Maternal and child health journal
-
Matern Child Health J · Feb 2016
Do Children with Autism Overutilize the Emergency Department? Examining Visit Urgency and Subsequent Hospital Admissions.
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are more likely to have difficulties accessing health care compared to other children with special health care needs. National data based on parent report indicate that children with ASD are overutilizing emergency department (ED) services, but data on actual ED use has been limited to children with psychiatric diagnoses. This study examined factors associated with ED utilization (rate, urgency, and hospital admissions) among children with ASD compared to those without ASD. ⋯ Examination of predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors suggest that children with ASD were more likely to visit the ED and for nonurgent reasons.
-
Matern Child Health J · Feb 2016
Observational StudyFactors Influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding in Early Infancy: A Prospective Study in North Central Nigeria.
To determine the association between prenatal exclusive breastfeeding intentions and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and explore other factors associated with EBF until 3 months postpartum among mothers residing in suburban parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria. ⋯ Prenatal exclusive breastfeeding intention was a strong predictor of exclusive breastfeeding. Intentions to EBF were further explained by maternal characteristics. Effective promotion of exclusive breastfeeding during prenatal period should also target factors influencing breastfeeding intentions. Additional research is warranted into the influence of maternal attitudes and self-efficacy about breastfeeding on breastfeeding intentions and practice.
-
Matern Child Health J · Feb 2016
Do Socioeconomic Inequalities in Neonatal Mortality Reflect Inequalities in Coverage of Maternal Health Services? Evidence from 48 Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
To examine socioeconomic and health system determinants of wealth-related inequalities in neonatal mortality rates (NMR) across 48 low- and middle-income countries. ⋯ Reducing the financial burden of maternal health services and achieving universal coverage of antenatal care may contribute to a reduction in socioeconomic differences in NMR. Further investigation of the mechanisms contributing to these cross-national associations seems warranted.