web surveys, but sample size may be limited by eligibility criteria and recruitment window and respondents may be less representative of the target population. However, reduced representativeness does not necessarily introduce more bias in weighted survey estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siân Harrison
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF UK
| | - Fiona Alderdice
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF UK
| | - Maria A. Quigley
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF UK
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Kim ME, Heo ML. Evaluating the Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2023; 16:655-666. [PMID: 37064797 PMCID: PMC10094398 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s401210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to translate the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale into Korean and validate the translated instrument. Patients and Methods After translating the instrument, seven items of two factors (preparedness and perinatal infection stress) were selected for content validity testing. Validity and reliability were evaluated using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 26.0. An online survey, via Google Forms, was conducted from January 20 to January 26, 2022. Participants were 283 pregnant women in Korea who consented to participate in the study. Results Exploratory factor analysis revealed factor loadings on two factors of 0.64-0.87 with a total variance explained of 69.77%. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated good model fit (RMR = 0.03, RMSEA = 0.06, GFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.03), and convergent and discriminant validity were established. Concurrent validity was established based on the correlation with the Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (r = 0.45), and the reliability of the final instrument was indicated by Cronbach's α = 0.87. Conclusion The Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale was validated for use in the Korean population. The Korean version of the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale can be utilized to measure pandemic-related stress in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Eun Kim
- Department of Nursing, Jeonju University, Jeonju-si, Korea
| | - Myoung-Lyun Heo
- Department of Nursing, Jeonju University, Jeonju-si, Korea
- Correspondence: Myoung-Lyun Heo, Department of Nursing, Jeonju University, Jeonju-si, 55069, South Korea, Tel +82-63-2209, Fax +82-63-220-2054, Email
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49
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Currie JLD, Saso S, Guerrero K, Davies M. Impact of covid-19 on subspecialty training in obstetrics and gynaecology. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2022; 42:3545-3551. [PMID: 36534027 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2153654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic brought substantial changes in clinical practice in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O and G). Redeployment of staff and restrictions in elective services raised training concerns. We sought to assess the impact on subspecialty training, to identify issues to help mitigate the impact. We conducted cross-sectional anonymous electronic surveys of UK subspecialty trainees at three time points: June 2020, February 2021, September 2021. Surveys were analysed by descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of free-text responses. Response rates ranged from 30% to 40%, with higher response rates from urogynaecology trainees. Up to 72% reported an impact on training, most notable in gynaecological subspecialties, and particularly urogynaecology, which persisted over time. More than a third anticipated needing extra time to complete training. This raises serious future workforce and patient care concerns. Clinical recovery should consider training needs as essential when re-establishing services. Subspecialty trainees may need additional time to achieve competencies required of future consultants.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on the subject? Covid-19 led to dramatic changes in clinical practice in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Previous studies on training in O and G during the pandemic in the UK and internationally highlighted issues from redeployment, trainee absence, and changes in service provision, that had potential to severely impact training.What do the results of this study add? Subspecialty training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology has been affected by the pandemic. Urogynaecology was worst affected and continues to be affected over the course of the pandemic.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Covid-19 recovery plans need to incorporate training requirements. Extended training due to the pandemic may affect consultant workforce numbers and thus service provision in tertiary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane L. D. Currie
- St Michael's Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
- EGA Institute for Women’s Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Srdjan Saso
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, UK
- Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Karen Guerrero
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Melanie Davies
- EGA Institute for Women’s Health, UCL, London, UK
- University College London Hospitals, London, UK
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50
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Adesanya AM, Barrett S, Moffat M, Aquino MRJ, Nicholson W, Turner G, Cook E, Tyndall S, Rankin J. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on expectant and new parents' experience of pregnancy, childbirth, breast feeding, parental responsiveness and sensitivity, and bonding and attunement in high-income countries: a systematic review of the evidence. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e066963. [PMID: 36523240 PMCID: PMC9748518 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To review the evidence on how pregnancy, birth experience, breast feeding, parental responsiveness and sensitivity, and bonding and attunement were impacted by COVID-19. METHODS We searched eight literature databases and websites of relevant UK-based organisations. The review focused on evidence during pregnancy and the early years (0-5 years). Studies of any study design published in English from 1 March 2020 to 15 March 2021 and conducted in high-income countries were included. Screening and data extraction were undertaken in duplicate. Evidence was synthesised using a narrative approach. Study quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS The search yielded 9776 publications, of which 26 met our inclusion criteria. Significant knowledge gaps on how COVID-19 affected pregnancy and breast feeding limited healthcare providers' ability to provide consistent evidence-based information and care at the start of the pandemic. There was an enduring sense of loss about loved ones being restricted from taking part in key moments. Parents were concerned about the limitations of virtual healthcare provision. Some parents reported more opportunities for responsive breast feeding and improved parent-infant bonding due to reduced social and work pressures. Women from minoritised ethnic groups were less likely to continue breast feeding and attributed this to a lack of face-to-face support. CONCLUSIONS The evidence suggests that new and expectant families have been both negatively and positively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions. The impacts on parents' opportunities to bond with their young children and to be attuned to their needs were felt unequally. It is important that emergency response policies consider the mother and the partner as a family unit when making changes to the delivery of maternal and child health and care services, so as to mitigate the impact on the family and existing health inequalities. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021236769.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adenike Motunrayo Adesanya
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Simon Barrett
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Malcolm Moffat
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Maria Raisa Jessica Aquino
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Wendy Nicholson
- Office of Health Improvement and Disparities, UK Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - Gillian Turner
- Office of Health Improvement and Disparities, UK Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - Emma Cook
- Office of Health Improvement and Disparities, UK Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - Sarah Tyndall
- Office of Health Improvement and Disparities, UK Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - Judith Rankin
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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