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BACKGROUND: Body image dissatisfaction, leading to a variety of negative emotions and adverse pregnancy or birth outcomes. Studies on body image interventions for pregnant and postpartum women have been reported, yielding mixed results. Existing evidence lacks a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of body image interventions for pregnant and postpartum women. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to systematically review interventions which aimed at improving body image during pregnancy and postpartum in women of childbearing age, and further to explore their effectiveness. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SinoMed, CNKI, and Wanfang Database, to retrieve relevant studies. Body image was reported employing descriptive analysis, whereas the Cochrane Handbook tool was used to evaluate the quality and potential bias of each included study. RESULTS: Following established inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 studies were identified from an initial 1,422 records for further analysis, involving 1290 participants. This systematic review grouped body image interventions into lifestyle interventions and psychological interventions based on their content. These interventions yielded more pronounced positive effects on improving body image in pregnant and postpartum women when compared to control groups. And, the statistical difference on psychological interventions is more significant on the whole. CONCLUSIONS: Our work offers a comprehensive overview of the effectiveness of body image interventions for pregnant and postpartum women. Psychological interventions are considered to be a suitable measure to improve body image for pregnant or postpartum women. Additional research and practical applications are recommended to enhance the mental health and well-being of perinatal women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registry: CRD42024531531.

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BACKGROUND: While it is recognized that social support can alleviate mental health symptoms, this relationship is not well-understood among Chinese pregnant and parenting immigrants in the United States. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring the relationships between different types of social support and women's anxiety and depression, and examining how these associations vary with pregnancy status. METHODS: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey conducted in Simplified Chinese or Mandarin between March-June 2021 among 526 women who were pregnant and/or parenting a child under five years. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety, Depression, and Social Support scales were used to measure anxiety, depression, and social support levels. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, chi-square tests, and Pearson's correlations were employed for analysis. Hierarchical regression was conducted to investigate the main and interaction effects of social support types and pregnancy status on mental health outcomes. RESULTS: Compared to non-pregnant women, pregnant women reported higher mean scores for anxiety (non-pregnant: 55, pregnant: 59, p < 0.01) and depression (non-pregnant: 54, pregnant: 56, p = 0.02). Instrumental support displayed a significant main effect in relation to anxiety (ß=-0.13, p = 0.01) and depression (ß=-0.16, p < 0.01); emotional support exhibited a significant main effect solely on depression (ß=-0.13, p = 0.01). Notably, the interaction effects between pregnancy status and both instrumental (ß=-0.28, p = 0.01) and emotional support (ß=-0.42, p < 0.01) were significant for anxiety. In contrast, informational support did not exhibit a significant impact on either anxiety or depression. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that tailoring support to the cultural context is crucial, especially for pregnant women in this Chinese immigrant community, with instrumental and emotional support being particularly beneficial in mitigating maternal anxiety.

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AIM: This study aims to develop the Quality of Life in Pregnancy Scale (PREG-QOL) as a new instrument to evaluate the quality of life during pregnancy and test its psychometric properties. DESIGN: An instrument development study and psychometric testing of the content and construct validity, factor structure and reliability. METHODS: The study was conducted in three stages: (1) creating an item pool, (2) preliminary evaluation of items, and (3) refining the scale and evaluating psychometric properties. Instrument development guidelines were used to evaluate content validity, construct validity, internal consistency and stability of the instrument over time. Data to evaluate psychometric properties of the PREG-QOL were collected between April and August 2021. RESULTS: Items were developed using in-depth interviews with pregnant women and extensive literature review. Scale-content validity index was 0.98. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 26-item instrument with 6 factors, which explained % 56.2 of variance. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that factors 3 and 5 should be combined into the factor of physical domain since they included items about the same theme. Fit indices obtained by CFA were at sufficient levels. Parallel test method was employed to evaluate the correlation of the PREG-QOL with the SF-36. The findings indicated that the PREG-QOL had high internal inconsistency and stability over time. CONCLUSION: The PREG-QOL is a valid and reliable instrument in terms of its psychometric characteristics. The 26-item instrument was composed of the five factors of perception of general satisfaction, emotional domain, physical domain, health support systems and social domain. IMPACT: Displaying good psychometric properties, the PREG-QOL may be used to evaluate multiple dimensions of the quality of life during pregnancy.

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This study was conducted to determine the predictive effect of insomnia on quality of life in last trimester pregnant women. This study is a cross-sectional study. The sample of the study consisted of 309 women who were pregnant in the last trimester and were followed up in the university hospital. The data was collected using Women's Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale(WHIIRS), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Short Form(WHOQOL-BREF). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to evaluate compliance with the normal distribution. Pearson correlation test used to examine the relationships between life quality subscales, discomforts during pregnancy, chronic disease, psychiatric disease, working status and insomnia. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictive factors of quality of life. There was a negative relationship between having problems in pregnancy and the physical domain and the psychological domain of quality of life. When working status and discomforts during pregnancy were controlled, it was determined that insomnia was an important predictor of physical, psychological, social relations and environmental areas of quality of life (respectively 21%, 6%, 5%, 4%,). As a result, it can be said that insomnia is one of the important areas that should be intervened to improve the quality of life in pregnant women.

Cette étude a été menée pour déterminer l'effet prédictif de l'insomnie sur la qualité de vie des femmes enceintes au dernier trimestre. Il s'agit d'une étude transversale. L'échantillon de l'étude était composé de 309 femmes enceintes au dernier trimestre et suivies à l'hôpital universitaire. Les données ont été recueillies à l'aide de l'échelle d'évaluation de l'insomnie de la Women's Health Initiative (WHIIRS), de l'échelle abrégée de la qualité de vie de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé (WHOQOL-BREF). Le test de Kolmogorov-Smirnov a été utilisé pour évaluer la conformité à la distribution normale. Le test de corrélation de Pearson a été utilisé pour examiner les relations entre les sous-échelles de qualité de vie, les désagréments pendant la grossesse, les maladies chroniques, les maladies psychiatriques, le statut professionnel et l'insomnie. Une analyse de régression linéaire multiple hiérarchique a été utilisée pour déterminer les facteurs prédictifs de la qualité de vie. Il y avait une relation négative entre le fait d'avoir des problèmes pendant la grossesse et le domaine physique et le domaine psychologique de la qualité de vie. En prenant en compte le statut professionnel et les désagréments pendant la grossesse, il a été déterminé que l'insomnie était un prédicteur important de la qualité de vie physique, psychologique, sociale et environnementale (respectivement 21 %, 6 %, 5 %, 4 %). Par conséquent, on peut dire que l'insomnie est l'un des domaines importants sur lesquels il faut intervenir pour améliorer la qualité de vie des femmes enceintes.

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BACKGROUND: Pregnant women face significant physiological and psychological stressors, which can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Despite the importance of professional psychological assistance, many pregnant women in China do not seek help due to various barriers. This study aims to explore the experiences and challenges of pregnant women in seeking psychological help in China through qualitative methods. METHODS: Purposive sampling was employed to select 20 pregnant women from a Class III Type A hospital in Hainan. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted from July to August 2023, focusing on psychological states, help-seeking experiences, encountered challenges, and suggestions for improving psychological support. Colaizzi's 7-step method was used to synthesize the themes. RESULTS: We distilled five themes: (1) Psychological conditions during pregnancy, which includes stress and emotional fluctuations and anticipations of postpartum challenges; (2) Barriers to seeking help, underscored by societal misconceptions, limited professional access, and varied familial support; (3) Sources of psychological stress, highlighting physical changes, familial and work pressures, and societal expectations; (4) Expectations for psychological assistance, emphasizing the need for professional understanding and societal awareness; (5) Impact of psychological issues on daily life, such as decreased work efficiency and affected social activities. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women in China confront significant psychological stress and face multiple barriers in accessing help. There is an urgent need for personalized and professional psychological services for pregnant women. Addressing barriers such as societal stigma and poor accessibility, along with increasing public awareness and improving mental health services, is crucial. These findings provide a foundation for developing effective psychological support strategies aimed at enhancing the mental health of pregnant women in China.

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Background: Body goes through significant hormonal and physiological changes during pregnancy, which could be linked to changes in oral health. Many women are unaware of the negative consequences of poor dental health during and after pregnancy, both for themselves and their children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and cross platform messaging application (WhatsApp messenger) for oral health education on the oral health knowledge, attitude and behaviours among pregnant women attending ante natal care. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 84 pregnant women. Simple random sampling was employed to select participants after oral examination. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups (Group 1: Cross-platform messaging application [WhatsApp]; Group 2: MI) using a lottery method. Pregnant women aged 18 years and older, gestational age between 8 and 30 weeks were included. A face-to-face interview and oral examination were conducted to assess baseline knowledge and oral hygiene status. A follow-up examination was conducted after one month of intervention. Inferential statistics, including the chi-square test and independent t-test, were used to compare variables between the two groups. Results: The mean knowledge score at baseline was comparable between Group 1 (WhatsApp) and Group 2 (MI). However, post-intervention, Group 2 showed a significantly higher mean knowledge score compared to Group 1. Post-intervention, Group 2 exhibited a significantly better oral hygiene status compared to Group 1. Significant improvements in oral health behaviours were observed in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings suggested that while both interventions were effective, MI showed superior results in improving knowledge, oral hygiene status, and oral health behaviours. The personalized and client-centred approach of MI enables participants to explore and resolve ambivalence, promoting a deeper understanding of the importance of oral health during pregnancy. Registration: CTRI ( CTRI/2021/09/036407, 10/09/2021).

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Background: Physical and sexual violence against pregnant women have been associated with detrimental mental health outcomes for victims. Few studies have examined both positive (wellbeing) and negative (illbeing) mental health indicators in the same sample. Additionally, the literature assessing mental health based on different forms of violence is limited.Objective: To compare both wellbeing (life satisfaction) and illbeing (anxiety and depression) trajectories between non-victimized and victims of physical, sexual and both forms of violence that occurred during or shortly before pregnancy. Further, we analyse whether social support moderates these trajectories.Method: This longitudinal study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort, including the period from early pregnancy to toddlerhood (3 years). We compared wellbeing and illbeing trajectories of non-victims (n = 73,081), victims of physical abuse (n = 1076), sexual abuse (n = 683), and both forms of abuse (n = 107) using Growth Curve Modelling. Finally, social support was included as a moderator of wellbeing and illbeing trajectories.Results: Results indicated that victims scored systematically lower in wellbeing and higher in illbeing. Exposure to violence did not significantly change the wellbeing trajectory, pointing to similar developments in wellbeing among victims and non-victims for the considered period. On the other hand, different trajectories in illbeing occurred between victims and non-victims, as well as between victimized groups. Victims experienced greater change in illbeing scores, with a steeper decrease in illbeing compared to non-victims. Both victims and non-victims returned to respective baseline scores 3 years after birth. All women benefited from social support, but victims of physical abuse were particularly protected by social support.Conclusions: There is an alarming persistence of mental health problems in women exposed to violence during peripregnancy. Different forms of violence differentially impact women's mental health. Social support is beneficial among all pregnant women.

Victims of peripregnancy violence score systematic lower in wellbeing over time than non-victims. However, the wellbeing trajectories among victims and non-victims are similar.On the other hand, illbeing (anxiety and depression) trajectories differ for non-victims and victims of physical, sexual and both forms of violence. All women decreased their levels of illbeing from pregnancy to the first 6 months postpartum, but victims had a steeper decrease during this period compared to non-victims.All women benefited from social support, but victims of physical abuse were particularly protected by social support.

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AIM: To translate the Empowerment Scale for Pregnant Women (ESPW) into Chinese and to assess its linguistic validity. METHODS: The integrative method of the translation process, the Delphi technique, and cognitive interviews were used to implement cross-cultural adaptation and enhance comprehensibility and linguistic validation. This study recruited 14 experts in the expert review and cognitively reviewed 15 pregnant women. RESULTS: The two-round Delphi method created agreement on cultural applicability. The results of content validity achieved good levels: The item-level content validity index (CVI) ranged from 0.78 to 1.00, and the scale-level content validity index, calculated using two different formulas, were 0.97 and 0.81, respectively. Kappa values ranged from 0.74 to 1.00. Pregnant women could understand most of the items and response options in the cognitive interview. The revisions to the wording were made based on suggestions from experts and pregnant women. CONCLUSION: The prefinal simplified Chinese ESPW was semantically and conceptually equivalent to the English version, which was well prepared for further psychometric tests in the next stage of cross-cultural adaptation. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This comprehensive method successfully developed a Chinese tool to measure the empowerment of pregnant women, indicating the international applicability of this tool and the methodological scientific nature. The simplified Chinese ESPW has the potential to support the identification of empowerment levels of pregnant women and the evaluation of the effectiveness of health education and promotion programmes.

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Previous studies on maternal health have highlighted the need to improve health literacy, particularly among women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Some crucial factors for improving maternal health literacy are midwife capacity and systems support that can help ensure women's ability and motivation to access timely health services. However, the extent of roles midwives need and the system that must be developed require further elaboration. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate approaches for enhancing maternal health literacy in low-income pregnant women. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the systematic search was conducted on two databases: PubMed and ScienceDirect. All English articles published from 2011 to 2023 were searched using the keywords pregnant, antenatal, prenatal, perinatal, midwife, health literacy, midwife-led care, helpline, and photo novel. Of the 1,539 articles, 15 were included in the final assessment. The results suggested that improving maternal health literacy among low-income pregnant women was related to: (a) empowering low-income women; (b) empowering midwives as frontline care providers engaging with low-income pregnant women; and (c) empowering the health care system as a health literacy organization. In conclusion, improving the healthcare system and strengthening midwives' leadership as proximal caregivers is crucial for improving maternal health literacy among low-income pregnant mothers. These efforts could be realized with support from government roles, educational institutions, and professional associations.

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Introduction: Pregnant individuals have an increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Vaccination is an effective strategy to prevent severe illness and complications for pregnant individuals. Pregnant individuals are often excluded from research and remain hesitant to receive vaccination against COVID-19. It is pivotal to study factors related to vaccine uptake and hesitancy among pregnant individuals. We studied barriers and facilitators for pregnant individuals choice and motivation regarding vaccination against COVID-19 during pregnancy to aid future pregnant individuals in their decision to vaccinate against various infectious agents. Methods: In this qualitative study, pregnant individuals were interviewed between October 2021 and January 2022 using a semi-structured approach. A topic list was used to explore their feelings, perceptions and ideas regarding vaccination against COVID-19 during pregnancy. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analyses was performed using MAX QDA. Results: After nine interviews, saturation was reached. Three main themes were identified that influenced pregnant individuals choice and motivation regarding vaccination: health consequences, ambiguity of information and societal motivation. Health consequences mainly concerned the effect for their offspring, and the unknown long-term effects of COVID-19 vaccination. The advice from the Dutch institute for Public Health and Environment changed from not vaccinating pregnant individuals after release of the developed vaccine, to routinely vaccinating all pregnant individuals after research data were available from the United States of America (USA). This change of policy fuelled doubt and confusion for vaccination. Arguments in favor of vaccination from the social perspective were specific behaviour rules and restrictions due to the pandemic. E.g. without vaccination people were unable to travel abroad and having to take a COVID-19 test every time entering a public place. Conclusion: Pregnant individuals need clear, unambiguous information concerning health consequences, short- and long-term, particularly for their offspring, in the decision-making process regarding COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, the societal perspective needs to be addressed. Besides the aforementioned themes, general counselling should focus on misperceptions of vaccine safety and the role of misinformation which are also important in the non-pregnant population. This study underlines the importance of including pregnant individuals in research programs to obtain specific information targeted to their needs.

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OBJECTIVE: With the spread of smartphones, they have become an indispensable part of life, and nomophobia (No-Mobile-Phone Phobia) has emerged. METHODS: The present research is a cross-sectional study and was conducted with 3,870 primiparous pregnant women between April and May 2022. The research data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Nomophobia Questionnaire, and Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire. RESULTS: The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire score of the pregnant women who participated in the study was 22.3% (n=863) had a clinical fear of childbirth and 19.5% (n=753) had extreme nomophobia. Considering the correlation of the Nomophobia Questionnaire and Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire scores with other variables, it was found that the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire scores increased with the increasing Nomophobia Questionnaire total score (p=0.000, r=236) and the Nomophobia Questionnaire total score and fear of childbirth increased with an increase in the daily phone usage time. It was also revealed that women who had smartphone applications related to fetal development had higher nomophobia levels (p=0.0001), while they had a lower fear of childbirth. CONCLUSION: This study found that one in every five pregnant women was extremely nomophobic and had a clinical fear of childbirth and that nomophobia and the fear of childbirth were correlated at the clinical level. In this regard, women should prefer face-to-face communication rather than smartphones throughout the pregnancy period.

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Food insecurity (FI) is a critical issue in developing countries, particularly in low-resource settings, where it can worsen women's mental health. Psychosocial factors such as low household income, limited education, multiparity, and vulnerability are linked to depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Additionally, the family environment influences parental practices, which may impact mental health. This study evaluates the association of socioeconomic factors, parental practices, FI risk, and home visit frequency with depressive symptoms in pregnant women enrolled in the Happy Child Program (Programa Criança Feliz-PCF) in the Federal District, Brazil. In this cross-sectional study, 132 pregnant women monitored by PCF from May to July 2023 were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire for socioeconomic data, the two-item Triage for Food Insecurity (TRIA) instrument for FI risk, the Scale of Parental Beliefs and Early Childhood Care Practices, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II for depressive symptoms. Most participants were multiparous (87.9%), had low income (under 200 USD/month; 80.8%), presented depressive symptoms (67.4%) and were at risk of FI (81.8%). About half demonstrated adequate parental practices (50.8%) and received four home visits per month during pregnancy (54.5%). Women who received four PCF home visits had a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to those with fewer visits (PR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59-0.98). No significant association was found between FI or parental practices and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that the PCF home-visiting program may strengthen vulnerable families, support social networks, and improve mental health during pregnancy. Additionally, the results of this study highlight the need for targeted interventions aimed at reducing food insecurity and promoting mental health during pregnancy, particularly among socially vulnerable populations. Furthermore, they reinforce the importance of expanding access to home-visiting programs as an effective strategy to improve maternal mental health and well-being, while fostering healthier prenatal environments for both mothers and their children.

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BACKGROUND: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with adverse effects and death among people with low immunity, including pregnant women. Despite introducing the vaccine as the proper means to curb the spread of the pandemic, vaccine uptake is still low. This study assessed the influence of perception, attitude, and trust toward COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care Clinics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used, utilizing a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional analytical design conducted in Mbeya urban, distribution of sample size during data collection based on client's volume at three government health facilities (one tertiary health facility, one secondary health facility, and one primary health facility) in Mbeya Urban, Tanzania. Data were collected from 333 pregnant women who attended ANC during the data collection period using a questionnaire with closed-ended questions administered to respondents face-to-face. Data cleaning and analysis were done using Excel and Stata/SE 14.1 software for bivariate and multivariate data; Pearson's chi-squire and Fisher's test were used to analyze the independent determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake. RESULTS: The proportion of pregnant women vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine was 27%. There was a statistically significant association between the respondents' vaccine uptake with primary education and < 5 work experience to vaccine uptake P = 0.015 (AOR = 6.58; 95% CI; 1.45-29.85), and P = 0.046 (AOR = 2.45; 95% CI; 1.02-5.89) respectively. The association of attitude influence to COVID-19 vaccine uptake was statistically significant (acceptance of vaccine due to its availability, vaccine acceptance for protection against COVID-19 pandemic to respondent and her baby, experience from other vaccines) was statistically significant at P = 0.011 (AOR = 4.43; 95% CI; 1.41-13.93), P = 0.001 (AOR = 45.83; 95% CI; 18.6-112.89) respectively. The level of trust in the COVID-19 vaccine influenced respondents' association with vaccine uptake in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy (P = 0.633 (AOR = 1.23; 95% CI; 0.53-2.48), respectively. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women's positive attitude and trust in the COVID-19 vaccine influenced them to uptake it; our conclusion supports the WHO guidelines that the COVID-19 vaccine should be administered to pregnant women since it is a safer means to curb COVID-19 pregnancy-related complications.

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BACKGROUND: Pregnant patients were a significant population to consider during the pandemic, given the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on obstetric outcomes. While COVID testing was a central pillar of infection control, it became apparent that a subset of the population declined to test. At the same time, data emerged about pregnant persons also declining testing. Yet, it was unknown why pregnant patients declined tests and if those reasons were similar or different from those of the general population. We conducted this study to explore pregnant patients' attitudes, access, and utilization of COVID-19 testing to support healthcare for infection prevention management for this unique and medically complex population. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study of patients who were currently or recently pregnant during the early stages of the pandemic and received outpatient prenatal care at one of the participating study sites. An interview guide was used to conduct in-depth telephone interviews. Coding was performed using NVivo, and analysis was conducted using Grounded Theory. RESULTS: The average age of the participants (N = 37) was 32 (SD 4.21) years. Most were < 35 years of age (57%) and self-described as White (68%). Qualitative analysis identified themes related to barriers to COVID-19 testing access and use during pregnancy, including concerns about test accuracy, exposure to COVID-19 in testing facilities, isolation and separation during labor and delivery, and diminished healthcare quality and patient experience. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of widespread and universal COVID testing policies did not address the unique needs and challenges of pregnant patients as a medically complex population. It is important to understand the reasons and implications for pregnant patients who declined COVID testing during the current pandemic to inform strategies to prevent infection spread in future public health emergencies.

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Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a human rights violation that often involves violence against women, which appears to be the most prevalent type of abuse. IPV is a global public health issue with major human rights violations. Pregnant women's IPV needs special consideration because of the possible harm that might happen to mothers and their fetuses. The enormous global public health issue of IPV affects physical, mental, and sexual transgressions. Even though there were studies conducted on IPV among women, few studies were conducted among pregnant women in sub-Saharan African countries. Therefore, this study revealed IPV and associated factors among pregnant women from the recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in sub-Saharan African countries. Methods: Multilevel logistic regression analysis used data from the recent sub-Saharan African countries DHS was carried out using this secondary data. For this study, pregnant women between the ages of 15 and 49 were included; the total sample size was 17,672. Multilevel logistic regression models were calibrated to determine the associated factors at the individual and community level with IPV, with a 95% CI and AOR. Results: The prevalence of IPV among pregnant women in 23 sub-Saharan African countries was 41.94%, with a 95% CI of 40.82 to 43.06%. Poorer and poorest [AOR = 1.92; 95% CI: (1.01, 3.67)] and [AOR = 2.01; 95% CI:(1.02, 3.92)], partner alcohol drink [AOR = 3.37;95% CI:(2.21, 5.14)], and no partner education [AOR = 2.01;95% CI:(1.12, 3.63)] were statistically associated factors with IPV among pregnant women. Conclusion: The prevalence of IPV among pregnant women in sub-Saharan African countries was high (41.94%). Low economic status, partner drinking alcohol, and partner no education were the associated factors of IPV. This finding provides clues for policymakers and other organizations concerned about women.

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BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence in pregnancy is a significant public health issue that has several detrimental effects. Pregnant women subjected to intimate partner violence (IPV) have a higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, patterns and factors associated with intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending a primary care antenatal clinic. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed to study intimate partner violence among 269 pregnant women in Accra, Ghana between July and October 2021. Participants were selected by systematic sampling technique. The self-reported Composite Abuse Scale was used to assess and classify intimate partner violence. Socio-demographic, clinical (obstetric) and behavioural characteristics were obtained with a structured questionnaire. Associations were determined between independent and dependent variables using the chi-squared test, and logistic regression with adjusted odds ratio (AOR). The statistical significance level was set at a p-value ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of IPV was 11.2%. The prevalence of emotional/psychological abuse, harassment/controlling behaviour, physical abuse, sexual abuse and severe combined abuse were 12.3%, 13.0%, 8.2%, 3.3% and 8.9% respectively. Pregnant women who were employed had reduced odds of experiencing IPV [AOR = 0.16 (95%CI: 0.05-0.47), p = 0.001], however, the past experience of violence [AOR = 4.9 (95%CI: 1.06-22.96), p = 0.042], alcohol use by women [AOR = 7.8 (95%CI: 1.63-37.42), p = 0.01], and partners' alcohol consumption [AOR = 10.0 (95%CI: 3.22-31.26), p<0.001] were associated with increased odds of IPV. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of IPV among pregnant women in this study from a resource-limited setting. The factors found to be associated with IPV in pregnancy were the employment status of women, alcohol consumption by women or their partners and a previous history of violence. Healthcare providers in primary care need to recognize IPV as a medical condition that can occur in pregnancy and be ready to assist and manage the victims when it is detected.

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BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a significant role in the decision-making process of pregnant women on maternal vaccinations. Whereas a high proportion of HCPs discuss maternal vaccinations with pregnant women, confidence in discussing maternal vaccinations is lacking and HCPs experience inadequate training to discuss maternal vaccinations with pregnant women. Furthermore, different practical barriers might influence the consultation process, such as lack of time. More studies on the barriers, as well as facilitators, to discussing maternal vaccinations is needed and will help us to better understand and support HCPs in discussing maternal vaccinations. METHODS: This qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with fourteen HCPs working as midwives or gynaecologists in the Netherlands. An integrated theoretical approach was used to inform data collection and analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted using inductive and deductive approaches. This study followed the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines. RESULTS: The thematic analysis of the data pointed to the following five themes of HCP counselling: the consultation process, attitude, perceived norm, perceived control and improvement ideas. Most HCPs follow a similar approach in maternal pertussis vaccination consultations, beginning by assessing clients' understanding, providing basic information, and addressing questions. However, consultation timing and prioritization vary among HCPs. Challenges in consultations include client requests for clear advice, with HCPs trained to remain neutral, emphasizing client autonomy in decision-making. Most HCPs acknowledge the importance of their consultations in informing pregnant women about maternal pertussis vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers a confirmation of the awareness of the pivotal role of HCPs in informing pregnant women about the maternal pertussis vaccination. HCPs stress the importance of neutral counselling, enabling pregnant women to make well-informed decisions independently. Because of upcoming vaccine hesitancy nowadays, HCPs must be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to navigate difficult conversations. Continuous education and training might help to increase HCPs' confidence in handling difficult consultations. Additionally, making the information materials for pregnant women available in multiple languages and incorporating more visuals to enhance comprehension could support HCPs in reaching a broader group of pregnant women.

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Developing prenatal coparenting is important for preparing couples for parenting immediately after childbirth, but knowledge of prenatal coparenting remains limited. Adult attachment style has been shown to be one of the factors during pregnancy that predict coparenting after childbirth, as well as a significant factor in the developmental process of the coparenting relationship. The present study mainly examines the relationship between prenatal coparenting as perceived by pregnant women and their attachment style. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a tertiary emergency medical facility in Japan. Data from 181 pregnant women at 22-36 weeks' gestation who completed a self-reported questionnaire consisting of the Prenatal Coparenting Scale (PCS), relationship-specific attachment styles, and characteristics were subjected to analysis. The mean age of the women in this study was 33.1 years (standard deviation = 5.2), 80 (44.2%) were expecting their first child, and 101 (55.8%) were expecting their second or subsequent child. Women's attachment avoidance toward their mother (r = -.26), father (r = -.23), and partner (r = -.60) and attachment anxiety toward their partner (r = -.33) were significantly negatively correlated with PCS scores. When classified into two groups by fetal birth order, attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety toward the partner were significantly negatively correlated with PCS scores, regardless of fetal birth order. Unlike attachment style toward the partner, attachment avoidance toward the mother (r = -.33) and father (r = -.32) was significantly negatively correlated with PCS scores in the group of women expecting their second or subsequent child only. These results provide valuable insights into the relationship between prenatal coparenting and adult attachment style and deepen the understanding of prenatal coparenting. Future studies using longitudinal surveys and multivariate analyses could present relevant suggestions for specific types of support that promote the development of prenatal coparenting.

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COVID-19 was responsible for more than 7 million deaths globally, as well as numerous morbidities and social and economic effects. While COVID-19 vaccines were seen as a marvel of science by the scientific community, much of the public had concerns related to COVID-19 vaccines, with certain groups-such as pregnant and lactating women-having specific concerns related to vaccine effects on their pregnancy and breast milk. In this qualitative study, we interviewed stakeholders in Bangladesh (n = 26) and Kenya (n = 94) who affect the decision-making process related to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant and lactating women. These included pregnant and lactating women themselves, community gatekeepers or family members, healthcare workers, and policymakers. Several themes related to confidence and vaccine preference emerged. Stakeholders indicated a lack of confidence related to non-mRNA vaccines due to safety concerns, number of doses, and media coverage; lack of confidence related to mRNA vaccines due to safety concerns; and preference for non-mRNA vaccines due to health system compatibility and availability. While COVID-19 vaccine availability in much of the world-particularly in low-and middle-income countries-affected the public's ability to have a choice in the vaccine they received, there were evident vaccine preferences. As the public health world will continue to face other infectious disease outbreaks, bolstering vaccine confidence broadly and specifically related to new technologies will be paramount to realize the individual-and population-level benefits of life-saving vaccines.

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BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding self-efficacy (BFSE) is a key variable that enhances exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and promotes positive health outcomes for infants and their mothers. To increase BFSE and EBF of mothers, numerous interventions targeting prenatal and postnatal periods have been developed. However, there is paucity of studies utilizing drama interventions for improving BFSE and EBF. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effect of a drama intervention on BFSE, initiation, and EBF of pregnant women in rural communities in Lagelu and Egbeda Local Government Areas (LGAs), Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with pregnant women in their second trimester. Selected communities from Lagelu and Egbeda LGAs were randomized into experimental and control groups. A total of 200 pregnant women (100 experimental and 100 control groups) were enlisted and followed-up at one, three and six months postnatal periods. A six-session programme comprising four episodes of drama and two sessions on hygiene practices were presented to experimental groups prior to delivery, while the control group received health talk on hygiene practices. Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (ODK) was used to obtain information on socio-demographic, BFSE, initiation, and EBF at prenatal and postnatal periods. BSFE scores were categorized as low (14-32), average (33-51), and high (52-70). Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze data at α0.05. RESULTS: Mean ages of women were 28.4 ±6.5 and 27.0±6.2years in experimental and control groups respectively. Average and high BFSE pre-intervention (11.0%; 89.0% and 9.0%; 91.0%) and six months post-intervention (97.3%;100% and 95.2%; 95%) for experimental and control groups. Age, marital status, and occupation were predictors of BFSE, breastfeeding initiation and EBF at (R2 = 22.3; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The experimental group had an increase in BFSE, initiation, and EBF practice compared to control group. The use of drama intervention is recommended for effective breastfeeding practices.

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