Elaborating and adjusting the textbook and course of study content in arithmetic grade 6, Lowell, Massachusetts

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Elaborating and adjusting the textbook and course of study content in arithmetic grade 6, Lowell, Massachusetts

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Infant Feeding Practices in China and Ireland - Ireland Chinese Mother

Introduction: Migration to another country may induce changes in infant feeding practices especially where such practices differ considerably between the two countries. This study was undertaken to compare the infant feeding practices between Chinese mothers who gave birth in Ireland (CMI) with immigrant Chinese mothers who gave birth in China (CMC), and to examine the factors that influence these practices. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administrated survey was conducted among a convenience sample of 322 Chinese mothers living in Ireland. Data were obtained from mailed questionnaires. Infant feeding practices between CMC and CMI were compared by Chi-square or independent sample t-test. Binary logistic regression analyses were further performed to test the differences in infant feeding practices between two groups, after controlling for potential socio-demographic confounders. Results: High breastfeeding initiation rates were found in both groups (CMC: 87.2%; CMI: 75.6%); however sharp reductions in breastfeeding rates at 3 months (49.1%) and 6 months (28.4%) were found among CMI but not CMC (P \u3c 0.05). Introduction of water within 1 week after childbirth was common for CMC in comparison with CMI. CMI were more likely than CMC to introduce infant formula to their child within the first 4 months after childbirth. The timing of introduction of rice porridge, vegetables, fruits and meats did not differ between CMC and CMI. Conclusions: Cultural and perceptional factors, and changes caused by migration contribute to the decline in breastfeeding duration among CMI. Language-specific breastfeeding support and education among Chinese mothers in Ireland is needed, in particular to encourage mothers to breastfeed for 6 months or more

Socio-Economic Differences in Food Group and Nutrient Intakes Among Young Women in Ireland

The present study aimed to investigate socio-economic disparities in food and nutrient intakes among young Irish women. A total of 221 disadvantaged and seventy-four non-disadvantaged women aged 18–35 years were recruited. Diet was assessed using a diet history protocol. Of the total population, 153 disadvantaged and sixty-three non-disadvantaged women were classified as plausible dietary reporters. Food group intakes, nutrient intakes and dietary vitamin and mineral concentrations per MJ of energy consumed were compared between the disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged populations, as was compliance with dietary fibre, macronutrient and micronutrient intake guidelines. The disadvantaged women had lower intakes than the non-disadvantaged women of fruit, vegetables, fish, breakfast cereals, low-fat milk and wholemeal bread (all P,0·001), yogurt (P¼0·001), low-fat spread (P¼0·002) and fresh meat (P¼0·003). They also had higher intakes of butter, processed red meats, white bread, sugar-sweetened beverages, fried potatoes and potato-based snacks (all P,0·001) and full-fat milk (P¼0·014). Nutritionally, the disadvantaged women had higher fat, saturated fat and refined sugar intakes; lower dietary fibre, vitamin and mineral intakes; and lower dietary vitamin and mineral densities per MJ than their more advantaged peers. Non-achievement of carbohydrate (P¼0·017), fat (P,0·001), saturated fat (P,0·001), refined sugar (P,0·001), folate (P¼0·050), vitamin C (P,0·001), vitamin D (P¼0·047) and Ca (P¼0·019) recommendations was more prevalent among the disadvantaged women. Both groups showed poor compliance with Fe and Na guidelines. We conclude that the nutritional deficits present among these socially disadvantaged women are significant, but may be potentially ameliorated by targeted food-based interventions

Maternal Awareness of the Association Between Paediatric Diet and Adult Disease Risk: A Follow-Up to the DIT-Coombe Hospital Study.

Chronic disease has been traditionally attributed to risk factors in adulthood; however, current orthodoxy suggests that the true origins of such diseases are initiated much earlier in life from inappropriate nutritional circumstances arising during the formative years(1). The present study was undertaken to examine current maternal attitudes towards the importance of paediatric diet in relation to adult diseases and to determine the extent to which attitudinal differences between subgroups in the population exist. A non-randomised postal follow-up survey to the DIT–Coombe Hospital Infant Feeding Study was carried out, involving the recruitment of 209 mothers from a pool sample of 520 mothers in the previous study(2) (response rate 46.7 %). Quantitative data were obtained from a cross-sectional questionnaire ranking maternal attitudes towards infant diet on a five-point Likert scale(3) (from strongly disagree to strongly agree) of perceived importance. In general, a higher percentage of respondents (64) had a cumulative positive view of the relationship between paediatric diet and disease risk. Of the mothers \u3e70 % expressed a strong positive attitude towards the influence of early childhood diet and the risk of being overweight, poor growth and development, unhealthy food preference, osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. In comparison, cancer, eczema and food allergies were viewed positively overall but the extent to which individuals most strongly agreed with each fell to \u3c50\u3e%. The majority had a negative opinion (either disagreed strongly or tended to disagree) of the importance of paediatric diet in mental health problems. According to one-way ANOVA analysis, attitudinal differences in mean scores (P\u3c0.05) were observed in mothers according to age at time of birth, education level, accommodation status and health insurance status, as well as the timing of weaning The results indicate that mothers who are younger and less educated, as well as those who wean their child before 12 weeks after birth should be targeted for further health education on the specific benefits of infant diet, which may in turn contribute towards relieving the strain of chronic disease on society. 1. Barker DJP, Erikson JG, Forsen T & Osmond C (2002) Int J Epidemiol 31, 1235–1239. 2. Tarrant RC, Younger K, Sheridan-Periera M & Kearney JM (2007) Proc Nutr Soc 66, 54A. 3. Nayak L & Erinjeri JP (2008) Acad Radiol 15, 383-389

Developing Cancer Services: Patient and Carer Experiences. Final Report

This is the Final Report of the Developing Cancer Services: Patient and Carer Experiences programme funded by the Scottish Executive Health Department undertaken by the Cancer Care Research Centre (CCRC). The report draws on a series of eight projects conducted as part of the programme between 2004 and 2007. There are separate final reports for each of these projects, which provide details of the methods, findings, conclusions and recommendations for each aspect of the work. These reports are available on the CCRC website www.cancercare.stir.ac.u

An Evaluation of the Rachel House at Home Service for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland: Summary Public Report

First paragraph: The Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) was established in 1992 and is known across the country as a charity committed to specialist caring, support and respite for children and young people with palliative care needs and their families. The primary objective of CHAS is to offer hospice services, free of charge to every child and family who needs and wants them (CHAS, 2005). CHAS has two hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch, and offers a home care service in the Central Belt area, a 24 hour telephone support and advice service and a small home care service called Rachel House at Home (RHAH) in the north of Scotland based at Highland Hospice, Inverness

Factors Associated with Weaning Practices in Term Infants: a Prospective Observational Study in Ireland.

The WHO (2001) recommends exclusive breast-feeding and delaying the introduction of solid foods to an infant’s diet until 6 months postpartum. However, in many countries, this recommendation is followed by few mothers, and earlier weaning onto solids is a commonly reported global practice. Therefore, this prospective, observational study aimed to assess compliance with the WHO recommendation and examine weaning practices, including the timing of weaning of infants, and to investigate the factors that predict weaning at #12 weeks. From an initial sample of 539 pregnant women recruited from the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, 401 eligible mothers were followed up at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Quantitative data were obtained on mothers’ weaning practices using semi-structured questionnaires and a short dietary history of the infant’s usual diet at 6 months. Only one mother (0·2 %) complied with the WHO recommendation to exclusively breastfeed up to 6 months. Ninety-one (22·6 %) infants were prematurely weaned onto solids at #12 weeks with predictive factors after adjustment, including mothers’ antenatal reporting that infants should be weaned onto solids at #12 weeks, formula feeding at 12 weeks and mothers’ reporting of the maternal grandmother as the principal source of advice on infant feeding. Mothers who weaned their infants at #12 weeks were more likely to engage in other sub-optimal weaning practices, including the addition of non-recommended condiments to their infants’ foods. Provision of professional advice and exploring antenatal maternal misperceptions are potential areas for targeted interventions to improve compliance with the recommended weaning practices