Health/Service Providers' Perspectives on Barriers to Healthy Weight Gain and Physical Activity in Pregnant, Urban First Nations Women

Attitudes, Beliefs, and Predictors of Gestational Weight Gain and Postpartum Weight Retention in South Africa: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Suboptimal gestational weight gain (GWG) is associated with pregnancy complications and postpartum weight retention (PPWR). Little data exists about GWG and PPWR attitudes and beliefs in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) to inform interventions. We examined GWG and PPWR attitudes, beliefs, and intentions among pregnant people, with and without HIV, in Cape Town, South Africa. Pregnant persons were enrolled between 2019 and 2022 (N = 400). Study visits were conducted at 24-28 weeks' and 33-38 weeks' gestation. Rate of GWG (kg/week) between the second and third trimesters was estimated and reported as below, above, or within the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines. Multivariable-multinomial regression estimated predictors of GWG. In-depth interviews among pregnant participants, community leaders and healthcare providers informed GWG attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions. Over 90% of participants experienced suboptimal rates of GWG (35% below and 47% above guidelines) during pregnancy. Living with HIV [OR 0.50, 95% CI (0.26-0.95)] was protective against GWG rate above guidelines compared to those without HIV. Being 25-29 years old was associated with GWG rate below guidelines [OR 0.28 95% CI (0.08-0.95)]. Little concordance occurred between intended and true GWG. Despite GWG category, two-thirds of participants felt it was 'very important' to monitor GWG while 44% viewed losing weight gained during pregnancy as "not important". Barriers to meeting GWG goals included lack of access to healthy foods, exercise opportunities, and education. Given rising obesity in women of reproductive age in LMIC, locally-adapted interventions are needed during pregnancy and postpartum to aide in healthy GWG and improve maternal-child health outcomes.

Weight-based disparities in perinatal care: quantitative findings of respect, autonomy, mistreatment, and body mass index in a national Canadian survey

BACKGROUND

Qualitative studies document episodes of weight-related disrespectful care, particularly for people with high body mass index (BMI ≥ 30) and reveal implicit and explicit biases in health care providers. No large quantitative studies document the pervasiveness of weight stigma or if experiences change with increasing BMI.

METHODS

The multi-stakeholder RESPCCT study team designed and distributed a cross-sectional survey on the experiences of perinatal services in all provinces and territories in Canada. From July 2020 to August 2021, participants who had a pregnancy within ten years responded to closed and open-ended questions. Chi square analysis assessed differences in mean scores derived from three patient-reported experience measures of autonomy (MADM), respect (MOR), and mistreatment (MIST). Controlling for socio-demographic factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis explored relationships between different BMI categories and respectful care.

RESULTS

Of 4,815 Canadians who participated, 3,280 with a BMI of ≥ 18.5 completed all the questions. Pre-pregnancy BMI was significantly associated with race/ethnicity, income sufficiency, and education but not with age. Individuals with higher BMIs were more likely to experience income insufficiency, have lower levels of education, and more frequently self-identified as Indigenous or White. Those with BMI ≥ 35 exhibited notably higher odds of reduced autonomy (MADM) scores, with an unadjusted odds ratio of 1.62 and an adjusted odds ratio of 1.45 compared to individuals with a normal weight. Individuals with BMIs of 25-25.9, 30-34.9, and ≥ 35 exhibited odds of falling into the lower tercile of respect (MOR) scores of 1.34, 1.51, and 2.04, respectively (p < .01). The odds of reporting higher rates of mistreatment (top 33% MIST scores) increased as BMI increased.

CONCLUSIONS

While socio-demographic factors like race and income play significant roles in influencing perinatal care experiences, BMI remains a critical determinant even after accounting for these variables. This study reveals pronounced disparities in the provision of respectful perinatal care to pregnant individuals with higher BMIs in Canada. Data suggest that those with higher BMIs face disrespect, discrimination, and mistreatment. Identification of implicit and explicit weight bias may give providers insight enabling them to provide more respectful care.

Indigenous maternal health and health services within Canada: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Globally, there are disparities in access to maternal health care services and equity in maternal health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. While the literature is growing, it has not been systematically synthesized. This review addresses this gap by synthesizing the existing literature on the organizational structure of maternity care, accessibility and delivery of services, and clinical disparities impacting Indigenous maternal health within Canada. It also identifies current knowledge gaps in research on these topics.

METHODS

A scoping review was completed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines and the extension for scoping reviews. The search for relevant papers was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, and SCOPUS electronic databases and included any empirical literature written in English and published during 2006 - 2021. The research team inductively coded 5 articles to develop a coding scheme, which was then applied to the remaining articles.

RESULTS

A total of 89 articles were included in the review, of which 32 were qualitative papers, 40 quantitative, 8 were mixed-methods publications, and 9 were review papers. The analysis of the articles resulted in identifying a range of overarching themes pertaining to the maternal health of Indigenous women within Canada including provision of services, clinical issues, education, health disparities, organization, spatial context, and impact of informal support. The results suggest that physical, psychological, organizational, and systemic barriers inhibit the quality-of-care pregnant Indigenous women receive, and that maternal health services are not consistently provided in a culturally safe manner. Results also suggest that, compared to non-Indigenous pregnant women, Indigenous women are more likely to develop clinical complications during pregnancy, reflecting the structural impacts of colonization that continue to negatively influence Indigenous maternal health and well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

There are many complex barriers that prevent Indigenous women from receiving high quality and culturally appropriate maternal care. Possible areas that could address the service gaps illuminated through this review include the implementation of cultural considerations across health care jurisdictions within Canada.

Perceptions of weight in relation to health, hunger, and belonging among women in periurban South Africa

Obesity among South African women represents an important dimension of noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk. Experiences of weight are an under-explored frame of reference for intervention. Using three-part in-depth interviews with 20 women and 9 focus groups with a total of 57 women (N = 77) in one low-income neighborhood, I relate women's positive perceptions of fatness to belonging and experiences of hunger. Aware of public health obesity messaging, participants tried to lose weight, yet stress and food scarcity impacted weight gain. Whereas public health interventions focus on behavior, responses to NCDs must recognize the role of food systems and poverty in shaping risk profiles.

Nursing management of gestational diabetes mellitus in Ghana: Perspectives of nurse-midwives and women

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance that is observed in the beginning of, or first acknowledged during pregnancy. The prevalence of GDM is estimated to be approximately 15% globally and is expected to increase due to growing numbers of overweight and obesity in women in their reproductive age. The nursing management of GDM in terms of lifestyle modifications (exercise, diet and nutrition) and the taking of diabetes medication, if required, and adherence thereto is crucial to prevent maternal and neonatal-perinatal complications. This qualitative study therefore aimed to explore and describe the experiences of women regarding the nursing management they received after being diagnosed with GDM; and the perceptions of nurse-midwives on their nursing management of GDM in Ghana.

SETTING

This study was conducted in the military health institutions in Ghana, which includes one hospital and nine satellite clinics referred to as Medical Reception Stations providing antenatal and postnatal care to both military as well as civilian patients. Research on GDM in Ghana is extremely limited.

DESIGN

We used a descriptive phenomenological approach to conduct 15 unstructured individual interviews with women that have been diagnosed with GDM (n = 7) and nurse-midwives (n = 8) providing nursing management of GDM during a six months period (December 2014 to May 2015). Audio-recorded data was transcribed, coded and analyzed using an adapted version of Tesch's eight steps for coding.

PARTICIPANTS

Seven (n = 7) women between 28 and 45 years of age, with 1 to 3 offspring each, participated. Most women (n = 5) did not have a family history of diabetes. The eight (n = 8) nurse-midwives that participated were between 32 and 50 years old with between 2 and 12 years of experience.

FINDINGS

Participants in this study reported similar issues that could assist in better management of GDM. The majority of participants indicated the need for education on GDM, but both women and nurse-midwives acknowledged that this education is hugely lacking. Participants generally felt that emotional support for women is critical and it was included in the nursing management of GDM. Both groups of participants acknowledged that involving women and their significant others in the nursing management of GDM is important. Cultural and socio-economic issues, such as cultural beliefs that clashed with diabetic diets, lack of financial and social grants and limited nurse-midwifery staff were mentioned by both groups to affect the nursing management of GDM.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that, despite the reported challenges experienced by nurse-midwives and women, it was evident that the aim of nurse-midwives was to manage GDM as optimally as possible for women diagnosed with GDM, while considering the constraints established in the results. The challenges identified, specifically in terms of lack of education and cultural and socio-economic issues that affect the quality of and adherence to the nursing management of GDM, need to be addressed in order to optimize care for women diagnosed with GDM in Ghana.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Based on our findings, recommendations are provided that can assist nurse-midwives and other health practitioners to provide comprehensive nursing management to women that have been diagnosed with GDM.

Reprint of characterizing gestational weight gain in a cohort of indigenous Australian women

OBJECTIVE

to determine the adequacy of gestational weight gain for a cohort of Indigenous Australian women and investigate whether it is associated with pre-pregnancy body mass index.

DESIGN

analysis of observational data collected from a longitudinal cohort study that follows Indigenous Australian women through pregnancy.

SETTING

women recruited through antenatal clinics in regional and remote towns in NSW, Australia to the Gomeroi gaaynggal program.

PARTICIPANTS

110 pregnant women who either identified as being an Indigenous Australian or as carrying an Indigenous child.

MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS

measurements included weight and height, self-reported pre-pregnancy weight and smoking status, parity and health conditions that may contribute to gestational weight gain, such as hypertensive or diabetic disorders. Compared to the 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendations for gestational weight gain and based on pre-pregnancy body mass index, the rate of adequate gestational weight gain in this cohort was low (26%). 33% of women had inadequate weight gain and 41% had excessive weight gain. The highest rate of excessive gestational weight gain was found in overweight women (65%), with rates of 39% and 31% found in healthy and obese (all classes) categories, respectively. Parity (coefficient 4.2, p < 0.01) and hypertension (coefficient 4.3, p = 0.049) were found to be significantly associated with gestational weight gain in mixed model linear regression.

CONCLUSIONS

few women gained adequate gestational weight gain in this study. Culturally acceptable ways of addressing this issue are needed for this group of women, as inadequate and excessive rates of gestational weight gain have health implications for women and their offspring.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

a systematic approach to addressing gestational weight gain within antenatal care is required, including asking about diet and exercise, for all women identifying as Indigenous Australian.

Peyakohewamak-Needs of Involved Nehiyaw (Cree) Fathers Supporting Their Partners During Pregnancy: Findings From the ENRICH Study

We sought to understand the needs of involved Nehiyaw (Cree) fathers who supported their partners during pregnancy. We used qualitative description and a community-based participatory research approach. We carried out in-depth semi-structured interviews with six Nehiyaw fathers. Four also participated in photovoice and follow-up interviews. All data were content analyzed qualitatively. Fathers felt they had to support their partners and overcome challenges resulting from intergenerational colonial impacts (residential schools particularly) by reclaiming their roles and acknowledging the pregnancy as a positive change. Providing support was possible through their own strong support system stemming from family, faith, culture, and a stable upbringing with positive male role models and intact Nehiyaw kinships. Perinatal programming did little to include fathers. Attempts to improve perinatal care and outcomes should allow more inclusion of and support for Indigenous fathers through genuinely incorporating into care traditional culture and Elders, families, flexibility, cultural understanding, and reconciliation.

Characterizing gestational weight gain in a cohort of Indigenous Australian women

OBJECTIVE

to determine the adequacy of gestational weight gain for a cohort of Indigenous Australian women and investigate whether it is associated with pre-pregnancy body mass index.

DESIGN

analysis of observational data collected from a longitudinal cohort study that follows Indigenous Australian women through pregnancy.

SETTING

women recruited through antenatal clinics in regional and remote towns in NSW, Australia to the Gomeroi gaaynggal program.

PARTICIPANTS

110 pregnant women who either identified as being an Indigenous Australian or as carrying an Indigenous child.

MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS

measurements included weight and height, self-reported pre-pregnancy weight and smoking status, parity and health conditions that may contribute to gestational weight gain, such as hypertensive or diabetic disorders. Compared to the 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendations for gestational weight gain and based on prepregnancy body mass index, the rate of adequate gestational weight gain in this cohort was very low (15%). 32% of women had inadequate weight gain and 54% had excessive weight gain. The highest rate of excessive gestational weight gain was found in overweight women (74%), with rates of 48% and 50% found in healthy and obese (all classes) categories, respectively. Parity (coefficient 4.5, p<0.01) and hypertension (coefficient 4.8, p = 0.04) were found to be significantly associated with gestational weight gain in mixed model linear regression.

CONCLUSIONS

few women gained adequate gestational weight gain in this study. Culturally acceptable ways of addressing this issue are needed for this group of women, as inadequate and excessive rates of gestational weight gain have health implications for women and their offspring.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

a systematic approach to addressing gestational weight gain within antenatal care is required, including asking about diet and exercise, for all women identifying as Indigenous Australian.