Maternal and child health journal
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Matern Child Health J · Aug 2013
Maternal pre-gravid obesity and early childhood respiratory hospitalization: a population-based case-control study.
Inflammation in utero is linked to childhood respiratory and infectious complications. Obesity is an increasingly common chronic inflammatory state, yet little is known about its role in childhood respiratory illness. We sought to examine the association between maternal pre-gravid BMI and early childhood respiratory hospitalization. ⋯ An elevated maternal pre-gravid BMI was associated with increased risk of childhood respiratory hospitalization, with an adjusted odds ratio OR [95 % CI] = 1.08 [1.03-1.14] for overweight mothers (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2)), and OR = 1.29 [1.22-1.36] for obese mothers (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)). An elevated maternal pre-gravid BMI was associated with higher risk of early childhood respiratory hospitalization. Childhood respiratory illness may be an important complication of excess maternal weight that should be shared with expectant mothers.
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Matern Child Health J · Aug 2013
Emergency obstetric referral in rural Sierra Leone: what can motorbike ambulances contribute? A mixed-methods study.
Giving birth remains a dangerous endeavour for many of the world's women. Progress to improve this has been slow in sub-Saharan Africa. The second delay, where transport infrastructure is key in allowing a woman to reach care, has been a relatively neglected field of study. ⋯ It is well known to the communities, is acceptable and accessible, and is valued by those it serves. District-wide traditional birth attendant training and the sensitisation activities provided a foundation for the introduction of the ambulance service, creating a high level of awareness of the service and its importance, particularly for women in labour. Motorbike ambulances are suited to remote areas and can function on poor roads inaccessible to other vehicles.
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Matern Child Health J · Aug 2013
Comparative StudyDating violence and associated health risks among high school students with disabilities.
Children with disabilities are at a higher risk for various forms of violence including sexual violence, bullying, and physical violence compared to those without disabilities. However there are no studies documenting the prevalence of dating violence amongst a population-based sample of adolescents with disabilities. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of dating violence victimization against high schools students with and without disabilities and to examine associations of dating violence with health risks by disability status among high school girls. ⋯ Among high school students who had ever been on a date, girls (25.9 %, 95 % CI 19.9-31.5) and boys (9.1 %, 95 % CI 5.8-12.4) with disabilities were more likely than girls (8.8 %, 95 % CI 6.8-10.8) and boys (4.5 %, 95 % CI 3.1-5.8) without disabilities to report dating violence. Multivariate analyses indicated that high school girls with disabilities who experienced dating violence were more likely to report feeling sad or hopeless for 2 weeks or more in the past year, suicide ideation in the past 12 months, and drug use in the past 30 days compared to those with disabilities who did not report dating violence and those without disabilities who reported and did not report dating violence. High school students with disabilities are at a greater risk for dating violence victimization compared to those without disabilities and high school girls with disabilities who experience dating violence are at increased risk for experiencing poor mental health outcomes and substance abuse.