[Common mental disorders and self-esteem in pregnancy: prevalence and associated factors]

Mental distress and food insecurity in pregnancy

Abstract Food insecurity is a source of daily stress, especially in women. The aim was to investigate the association between mental distress and food insecurity in pregnant women. Cross-sectional study with pregnant women from the public health service, regardless risk stratification, or gestational trimester in Colombo-PR, Brazil. Poisson regression models were progressively adjusted for exposure variables. Results: Among the participating pregnant women (N=513) the prevalence of mental distress was 50.1%; associated with mild food insecurity (PR 1.34, 95%CI 1.12; 1.61) and moderate/severe food insecurity (PR 1.70, 95%CI 1.33; 2.19). The variable that most changed the association between the outcome and mild food insecurity was income (-4.48%) and, for moderate/severe food insecurity, education (-7.60%). For mild and moderate/severe food insecurity, the greatest reduction occurred with socioeconomic variables 4.5% (PR 1.27, 95%CI 1.05; 1.53) and 8.0% (PR 1.50, 95% CI 1.17; 1.93), respectively. The association between food insecurity and mental distress was consistent, and increased with the degree of food insecurity, with a greater reduction for socioeconomic variables.

[Clinical complications during pregnancy: a systematic review of studies with pregnant Brazilian women]

The scope of this paper was to describe the main clinical complications among pregnant Brazilian women reported in the literature, identifying the most relevant exposure factors and their outcomes in maternal and child health. This is a systematic review of articles published between 2010 and 2018. Three reviews and 36 empirical articles were included; mental disorders (n=9), infectious diseases (n=9) and severe maternal morbidity (n=8) were the main clinical complications during pregnancy. In addition, four articles focused on determining the main conditions or causes of hospitalization, with a higher frequency of Urinary Tract Infection, anemia and hypertensive diseases. Maternal age at reproductive extremes, lower schooling, socioeconomic vulnerability, racial characteristics and the use of public health services were the most relevant exposure factors. Unfavorable health outcomes associated with clinical complications in pregnancy were verified in the eight articles with this profile. The frequency of pregnant women with potential life-threatening clinical complications is high in the country, highlighting the importance of primary care coverage and the implementation of interventions to reduce and prevent adverse maternal and child outcomes.

Mental health of adolescents associated with sexual and reproductive outcomes: a systematic review

Objective

To systematically review the literature on the mental health of adolescents associated with sexual and reproductive outcomes, and compare the mental health outcomes with that of other age groups.

Methods

We searched seven databases for relevant peer-reviewed articles published between 1 January 2010 and 25 April 2019. Our inclusion criteria required that the study included age-disaggregated data on adolescents, and focused and assessed mental health outcomes associated with pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. We extracted data on the specific health event, the mental health outcome and the method of measuring this, and comparisons with other age groups.

Findings

After initially screening 10 818 articles by title and abstract, we included 96 articles in our review. We observed that a wide-ranging prevalence of mental ill-health has been reported for adolescents. However, most studies of mental health during pregnancy did not identify an increased risk of depression or other mental disorders among adolescents compared with other age groups. In contrast, the majority of studies conducted during the postpartum period identified an increased risk of depression in adolescents compared with other age groups. Three studies reported on mental health outcomes following abortion, with varying results. We found no studies of the effect of sexually transmitted infections on mental health among adolescents.

Conclusion

We recommend that sexual and reproductive health services should be accessible to adolescents to address their needs and help to prevent any adverse mental health outcomes.

Exposure to environmental neurotoxic substances and neurodevelopment in children from Latin America and the Caribbean

Environmental (and occupational) exposure to neurotoxic substances is a worldwide problem that can affect children's neurodevelopment (ND). In Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries there are over 300 million children living under the threat of neurodevelopmental delays due to toxic environmental exposure. Large industrial centers, intense mining and agricultural activities, along with changing complex ecosystems constitute a mosaic that drives contamination of air, water and the food chain. Neurotoxic contaminants such as pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and manganese fungicides), chemicals of industrial use (phthalates), and metals (Hg, Pb, Al, As, F, Cd, Mo, Mn) are at the center of environmental exposure studies. Exposure to neurotoxic substances singly or in combination with other compounds or socioeconomic stressors (maternal education, socio-economic and nutritional status) intertwined with occupational and para-occupational exposure can affect ND (motor, cognition, behavior) of children. Significant negative effects of pesticides and neurotoxic elements on ND were found in all studied countries, affecting especially the less-privileged children from laboring families. Studies showed that exposures to the neurotoxicants in human milk are secondary to their more lasting effects during prenatal exposure. This review integrates exposure (prenatal and breastfeeding), metabolism, and ND effects of neurotoxicants. It highlights the overwhelming evidence showing that current levels of exposures are hazardous and detrimental to children's ND in LAC countries. The evidence indicates that a reduction in neurotoxicant exposure is essential to protect children's ND. Therefore, it is urgent to adopt policies and actions that prevent and remediate region-specific children's ND issues.

Cohort profile: the Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition in Acre, Brazil, birth cohort study (MINA-Brazil)

PURPOSE

Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition in Acre, Brazil (MINA-Brazil) is a longitudinal, prospective population-based birth cohort, set-up to understand the effects of early environmental exposures and maternal lifestyle choices on growth and development of the Amazonian children.

PARTICIPANTS

Mother-baby pairs (n=1246) were enrolled at delivery from July 2015 to June 2016 in Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil. Mothers of 43.7% of the cohort were recruited in the study during pregnancy from February 2015 to January 2016. Study visits took place during pregnancy, delivery, at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after delivery. In addition to clinical and epidemiological data, samples collected by the MINA-Brazil study include plasma, serum and extracted DNA from blood and faeces, which are stored in a biobank.

FINDINGS TO DATE

Key baseline reports found a high prevalence of gestational night blindness (11.5%; 95% CI 9.97% to 13.25%) and maternal anaemia (39.4%; 95% CI 36.84% to 41.95%) at delivery. Antenatal malaria episodes (74.6% of Plasmodium vivax) were diagnosed in 8.0% of the women and were associated with an average reduction in birth weight z-scores of 0.35 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.57) and in birth length z-scores of 0.31 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.54), compared with malaria-free pregnancies. At 2-year follow-up, data collection strategies combined telephone calls, WhatsApp, social media community and home visits to minimise losses of follow-up (retention rate of 79.5%).

FUTURE PLANS

A 5-year follow-up visit is planned in 2021 with similar interviews and biospecimens collection. The findings from this prospective cohort will provide novel insights into the roles of prenatal and postnatal factors in determining early childhood development in an Amazonian population.

Common mental disorder and its association with academic performance among Debre Berhan University students, Ethiopia

Background

Common mental disorder (CMD) is prevalent in industrialized and non-industrialized countries. The prevalence of CMD among university students was 28.8–44.7% and attributed to several risk factors, such as schooling. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of CMD. In addition, the association between CMD and academic performance was tested.

Methods

Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted with 422 students at Debre Berhan university from March to April 2015. CMD was the primary outcome variable whereas academic performance was the secondary outcome variable. Kessler psychological distress (K10) scale was used to assess CMD. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed for modeling the primary outcome variable; independent samples T test and linear regression analysis were carried out for modeling the secondary outcome variable. The strength of association was interpreted using odds ratio and regression coefficient (β) and decision on statistical significance was made at a p value of 0.05. Data were entered using EPI-data version 3.1 software and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.01 software.

Results

The prevalence of CMD was 63.1%. Field of study (p = 0.008, OR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.04–0.61), worshiping (p = 0.04, OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.02–3.35), insomnia (p < 0.001, OR = 3.8, 95% CI 2.21–6.57), alcohol drinking (p = 0.006, OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.33–5.66), and headache (p = 0.02, OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.10–3.86) were identified risk factors for CMD. The mean cumulative grade point average of students with CMD was lower by 0.02 compared to those without CMD, but not statistically significant (p = 0.70, β = −0.02, 95% CI −0.15 to 0.10). CMD explained only 0.8% (r² = 0.008) of the difference in academic performance between students.

Conclusions

At least three out of five students fulfilled CMD diagnostic criteria. The statistically significant risk factors were field of study, worshiping, insomnia, alcohol drinking, and headache. Moreover, there was no statistically significant association between CMD and academic performance. Undertaking integrated evidence-based intervention focusing on students with poor sleep quality, poor physical health, and who drink alcohol is essential if the present finding confirmed by a longitudinal study.

Imagem corporal, atitudes alimentares, sintomas depressivos, autoestima e ansiedade em gestantes de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Resumo As mudanças vivenciadas pelas gestantes podem impactar negativamente as atitudes corporais e as variáveis associadas. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a influência das atitudes alimentares, sintomas depressivos, autoestima, ansiedade e IMC na imagem corporal de gestantes. Este estudo quantitativo e transversal contou com 386 gestantes de todas as idades gestacionais, entre 18 a 46 anos de idade (média de 29,32 ± 6,04 anos) da cidade de Juiz de Fora-MG. Foram aplicados instrumentos para avaliar atitudes corporais, atitudes alimentares, sintomas depressivos, autoestima e ansiedade. Foram coletados dados antropométricos e obstétricos. Realizou-se análises estatísticas descritivas, comparativas e correlacionais. Os achados indicaram correlações significativas entre as atitudes corporais e: atitudes alimentares inadequadas (r = 0,478), sintomas depressivos (r = 0,387), baixa autoestima (r = 0,431) e elevado IMC (r = 0,339). Além disso, essas variáveis juntas exerceram influência de 41,4% sobre a imagem corporal negativa das gestantes. Assim, recomenda-se a avaliação e a orientação nutricional e psicológica a fim de detectar e prevenir psicopatologias, tendo em vista a saúde materna e infantil.

Imagem corporal de gestantes: um estudo longitudinal

RESUMO Objetivos Comparar atitudes corporais, atitudes alimentares, sintomas depressivos, autoestima, ansiedade e índice de massa corporal (IMC) de gestantes em diferentes momentos ao longo da gestação, bem como verificar a influência que as variáveis estudadas exercem sobre as atitudes corporais no primeiro, segundo e terceiro trimestre gestacional. Métodos Foram incluídas 17 gestantes que frequentavam o exame pré-natal na cidade de Juiz de Fora-MG, entre 22 e 41 anos de idade (média de 30,76 ± 5,65 anos), excluindo-se aquelas com dados incompletos. Como instrumentos de avaliação utilizaram-se: Body Attitudes Questionnaire, Eating Attitudes Test-26, Beck Depression Inventory, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, a versão curta do Brazilian State-Trait Anxiety Inventory e o questionário sociodemográfico. Ademais, foram coletados dados antropométricos e obstétricos. Foram realizadas análises estatísticas descritivas, comparativas e correlacionais. Resultados O IMC, as atitudes corporais negativas e a subescala “sentimento de gordura” aumentaram progressivamente ao longo da gestação (p < 0,01). As atitudes alimentares, os sintomas depressivos, a autoestima e a ansiedade-estado não diferiram estatisticamente nos três momentos avaliados (p > 0,05). Além disso, o IMC explicou 31% da variância das atitudes direcionadas ao corpo no primeiro trimestre, enquanto as atitudes alimentares foram responsáveis por 30% e 46% das atitudes corporais no segundo e terceiro trimestre, respectivamente. Conclusões As atitudes corporais, as atitudes alimentares, os sintomas depressivos, a autoestima e a ansiedade mantiveram-se constantes ao longo da gestação. O IMC e as atitudes alimentares influenciaram a imagem corporal em gestantes. Sugere-se a criação de instrumentos específicos a fim de um melhor entendimento das preocupações relacionadas ao corpo de gestantes.

Common mental disorders in mothers vs. infant and obstetric outcomes: a review

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy has been shown to increase women's vulnerability to mental disorders. Common mental disorders (CMDs) have been studied both in the general population and in pregnant vs. non-pregnant women. During pregnancy, CMDs have been considered a potential predictor of obstetric and infant outcomes.

METHODS

A search was conducted on the PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO databases to find relevant articles written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. No limit was established for year of publication, but only studies involving human beings were included.

RESULTS

A total of 25 articles were selected. There was a consensus among studies that the mean prevalence of CMD during pregnancy is 20%. There was also agreement that the occurrence of CMDs during pregnancy is a predictor of postpartum depression and anxiety disorders and that the disorder remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. As for the positive association between CMDs and obstetric and infant complications, results are still conflicting. In lower-income countries, frequently there is an association between CMD and perinatal changes. It is argued that some confounding factors, such as sociodemographic and cultural differences, health and maternal conditions, and type of instruments used, probably contribute to this lack of consensus.

CONCLUSION

We believe that the conflicting results found in the literature are caused by differences in methodology and sociodemographic factors that influence the development of CMDs. Despite these differences, our findings underscore the need for depression and anxiety disorders during pregnancy to be studied and better identified by all professionals who provide antenatal care.