Midwifery
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limited efforts have been made to understand the complex relationships between women's experiences of birth and the influence of the design and environment of a birth space. Domestic aesthetics in a birth space are believed to be an important aspect of optimal birth unit design. ⋯ the findings of this study add to the existing literature on birth unit design and more specifically contribute to an understanding of how the features of domesticity within the birth setting may shape the experience of labouring women and their care providers. The evidence gained from the study will assist in the ongoing movement to humanise birth spaces and develop further understandings of how home-like birth spaces should look. Those designing, building, furnishing, managing, accessing and working in Birthing Services could all benefit from the consideration of how environments designed for the care of birthing women, may be affecting the outcomes and experiences of women and their families.
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validated and reliable tools measuring the level of competence about breastfeeding amongst health professionals who attend mothers in primary care are scarce. ⋯ this is a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess a basic level of competence about breast feeding among primary care professionals involved in supporting breast-feeding mothers. This questionnaire may help to identify health professionals who require support to improve their capability to manage women who are breast feeding.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Development and evaluation of a newborn care education programme in primiparous mothers in Nepal.
the health and survival of newborns depend on high levels of attention and care from caregivers. The growth and development of some infants are unhealthy because of their mother's or caregiver's lack of knowledge or the use of inappropriate or traditional child-rearing practices that may be harmful. ⋯ the structured newborn care education programme enhanced the infant and mother health. Moreover, it increased maternal knowledge of newborn care and maternal confidence; and reduced anxiety in primiparous mothers. Thus, this educational programme could be integrated into routine educational programs to promote maternal and infant well-being in Nepalese society.
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this study examined factors associated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS) following childbirth in women with normal, low-risk pregnancies in Nigde, Turkey. ⋯ maternity care services in Turkey need to recognise the potential impact of birth experiences on women's mental health and adaptation after birth. The importance of self-efficacy in pregnancy suggests antenatal education or support may protect women against developing post partum PTS, but this needs to be examined further.
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intimate partner violence is a significant global health problem but remains largely hidden. Understanding decisions about whether or not to disclose violence in response to routine enquiry in health settings can inform safe and responsive systems. Elevated rates of violence and systematic disadvantage found among Indigenous women globally, can impact on their decisions to disclose violence. This study aimed to test, among Indigenous women, a model for decisions on whether to disclose intimate partner violence in the context of antenatal routine screening. ⋯ policies to ask abuse questions at first visits and models where continuity of care is not maintained, are problematic for Aboriginal women, among whom relationship building is important as is ample warning about questions to be asked. Strategies are needed to build cultural safety to counter widespread racism and promote safe opportunities for Indigenous women to disclose intimate partner violence and receive support. Elements of cultural safety are necessary for vulnerable or marginalised populations to fully utilise available health services.