Factors affecting the occurrence of postpartum depression among puerperal women in Sohag city, Egypt

Aim: Postpartum Depression (PPD) is one of the most common complications of the postpartum period. In Egypt, previous studies have reported that the prevalence of PPD ranged from 20-50% depending on location in Lower and Upper Egypt. This study aimed to evaluate the co-factors affecting the occurrence of PPD amongst puerperal women in Sohag city, Egypt. Methods: The study was carried out at Sohag University Hospital from June 2015 to May 2016. All women within 6 weeks after birth who gave their consent were included. A pretested questionnaire including demographic, psychosocial, maternal and infant variables as well as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was completed. A woman with an EPDS score ≥13 was considered to have PPD, while a score \u3c 12 ruled out PPD. Results: We recruited 658 women, among whom 47 had an EPDS score ≥13, giving a prevalence of 7.14% of PPD. Women who delivered female babies or those who had a medical illness in their babies were significantly more likely to suffer from PPD. Conclusion: The prevalence of PPD in our setting was 7.14% which reflected the lowest prevalence among regions in Egypt. This could be due to differences of regional culture, families’ ties or other co-factors and needs further verification

The maternal and neonatal outcomes of teenage pregnancy in a tertiary university hospital in Egypt

Aim: To highlight the grave complications among teenage mothers in Assiut Woman\u27s Health Hospital compared with the adult mothers. Methods: This study was a prospective case control study, conducted at the Labor Ward of Assiut Woman\u27s Health Hospital from 1st of January 2016 to 30th of June 2016. We included teenage pregnant women (13-19 completed years at delivery) as case and adult mothers (20-29 years) formed the control group. The primary outcome of the study is the rate of pregnancy complications among teenage mothers. Results: Obstetric complications were higher among the teenage mothers (p=0.0001). The teenage mothers had a higher proportion of normal vaginal delivery (p=0.005). The adult mothers reported a higher rate of elective cesarean section (CS) and operative vaginal delivery (p=0.0001, p=0.002; respectively). The infants of teenage mothers tended to have a lower birth weight and Apgar score than the adult ones. Conclusion: This study clearly states that the teenage mothers and their infants were more liable to complications during pregnancy and labor compared to adult mothers

The maternal and neonatal outcomes of teenage pregnancy in a tertiary university hospital in Egypt

Aim: To highlight the grave complications among teenage mothers in Assiut Woman\u27s Health Hospital compared with the adult mothers. Methods: This study was a prospective case control study, conducted at the Labor Ward of Assiut Woman\u27s Health Hospital from 1st of January 2016 to 30th of June 2016. We included teenage pregnant women (13-19 completed years at delivery) as case and adult mothers (20-29 years) formed the control group. The primary outcome of the study is the rate of pregnancy complications among teenage mothers. Results: Obstetric complications were higher among the teenage mothers (p=0.0001). The teenage mothers had a higher proportion of normal vaginal delivery (p=0.005). The adult mothers reported a higher rate of elective cesarean section (CS) and operative vaginal delivery (p=0.0001, p=0.002; respectively). The infants of teenage mothers tended to have a lower birth weight and Apgar score than the adult ones. Conclusion: This study clearly states that the teenage mothers and their infants were more liable to complications during pregnancy and labor compared to adult mothers

Clinical Learning Environment of the “Nursing of Childbearing Family” Course From the Students’ Perspectives: An Observational Prospective Study

Introduction: The clinical environment, which includes “simulation labs, educators, teaching hospital, and clinical staff,” serves as an active pedagogical strategy that helps students translate their knowledge into technical skills and foster critical thinking. However, this strategy needs a periodic evaluation from students’ perspectives to be updated with technological advancements. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical learning environment of the “nursing the childbearing family” course from the students’ perspectives. Materials and Methods: A study with an observational prospective design was conducted at simulation labs of the childbearing family course, School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. A convenient sample of 62 students (84.93% participation rate) willingly took part in this investigation. A structured questionnaire comprising 54 questions (50 multiple-choice and 4 open-ended questions) was used to students’ perspectives and clinical learning environment. Descriptive (frequency, percentage, Mean±SD) and inferential statistics (the Pearson test and paired t-test) were used to describe and compare the mean scores of the student’s performances before and after receiving the simulation training labs. Results: A total of 62 BSc nursing students (with a 100% response rate) enrolled in the Childbearing and Family Nursing course during the academic year took part in this study. The participants’ mean age was 20.75±0.97 years. Most of the study standards indicators of comparing students’ perspectives before and after clinical training reflected a statistically significant difference (P\u3c0.05). Notably, a significant relationship was observed between the students’ perspectives regarding the clinical site and clinical instructors (r=-0.641, P=0.001). Conclusion: Most students held positive perspectives toward the four standards of students’ clinical site, students’ view of their clinical instructor, effective working relationships between the university and the clinical site, and students’ perspectives of the simulation labs before and after the clinical training were positively significant. However, some views underscored the need for more coverage on some topics, such as obstetric emergencies, breech position, and amniotic fluid embolism. Therefore, the current study confirmed that assessing the clinical environment instilled more confidence in participants to go beyond the course procedures and seek more complex scenarios

Assessing the Impact of Obesity on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes among Saudi Women

Background: The rising prevalence of obesity has a significant impact on obstetrics practice regarding maternal and perinatal complications includes recurrent miscarriage, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and prolonged labor. Objective: To assess the impact of obesity on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes among Saudi women. Methods: The study was conducted at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Jeddah. Design: A cross-sectional retrospective design. A total number of 186 participants were recruited from July to December 2018 according to eligibility criteria. The data were collected retrospectively by a review of the chart records of the labor and delivery department. Results: The mean (SD) age of participants was 31.94 (5.67) years old; two-thirds were in obesity class I. There was a significant association between obesity and pre-existing thyroid disease and induced hypertension class III. However, episiotomy showed that obesity class III was significantly different from obesity class II. Conclusion: This study concludes obesity affects the outcomes of pregnant Saudi associations between obesity and preeclampsia, perineal tears, and episiotomy variables, and other variables reflect no associations. Recommendations: Further studies are needed to generalize the results. This study endorses the pregnant women start the antenatal follow-up from 1st trimester so, the data will be available on the system for research

Monitoring intra-abdominal pressure for early detection of preeclampsia among pregnant women

Background: Elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is commonly present in critically ill patients. Where the trigger mechanism of preeclampsia is related to increase abdominal hypertension. Aim: Monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure for early detection of preeclampsia among pregnant women. Design: A quasi-experiment clinical practice research. Methods: a sample of 60 pregnant women divided into an intervention group included a total of 30 patients diagnosed with preeclampsia and 30 normotensives as a control group. Setting: The study conducted at obstetric ICU and emergency unit, woman's Health Hospital, Upper Egypt.  Results: There is a statistically significant difference between intra-abdominal pressure and preeclampsia and its clinical feature. The risk factors' effects on intra-abdominal pressure, such as age and gravidity, have no statistically significant relationship. Conclusions: The study confirms that the range of intra-abdominal pressure in the preeclamptic group significantly higher than the normotensive group, and there is a positive correlation between elevated IAP and preeclamptic complications. Relevance to clinical practice: Applied continuous nursing monitoring of intra-abdominal pressure for all critical patients in the obstetric field is an essential part of nursing care to avoid abdominal compartment syndrome and organ complications

Describing the lived experiences of nurses and midwives in caring for mothers and families during a fetal loss

Background: Pregnancy is often anticipated as a positive experience for women with the expectation of having a healthy infant in the end. However, some pregnancies end in fetal loss, which can have profound effects on parents and families and is characterized by shock, anger, emptiness, helplessness, and loneliness. Aims: The study aimed to describe the lived experiences of nurses and midwives regarding care provided for mothers and families during the fetal loss at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Western region. Setting and Design: The study setting was the labor and delivery units at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Western region, Saudi Arabia. Husserl's phenomenological approach was used. Materials and Methods: Purposive sampling included 11 nurses and midwives were included. Data were collected through in-depth interviews that were audio reordered and then transcribed verbatim. Statistical Analysis: Thematic analysis using Giorgi's data analysis steps was used. Results: Two themes emerged regarding the experiences of nurses in caring for mothers and families who experience fetal loss, namely emotional turmoil with subthemes, heavy heart, feeling helpless, lack of self-control, feeling guilty, feeling extreme sadness, feeling isolation; and barriers with subthemes culture, lack of nursing care, and limited skill. Conclusion: Two major themes emerged from the study that highlighted that nurses found caring for patients and families after a fetal loss a challenging experience and, at times, were unable to manage their own emotions

Effectiveness of injecting lower dose subcutaneous sterile water versus saline to relief labor back pain: Randomized controlled trial

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a lower dose subcutaneous sterile water injection technique versus subcutaneous saline injection, on the relief of low-back pain for women during childbirth, and to explore the lasting effects of pain relief after administration (followed at 15, 30, 45, 90 and 120 minutes). Methods A prospective randomized controlled single-blinded study was conducted, with trial registration (NCT02813330). Women received one-time injections (sterile water or saline) and the effectiveness was observed at 15, 30, 45, 90 and 120 minutes after the intervention. Results The intervention group had statistically significant pain reduction. Assessment of subsequent pain, followed at 30, 45, 90 and 120 minutes, reflected an increasing change with a statistically significant difference. The intervention group had more burning sensations than the control group with a statistically significant difference. Conclusions The modified technique of double injections of subcutaneous ‘water/ saline’ resulted in significant relief of low-back pain during childbirth

A comprehensive health effects assessment of the use of sanitizers and disinfectants during COVID-19 pandemic: a global survey

COVID-19 has affected all aspects of human life so far. From the outset of the pandemic, preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the observance of health protocols, especially the use of sanitizers and disinfectants was given more attention. Despite the effectiveness of disinfection chemicals in controlling and preventing COVID-19, there are critical concerns about their adverse effects on human health. This study aims to assess the health effects of sanitizers and disinfectants on a global scale. A total of 91,056 participants from 154 countries participated in this cross-sectional study. Information on the use of sanitizers and disinfectants and health was collected using an electronic questionnaire, which was translated into 26 languages via web-based platforms. The findings of this study suggest that detergents, alcohol-based substances, and chlorinated compounds emerged as the most prevalent chemical agents compared to other sanitizers and disinfectants examined. Most frequently reported health issues include skin effects and respiratory effects. The Chi-square test showed a significant association between chlorinated compounds (sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine) with all possible health effects under investigation (p-value <0.001). Examination of risk factors based on multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that alcohols and alcohols-based materials were associated with skin effects (OR, 1.98; 95%CI, 1.87-2.09), per-chlorine was associated with eye effects (OR, 1.83; 95%CI, 1.74-1.93), and highly likely with itching and throat irritation (OR, 2.00; 95%CI, 1.90-2.11). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological effects (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92-2.44). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological effects (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92-2.44). The use of sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine also had a high chance of having respiratory effects. The findings of the current study suggest that health authorities need to implement more awareness programs about the side effects of using sanitizers and disinfectants during viral epidemics especially when they are used or overused