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Premji SS, Lalani S, Ghani F, Nausheen S, Forcheh N, Omuse G, Letourneau N, Babar N, Sulaiman S, Wangira M, Ali SS, Islam N, Dosani A, Yim IS. Allostatic Load as a Mediator and Perceived Chronic Stress as a Moderator in the Association between Maternal Mental Health and Preterm Birth: A Prospective Cohort Study of Pregnant Women in Pakistan. Psychopathology 2024:1-20. [PMID: 39342939 DOI: 10.1159/000540579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The complex biopsychosocial pathways linking maternal mental health with preterm birth (PTB) are not well understood. This study aimed to explore allostatic load (AL) as a mediator and perceived chronic stress as a moderator in the pathway linking maternal mental health and PTB. METHODS A cohort study of pregnant women (n = 1,567) recruited at clinic visits within 10-19 weeks of gestation was assessed for maternal mental health (i.e., pregnancy-related anxiety, state anxiety, depressive symptoms) and perceived chronic stress. Blood pressure and levels of cortisol, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and glycosylated hemoglobin were used to create a composite measure of AL. RESULTS AL had the most significant effect on PTB (odds ratio (OR) = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.26-12.67, p = 0.001), while systolic blood pressure emerged as the only significant individual marker using variable selection (OR = 22%, 95% CI = 1.06-1.40, p < 0.001) in multiple logistic regression analysis. A mediation analysis revealed that maternal mental health did not have a significant direct effect on PTB (p = 0.824), but its indirect effect mediated by AL was significant (z = 2.33, p < 0.020). Low and high levels of perceived chronic stress, relative to the mean, moderated this indirect effect (z = 3.66, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AL has a significant direct influence on PTB and mediates the effect of maternal mental health on PTB; however, the indirect effect of AL is indistinguishable between women with higher or lower levels of perceived chronic stress than normal.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sharifa Lalani
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Farooq Ghani
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sidrah Nausheen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ntonghanwah Forcheh
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Omuse
- Department of Pathology, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Neelofur Babar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Salima Sulaiman
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada
| | - Musana Wangira
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Shahnaz Shahid Ali
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nazneen Islam
- Molecular Pathology, Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Aliyah Dosani
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Community and Education, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ilona S Yim
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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Zhao T, Jhangri GS, Dobson KS, Li JY, Premji SS, Tao F, Zhu B, Yamamoto SS. The impact of prenatal mental health on birth outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Anhui, China. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308327. [PMID: 39106266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308327] [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: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Adverse birth outcomes remain challenging public health problems in China. Increasing evidence indicated that prenatal depression and anxiety are associated with adverse birth outcomes, highlighting the importance and severity of prenatal depression and anxiety in China. The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to further exacerbate prenatal mental health problems and increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes. The aim of this study is to assess and compare the impacts of prenatal mental health issues on birth outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ma'anshan, Anhui, China. Participants in this study were women who visited local maternal and child health hospitals in Ma'anshan, Anhui, China. Two independent sets of individual maternal data (npre-pamdemic = 1148; npandemic = 2249) were collected. Prenatal depression and anxiety were measured online using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Adverse birth outcomes were determined using hospital-recorded infant birth weight and gestational age at delivery. In this study, we found that the pandemic cohort had lower mean EPDS and GAD-7 scores than the pre-pandemic cohort. The prevalence of prenatal depression (14.5%) and anxiety (26.7%) among the pandemic cohort were lower than the pre-pandemic cohort (18.6% and 36.3%). No significant difference was found in the prevalence of adverse birth outcomes comparing the two cohorts. Prenatal depression was associated with small gestational age only in the pandemic cohort (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.00-1.19, p = 0.042). Overall, this study highlighted an association between prenatal depression and small for gestational age in Anhui, China. Addressing prenatal depression may thus be key in improving birth outcomes. Future studies could focus on potential causal relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Zhao
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gian S Jhangri
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Keith S Dobson
- Faculty of Arts, Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jessica Yijia Li
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Shahirose S Premji
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Beibei Zhu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shelby S Yamamoto
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Waqas A, Siddique I, Ahsen M, Zubair M, Naeem M, Memon AR, Naveed S. Exploring relationship of poor sleeping habits with prenatal stress among pregnant women in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study. BMC Res Notes 2024; 17:110. [PMID: 38641820 PMCID: PMC11031876 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-024-06756-1] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pregnancy is a complex phenomenon accompanied by biological, physiological and psychosocial changes for a mother. It is also regarded as a stressful life event where a woman's role, identity and interpersonal relationships are restructured. The present study from Pakistan explores the association of sleep quality and poor sleeping habits with prenatal stress using Pittsburgh Sleep quality Index. RESULTS There were a total of 516 women (mean age = 29.82 years), with more than half reporting poor sleep quality. Ethnically, a majority (395, 76.6%) were natives of the Punjab province while rest were non-natives. A high percentage of respondents reported poor subjective sleep quality (22.1%), sleep latency (44.1%), habitual sleep efficiency (27.5%), sleep disturbance (30.1%), use of medications (7.1%) and daytime dysfunction (29.5%). According to logistic regression analysis, respondents with poor sleep quality were 2.24 (95% CI = 1.55-3.22, P < 0.001) times more likely to have high stress levels (P < 0.001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Waqas
- Department of Primary Care & Mental Health, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Irfan Siddique
- Children Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Mehak Naeem
- Children Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Aamir Raoof Memon
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sadiq Naveed
- Psychiatry Program Director, Eastern Connecticut Health Network, Manchester, CT, USA
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Concepcion T, Velloza J, Kemp CG, Bhat A, Bennett IM, Rao D, Polyak CS, Ake JA, Esber A, Dear N, Maswai J, Owuoth J, Sing'oei V, Bahemana E, Iroezindu M, Kibuuka H, Collins PY. Perinatal Depressive Symptoms and Viral Non-suppression Among a Prospective Cohort of Pregnant Women Living with HIV in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:783-795. [PMID: 36210392 PMCID: PMC9944362 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03810-6] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Depression is common during pregnancy and is associated with reduced adherence to HIV-related care, though little is known about perinatal trajectories of depression and viral suppression among women living with HIV (WLHV) in sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to assess any association between perinatal depressive symptoms and viral non-suppression among WLWH. Depressive symptomatology and viral load data were collected every 6 months from WLWH enrolled in the African Cohort Study (AFRICOS; January 2013-February 2020). Generalized estimating equations modeled associations between depressive symptoms [Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) ≥ 16] and viral non-suppression. Of 1722 WLWH, 248 (14.4%) had at least one pregnancy (291 total) and for 61 pregnancies (21.0%), women reported depressive symptoms (13.4% pre-conception, 7.6% pregnancy, 5.5% one-year postpartum). Depressive symptomatology was associated with increased odds of viral non-suppression (aOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2-4.0, p = 0.011). Identification and treatment of depression among women with HIV may improve HIV outcomes for mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Concepcion
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer Velloza
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christopher G Kemp
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amritha Bhat
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ian M Bennett
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Deepa Rao
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christina S Polyak
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Julie A Ake
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Allahna Esber
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nicole Dear
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jonah Maswai
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- US Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Kericho, Kenya
| | - John Owuoth
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Kisumu, Kenya
- HJF Medical Research International, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Valentine Sing'oei
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Kisumu, Kenya
- HJF Medical Research International, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Emmanuel Bahemana
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- HJF Medical Research International, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Michael Iroezindu
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- HJF Medical Research International, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Hannah Kibuuka
- Makerere University Walter Reed Project, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Pamela Y Collins
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Premji SS, Pana GS, Cuncannon A, Ronksley PE, Dosani A, Hayden KA, Lalani S, Musana JW, Shaikh K, Yim IS. Prenatal allostatic load and preterm birth: A systematic review. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1004073. [PMID: 36267082 PMCID: PMC9577361 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1004073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveAllostatic load refers to cumulative neuroendocrine burden and has been postulated to mediate and moderate physiological and psychological stress-related responses. This may have important implications for the risk of preterm birth. This systematic review examines the evidence on the association between prenatal allostatic load and preterm birth.Data sourcesA comprehensive search of seven electronic databases was conducted from inception to August 23, 2022 to identify all English-language observational and mixed methods studies examining allostatic load and preterm birth with no year or geographic restrictions.Study eligibility criteriaStudies were included if they measured allostatic load, evaluated as the cumulative effect of any combination of more than one allostatic load biomarker, during pregnancy. Studies must have observed preterm birth, defined as < 37 weeks' gestational age, as a primary or secondary outcome of interest.Study appraisal and synthesis methodsThe Quality In Prognosis Studies tool was used to evaluate risk of bias within included studies. A narrative synthesis was conducted to explore potential associations between allostatic load and preterm birth, and sources of heterogeneity.ResultsThree prospective cohort studies were identified and revealed mixed evidence for an association between allostatic load and preterm birth. One study reported a statistically significant association while the other two studies reported little to no evidence for an association. Heterogeneity in when and how allostatic load was measured, limitations in study design and cohort socio-demographics may have contributed to the mixed evidence.ConclusionsThis review provides insight into key individual-, community-, and study-level characteristics that may influence the association between allostatic load and preterm birth. Knowledge gaps are identified as foci for future research, including heterogeneity in allostatic load biomarkers and allostatic load index algorithms as well as pregnancy-specific considerations for allostatic load measurement. Further investigation of the allostatic load framework in the context of perinatal mental health is needed to advance understandings of maternal, infant, and child health.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020208990, PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42020208990.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahirose Sadrudin Premji
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Shahirose Sadrudin Premji
| | - Gianella Santos Pana
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Community and Education, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Paul E. Ronksley
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Aliyah Dosani
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Community and Education, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - K. Alix Hayden
- Libraries and Cultural Resources, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sharifa Lalani
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Joseph Wangira Musana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kiran Shaikh
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ilona S. Yim
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Musana J, Cohen CR, Kuppermann M, Gerona R, Wanyoro A, Aguilar D, Santos N, Temmerman M, Weiss SJ. Obstetric risk in pregnancy interacts with hair cortisone levels to reduce gestational length. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 3:878538. [PMID: 35936818 PMCID: PMC9354598 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.878538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Maternal psychological stress has been linked to preterm birth. However, the differential contribution of psychological stress versus stress hormones is not clear. Studies focus primarily on perceived stress and cortisol, with few assessing its inter-convertible hormone cortisone. Furthermore, little is known about the potential moderating roles of obstetric risk and fetal sex in the relationship between maternal stress and gestational length. This gap in knowledge is particularly evident for rural women who typically experience chronic multiple stressors during pregnancy. We explored the relationship of hormonal and psychological stress to gestational length and the effects of obstetric risks and fetal sex on this relationship among Kenyan pregnant women. Methods The sample included 130 women recruited between 22 to 28 weeks gestation. They completed a clinical and sociodemographic questionnaire together with the Perceived Stress Scale and provided a hair sample for cortisol and cortisone assay. Women underwent an ultrasound to assess weeks of gestation. At delivery, their pregnancy-related health problems were identified using information extracted from medical records to compile each woman's number of pregnancy risks on the Obstetric Medical Risk Index (OMRI). Results Perceived stress and hair cortisol were not significant predictors of gestational length. However, a greater number of obstetric risks on the OMRI was associated with shorter gestational length. This effect was further explained by the interaction between obstetric risk and hair cortisone (B = 0.709, p = 0.02). Hair cortisone levels of mothers who had a shorter gestation were significantly higher in mothers with 2 or more risks on the OMRI but not among mothers with only one or no risks (t = 2.39, p = 0.02). Fetal sex had no relationship to gestational length and also had no moderating effect on the relationship between any stress-related metric and gestational length. Conclusion Cortisone levels may increase in anticipation of shorter gestation as a compensatory response to increased obstetric risk. Elevated cortisone may be a more sensitive marker of risk for early delivery than cortisol or psychological stress, with salience for both the male and female fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Musana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
- *Correspondence: Joseph Musana
| | - Craig R. Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Miriam Kuppermann
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Roy Gerona
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Anthony Wanyoro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David Aguilar
- Clinical Toxicology and Environmental Biomonitoring Lab, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Nicole Santos
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Marleen Temmerman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sandra J. Weiss
- Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Sulaiman S, Premji SS, Tavangar F, Yim IS, Lebold M. Total Adverse Childhood Experiences and Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review. Matern Child Health J 2021; 25:1581-1594. [PMID: 34036452 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-021-03176-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Total adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are gaining prominence as a risk factor for preterm birth (PTB). The emerging literature examining this relationship reports inconsistent findings. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the available evidence exploring whether total ACEs predict PTB. METHODS A total of 386 studies were returned from searches on PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Nine studies were selected for final analysis and synthesis based on reporting of total ACEs and preterm birth gestational weeks or standard definition of birth before 37 weeks' gestational age. A systematic review rather than meta-analysis was selected to present the findings given the clinical and methodological (e.g., sample studied, measurement tools) heterogeneity of the retrieved studies and pregnancy outcomes measured. RESULTS The nine studies report on birth outcomes for 6,087 women from a range of sociodemographic and ethnic backgrounds. Despite a wide range of study designs, measurement tools, and timings of ACEs exposure across studies, seven of the nine included studies showed significant relationships between ACEs and PTB. CONCLUSION Systematic review of the literature suggests that total ACEs are associated with PTB and provides an overview on the known associations. However, to date only nine studies have assessed this link, and more studies are needed, to explore the associations between ACEs and PTB using appropriate and valid instruments and doing so among more diverse populations. Future research should also explore possible biological mechanisms (allostatic load), and moderating and mediating variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salima Sulaiman
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Farideh Tavangar
- Faculty of Health, School of Nursing, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ilona S Yim
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Margaret Lebold
- Faculty of Health, School of Nursing, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Perceived stress may mediate the relationship between antenatal depressive symptoms and preterm birth: A pilot observational cohort study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250982. [PMID: 33945579 PMCID: PMC8096039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Screening for changes in pregnancy-related anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy may further our understanding of the relationship between these two variables and preterm birth. Objectives To determine whether changes in pregnancy-related anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy influence the risk of preterm birth among Pakistani women; explore whether perceived stress moderates or mediates this relationship, and examine the relationship between the various components of pregnancy-related anxiety and preterm birth. Methods A prospective cohort study design was used to recruit a diverse sample of 300 low-risk pregnant women from four centers of Aga Khan Hospital for Women and Children in Karachi, Pakistan. Changes in pregnancy-related anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy were tested. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine a predictive model for preterm birth. We then determined if the influence of perceived stress could moderate or mediate the effect of depressive symptoms on preterm birth. Results Changes in pregnancy-related anxiety (OR = 1.1, CI 0.97–1.17, p = 0.167) and depressive symptoms (OR = 0.9, CI 0.85–1.03, p = 0.179) were insignificant as predictors of preterm birth after adjusting for the effects of maternal education and family type. When perceived stress was added into the model, we found that changes in depressive symptoms became marginally significant after adjusting for covariates (OR = 0.9, CI 0.82–1.01, p = 0.082). After adjusting for the mediation effect of change in perceived stress, the effect of change in depressive symptoms on preterm birth were marginally significant after adjusting for covariates. Among six different dimensions of pregnancy-related anxiety, mother’s concerns about fetal health showed a trend towards being predictive of preterm birth (OR = 1.3, CI 0.97–1.72, p = 0.078). Conclusions There may be a relationship between perceived stress and antenatal depressive symptoms and preterm birth. This is the first study of its kind to be conducted in Pakistan. Further research is required to validate these results.
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Musana JW, Cohen CR, Kuppermann M, Gerona R, Wanyoro A, Aguilar D, Santos N, Temmerman M, Weiss SJ. Association of differential symptoms of stress to hair cortisol and cortisone concentrations among pregnant women in Kenya. Stress 2020; 23:556-566. [PMID: 31747807 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2019.1696305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to characterize the stress experienced by pregnant women in Kenya and assess the relationship between perceived stress and stress-related biomarkers of cortisol and cortisone.Background: Kenyan women are exposed to multiple stressors that may result in chronic stress. However, antenatal stress has not been examined and characterized in Kenya; nor has the relationship between pregnant women's self-reported stress and stress biomarkers been established.Methods: One hundred and fifty women were recruited between 22 and 28 weeks gestation. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Hair samples were obtained for analysis of cortisol and cortisone. Factor analysis was used to extract unique clusters of stress symptoms from items in the PSS. Regression models were computed to examine relationships of stress to cortisone and cortisol, controlling for obstetric risk.Results: Mean age of the women was 25 years (SD = 5, ±16-41). Their degree of perceived stress and cortisol/cortisone concentrations both indicated moderate levels of stress. There was no association between general perceived stress and either hair cortisol or cortisone. However, factor analysis of the PSS identified three clusters of stress symptoms and one cluster - a woman's negative frame of mind regarding life and inefficacy in handling its problems - was associated with higher levels of cortisone (β= -.231, p = 0.011).Conclusions: Specific stress symptoms may have unique relationships to specific biomarkers and be more useful in assessment than general perceived stress. Assays of both hair cortisol and cortisone might enable a more comprehensive assessment of glucocorticoid activity and better prediction of health risks from stress.Lay summaryUnderstanding stress among rural pregnant Kenyan women may help in addressing risks during pregnancy that lead to adverse birth outcomes. Findings suggest that a woman's tendency to think negatively about life and to doubt her ability to handle life's problems are symptoms of stress that may contribute to higher levels of stress hormones. Assessing women's specific symptoms of stress and different stress hormones during pregnancy may more effectively identify women who need intervention to reduce their health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W Musana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Craig R Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Miriam Kuppermann
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Roy Gerona
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anthony Wanyoro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David Aguilar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nicole Santos
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marleen Temmerman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sandra J Weiss
- Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Shaikh K, Premji SS, Lalani S, Forcheh N, Dosani A, Yim IS, Samia P, Naugler C, Letourneau N. Ethnic disparity and exposure to supplements rather than adverse childhood experiences linked to preterm birth in Pakistani women. J Affect Disord 2020; 267:49-56. [PMID: 32063572 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with prenatal mental health and negative pregnancy outcomes in high income countries, but whether the same association exists in Pakistan, a low- to middle-income (LMI) country, remains unclear. METHODS Secondary data analyses of a prospective longitudinal cohort study examining biopsychosocial measures of 300 pregnant women at four sites in Karachi, Pakistan. A predictive multiple logistic regression model for preterm birth (PTB; i.e., <37 weeks' gestation) was developed from variables significantly (P < 0.05) or marginally (P < 0.10) associated with PTB in the bivariate analyses. RESULTS Of the 300 women, 263 (88%) returned for delivery and were included in the current analyses. The PTB rate was 11.1%. We found no association between ACE and PTB. Mother's education (P = 0.011), mother's ethnicity (P = 0.010), medications during pregnancy (P = 0.006), age at birth of first child or current age if primiparous (P = 0.049) and age at marriage (P = 0.091) emerged as significant in bivariate analyses. Mother's ethnicity and taking medications remained predictive of PTB in the multivariate model. LIMITATIONS Findings are limited by the relatively small sample size which precludes direct testing for possible interactive effects. CONCLUSIONS In sum, pathways to PTB for women in LMI countries may differ from those observed in high-income countries and may need to be modelled differently to include behavioural response to emotional distress and socio-cultural contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shahirose Sadrudin Premji
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Health, Nursing & Environmental Studies 313, 4700 Keele St, Toronto, M3J 1P3, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | - Ntonghanwah Forcheh
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Health, Nursing & Environmental Studies 313, 4700 Keele St, Toronto, M3J 1P3, Ontario, Canada
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Yamamoto S, Premji S. The Role of Body, Mind, and Environment in Preterm Birth: Mind the Gap. J Midwifery Womens Health 2017; 62:696-705. [PMID: 29135075 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.12658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth continues to be a problem affecting low-, middle-, and high-income countries, with rates increasing in some areas despite ongoing efforts to reduce the incidence. This emphasizes the need for more effective interventions, particularly if we aim to achieve the broad health targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The current focus on medically-oriented interventions such as reducing nonmedically-indicated induction of labor, cesarean birth, and multiple embryo transfers associated with assisted reproductive technologies, as well as the application of cervical cerclage and use of progesterone therapy, though important, are likely only partial solutions to the complex phenomenon of preterm birth. Preterm birth has multiple etiologies. The biologic mechanisms involved in preterm labor and how it may be triggered are not well understood. There is growing evidence to suggest some of these triggers may also be related to stress and environmental conditions. In this review, we focus on evidence concerning psychosocial (mind) and environmental factors (environment) as well as briefly review the evidence related to maternal and fetal factors (body) associated with the risk of preterm birth, with reference to some of the SDGs. We also assess emerging evidence regarding the interaction of the body, mind, and environment in relation to preterm birth, currently a gap in our knowledge, and how these interactions could impact clinical practice. Findings suggest that multidisciplinary expertise and approaches will be needed to develop effective interventions to address the complex etiologies of preterm birth, as opposed to single-risk-factor mitigation. Clinicians and researchers will play key roles in identifying many of these risk factors and shaping interventions that address this complex issue. Addressing the interlinkages between body, mind, and environment through the integration of research and clinical practice is critical to reducing the risk of preterm birth and contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.
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Afulani PA, Altman M, Musana J, Sudhinaraset M. Conceptualizing pathways linking women's empowerment and prematurity in developing countries. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2017; 17:338. [PMID: 29143627 PMCID: PMC5688445 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-017-1502-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, prematurity is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5. Many efforts have focused on clinical approaches to improve the survival of premature babies. There is a need, however, to explore psychosocial, sociocultural, economic, and other factors as potential mechanisms to reduce the burden of prematurity. Women's empowerment may be a catalyst for moving the needle in this direction. The goal of this paper is to examine links between women's empowerment and prematurity in developing settings. We propose a conceptual model that shows pathways by which women's empowerment can affect prematurity and review and summarize the literature supporting the relationships we posit. We also suggest future directions for research on women's empowerment and prematurity. METHODS The key words we used for empowerment in the search were "empowerment," "women's status," "autonomy," and "decision-making," and for prematurity we used "preterm," "premature," and "prematurity." We did not use date, language, and regional restrictions. The search was done in PubMed, Population Information Online (POPLINE), and Web of Science. We selected intervening factors-factors that could potentially mediate the relationship between empowerment and prematurity-based on reviews of the risk factors and interventions to address prematurity and the determinants of those factors. RESULTS There is limited evidence supporting a direct link between women's empowerment and prematurity. However, there is evidence linking several dimensions of empowerment to factors known to be associated with prematurity and outcomes for premature babies. Our review of the literature shows that women's empowerment may reduce prematurity by (1) preventing early marriage and promoting family planning, which will delay age at first pregnancy and increase interpregnancy intervals; (2) improving women's nutritional status; (3) reducing domestic violence and other stressors to improve psychological health; and (4) improving access to and receipt of recommended health services during pregnancy and delivery to help prevent prematurity and improve survival of premature babies. CONCLUSIONS Women's empowerment is an important distal factor that affects prematurity through several intervening factors. Improving women's empowerment will help prevent prematurity and improve survival of preterm babies. Research to empirically show the links between women's empowerment and prematurity is however needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patience A. Afulani
- Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA USA
- UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Molly Altman
- Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA USA
- UCSF School of Nursing, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Joseph Musana
- Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA USA
- UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA USA
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