A tool for analysing the information behaviour of expectant and new mothers

In recent years, there has been an increase in the variety and availability of information resources in nearly every area of life. Unfortunately, variety and availability don’t always signal quality. With health information, it’s important not only to have quality information resources but also to ensure resources meet the needs of their audience. Expectant and new mothers have become active consumers of health information. They access and combine information from offline and online resources when making healthcare decisions. This paper presents a tool that analyses the information behaviour of expectant and new mothers. The Information Behaviour Analysis Tool (IBAT) is based on a theoretical model of information behaviour that is adapted from extant literature. We use interview and activity diary data from the first stage of a longitudinal exploratory study to create and demonstrate the tool. The IBAT can be used to map the information behaviour of new and expectant mothers from beginning to end. Three different search episodes are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the tool and to highlight different types of search strategies. These examples demonstrate the variability of uncertainty as a factor during information behaviour and the interaction it can have when processing different information resources

Supporting childbirth knowledge acquisition and decision-making through digital communication technology: the research design of an ongoing study following a mixed-method approach

This paper describes the research design of an ongoing study that overlaps three main fields: technology, health, and social science. This transdisciplinarity approach naturally brings challenges to the methodological plan, which this paper presents, and aims to guide the creation, validation and evaluation of a digital decision aid, and its comparison to a paper-based solution. Through the data collection from different natures, it is expected to be possible to understand the different sources, channels and formats of content that can contribute for childbirth knowledge acquisition; if communication can be facilitated between expectant parents, health care professionals, and childbirth educators; and ultimately, if the tool could provide a mean to create a document regarding birth preferences.publishe

Ultrasound as a technology of reassurance? How pregnant women and health care professionals articulate ultrasound reassurance and its limitations

The premise that ultrasound technologies provide reassurance for pregnant women is well‐rehearsed. However, there has been little research about how this reassurance is articulated and understood by both expectant mothers and health care professionals. In this article, we draw on two qualitative UK studies to explore the salience of ultrasound reassurance to women's pregnancy experiences whilst highlighting issues around articulation and silence. Specifically, we capture how expectant parents express a general need for reassurance and how visualisation and the conduct of professionals have a crucial role to play in accomplishing a sense of reassurance. We also explore how professionals have ambiguities about the relationship between ultrasound and reassurance, and how they subsequently articulate reassurance to expectant mothers. By bringing two studies together, we take a broad perspectival view of how gaps and silences within the discourse of ultrasound reassurance leave the claims made for ultrasound as a technology of reassurance unchallenged. Finally, we explore the implications this can have for women's experiences of pregnancy and health care professionals’ practices

The baby box : Enhancing the wellbeing of babies and mothers around the world

The baby box is a Finnish social innovation that has captivated interest around the globe. This book highlights the journey of the baby box in over 60 countries, offering a comprehensive overview of the Finnish baby box and its many international adaptations. The story of the baby box begins in post-war Finland, where it evolved from a community-based resource to a nationally-funded and internationally recognized social benefit. The global mapping of the baby box presented in this book expands on this history by exploring the influence of the baby box concept internationally, from refugee camps and high-income countries to remote islands and prisons. Written by an international, multi-disciplinary team of researchers, this book explores the baby box concept from various angles. The diverse and expansive nature of this study makes it an excellent resource for parents, researchers, and anyone generally interested in the baby box concept. Also showcased are the many creative solutions that baby box programme organisers have devised to address context-specific challenges, making it additionally useful as a handbook for policy-makers or professionals developing their own programme.The baby box is a social innovation: a maternity package with baby clothes and other items for expectant mothers to promote the wellbeing of baby and family. In Finland, the baby box (officially called the maternity package) has been a universal benefit since 1949 and is given to all expectant mothers provided they attend antenatal care (ANC). The baby box is still considered to be a valuable social benefit in Finland today, with 95% of first-time mothers choosing the box instead of a cash grant. Although it is known that the baby box concept has been adapted across the world, there is little information available about how these adaptations have been made and for what purpose the boxes are given out. In order to map these programmes, we conducted a research project on baby boxes globally. Based on our findings, this report introduces the baby box concept, its various adaptations, and its possible uses to improve maternal and child health and wellbeing globally. The contents of this report are based on a mapping of 91 baby box programmes and an in-depth study of 29 programmes across different world regions in high-, middle- and low-income countries. These programmes were initiated by governmental bodies, non-profit organisations, United Nations (UN) agencies, hospitals, and academic institutions. Although we use the term baby “box” throughout the report, many programmes used a different container, such as a basket or bag, to package the items. The programmes ranged in scale from small to nationwide and targeted various groups, from specific vulnerable communities to all pregnant women in a country. Programmes set various goals, including reducing infant or maternal mortality, promoting the wellbeing of babies and mothers, easing financial and parenting burden, encouraging the uptake of health and community support services, and strengthening communities and reducing inequalities. They intended to achieve their goals through the practical support provided by the box and items, as well as the conditions attached to claiming the box (e.g. attendance at services) and additional education (e.g. booklets or arranged groups) included in the programme. The impact of the baby box is of timely concern, as governments are increasingly interested in the concept. However, it is difficult to provide an unequivocal answer to the question of whether the baby box “works,” as this depends on the desired outcomes of the programme. In addition, due to resource constraints, few programmes measure the impact of their intervention systematically. In response to this question and these restraints, we outline the potential current contributions of the baby box to the wellbeing of mothers and babies and provide a commentary on its possible future impact. For example, there is emerging evidence globally that baby box programmes can increase the rates of attending ANC or giving birth at a health facility, which may save lives in contexts where these rates are traditionally low. Baby box programmes may also provide psychosocial support for the mother during the vulnerable time of childbirth. Beyond their potential to support families in their everyday lives, baby box programmes may also be valuable in contexts where families have been forced to flee their homes, such as natural disasters or refugee camps. In addition to our findings, we also discuss high-interest topics surrounding the baby box, including safety issues. Ultimately, we intend for our report to serve as an overview of baby box programmes and a foundation for further research, as well as a reference for those interested in the topic or aiming to implement or evaluate a baby box programme themselves. The baby box is not a one-size-fits-all solution to intricate health challenges. However, it offers significant health and social gains, especially for those who are commonly the most vulnerable in communities: mothers and babies.31,00 euroanonPeerReviewedVertaisarvioimato

South Africa, HIV/AIDS, and Education

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are huge problems in South Africa. HIV is a disease that attacks a person’s immune system and, if not properly treated, can lead to AIDS. While there is a treatment—antiretroviral drugs—HIV remains a highly stigmatized disease. This field project focuses on reducing stigma so people are unafraid to get tested or seek treatment. Created to benefit both teachers and their learners, the goal of this mathematics curriculum (consisting of 12 lesson plans and worksheets) is to begin HIV/AIDS awareness in school so accurate information is learned and stigma is reduced. The 12 lesson plans developed integrates HIV/AIDS content into the South African government-issued grade 4 curriculum. Each lesson plan reviews the mathematical concept being taught at that time, and also covers one component of HIV. HIV topics include transmission, statistical breakdowns by demographic factors, and HIV positive mothers. The data used in the lesson plans are based on current South African data. While education in the current school system is a promising tool to combat stigma related to HIV, additional research and considerations must be taken before implementation. This project has not researched the legal ramifications or barriers integration of HIV material may face in South Africa. A slow rollout with pilot testing is recommended. The information will need to be regularly updated based on current research. If successfully implemented, this curriculum has the possibility to bring great change in South Africa

Parents’ experiences of conceptualising and relating to their unborn child : a constructivist grounded theory

Antenatal thoughts and feelings about the fetus are thought to be somewhat predictive of the later parent-child relationship. The parental-fetal tie is, however, poorly understood. The field is plagued by disagreement in existing conceptualisations, conflicting results in efforts to identify predictors, correlates and consequences of the tie, and a dearth of research looking into the phenomenon from a paternal perspective. In response to these issues, the purpose of the current study was to construct a substantive theory of expectant parents’ fetal conceptual and relational experiences.Following the receipt of ethical approval, constructivist grounded theory was used to explore data generated through semi-structured individual interviews conducted with a purposive and theoretical sample of nine first-time expectant mothers and their male partners, in early, middle and late pregnancy. Data analysis, involving techniques of coding, constant comparison and memo-writing, resulted in the development of a theoretical model.The parental-fetal tie is characterised as an evolving phenomenon which takes a convoluted and individualised path to reach maturation. Coming to think of the fetus as a known other and as part of the intimate family unit are vital in achieving a sense of relatedness. An increasingly tangible fetus facilitates such an outlook. Nevertheless, the development of the tie is limited by restricted access to the unborn child, as well as by difficulties in perceiving fetal reciprocity.The results suggest that expectant mothers and fathers conceptualise and connect to the unborn child in comparable ways, despite physical disparities in the pregnancy experience. Given the nature of the tie, it is thought that assessing it through self-report instruments may not be feasible. Providing inclusive care to the parental dyad will encourage engagement with the fetus. Further longitudinal research spanning the transition to parenthood is needed to understand the postpartum sequelae of the processes observed antenatally

Why health visiting? Examining the potential public health benefits from health visiting practice within a universal service: A narrative review of the literature

INTRODUCTION: There is increasing international interest in universal, health promoting services for pregnancy and the first three years of life and the concept of proportionate universalism. Drawing on a narrative review of literature, this paper explores mechanisms by which such services might contribute to health improvement and reducing health inequalities. OBJECTIVES: Through a narrative review of empirical literature, to identify: DESIGN: The paper draws upon a scoping study and narrative review. REVIEW METHODS: We used three complementary approaches to search the widely dispersed literature: Our key inclusion criterion was information about health visiting practice. We included empirical papers from United Kingdom (UK) from 2004 to February 2012 and older seminal papers identified in search (3), identifying a total of 348 papers for inclusion. A thematic content analysis compared the older (up to 2003) with more recent research (2004 onwards). RESULTS: The analysis revealed health visiting practice as potentially characterized by a particular 'orientation to practice.' This embodied the values, skills and attitudes needed to deliver universal health visiting services through salutogenesis (health creation), person-centredness (human valuing) and viewing the person in situation (human ecology). Research about health visiting actions focuses on home visiting, needs assessment and parent-health visitor relationships. The detailed description of health visitors' skills, attitudes, values, and their application in practice, provides an explanation of how universal provision can potentially help to promote health and shift the social gradient of health inequalities. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of needs across an undifferentiated, universal caseload, combined with an outreach style that enhances uptake of needed services and appropriate health or parenting information, creates opportunities for parents who may otherwise have remained unaware of, or unwilling to engage with such provision. There is a lack of evaluative research about health visiting practice, service organization or universal health visiting as potential mechanisms for promoting health and reducing health inequalities. This paper offers a potential foundation for such research in future