All Our Babies Cohort Study: recruitment of a cohort to predict women at risk of preterm birth through the examination of gene expression profiles and the environment

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for preterm birth include a personal or familial history of preterm delivery, ethnicity and low socioeconomic status yet the ability to predict preterm delivery before the onset of preterm labour evades clinical practice. Evidence suggests that genetics may play a role in the multi-factorial pathophysiology of preterm birth. The All Our Babies Study is an on-going community based longitudinal cohort study that was designed to establish a cohort of women to investigate how a women's genetics and environment contribute to the pathophysiology of preterm birth. Specifically this study will examine the predictive potential of maternal leukocytes for predicting preterm birth in non-labouring women through the examination of gene expression profiles and gene-environment interactions.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Collaborations have been established between clinical lab services, the provincial health service provider and researchers to create an interdisciplinary study design for the All Our Babies Study. A birth cohort of 2000 women has been established to address this research question. Women provide informed consent for blood sample collection, linkage to medical records and complete questionnaires related to prenatal health, service utilization, social support, emotional and physical health, demographics, and breast and infant feeding. Maternal blood samples are collected in PAXgene™ RNA tubes between 18-22 and 28-32 weeks gestation for transcriptomic analyses.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The All Our Babies Study is an example of how investment in clinical-academic-community partnerships can improve research efficiency and accelerate the recruitment and data collection phases of a study. Establishing these partnerships during the study design phase and maintaining these relationships through the duration of the study provides the unique opportunity to investigate the multi-causal factors of preterm birth. The overall All Our Babies Study results can potentially lead to healthier pregnancies, mothers, infants and children.</p

The perspectives of Brazilian homemakers concerning living with type 2 diabetes mellitus La perspectiva de ama de casa brasileña sobre la vida con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 As perspectivas de donas de casa brasileiras sobre a sua experiência com diabetes mellitus tipo 2

The purpose of this study is to present an understanding of the experience of Brazilian homemakers with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). A descriptive exploratory design was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 Brazilian homemakers concerning their experience. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and the resulting text was analyzed using the sequential step method. Data converged to one dominant category, "constructing one's identity in the family context", which is comprised of three categories: gender differences; day-to-day concerns; and incongruity between knowledge and behavior related to DM2. These findings suggest that participants construct their identities within the family context and that their experience of living with DM2 is integral to their self-identification as wives and mothers. This, in turn, has implications for the design and implementation of programs to assist women in managing DM2 effectively.<br>El propósito de este estudio es comprender la experiencia de las amas de casa brasileñas con la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). Se empleo un abordaje exploratorio descriptivo, donde participaron de las entrevistas 25 amas de casa de Brasil acerca de su experiencia con el DM. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas, transcritas y el texto resultante se analizó mediante el método secuencial de cuatro etapas: aprensión, síntesis, teorización y transferencia. Los datos se reunieron en un tema dominante: "construyendo su identidad en el contexto familiar", que se compone de tres sub-temas: las diferencias de género, las preocupaciones del cotidiano y la incongruencia entre el conocimiento y el comportamiento relacionado con DM2. Estos hallazgos sugieren que los participantes construyen su propia identidad dentro del contexto familiar y que su experiencia de vivir con DM2 es parte integral de su identificación como esposas y madres. Esto, a su vez, tiene implicaciones para el planeamiento e implementación de programas para ayudar a las mujeres para administrar con eficacia la DM2.<br>O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender a experiência de donas de casa brasileiras com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). Foi utilizada abordagem descritiva exploratória, e entrevistas semiestruturadas foram realizadas com 25 donas de casa, abordando sua experiência com o DM2. As entrevistas foram gravadas, transcritas e o texto resultante foi analisado usando-se o método de etapas sequenciais. Os dados convergiram para um tema dominante construindo sua identidade no contexto da família, composto por três subtemas: diferenças de gênero, preocupações do dia a dia e incongruência, entre conhecimento e comportamento, relacionada ao DM2. Esses achados sugerem que as participantes constroem sua identidade no contexto da família e que a experiência de viver com DM2 é parte integrante de sua identificação como esposa e mãe. Esses resultados têm implicações para o planejamento e a implementação de programas que contribuam para que as mulheres gerenciem seu DM2 de forma eficaz

Influence of interpersonal violence on maternal anxiety, depression, stress and parenting morale in the early postpartum: a community based pregnancy cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Research has shown that exposure to interpersonal violence is associated with poorer mental health outcomes. Understanding the impact of interpersonal violence on mental health in the early postpartum period has important implications for parenting, child development, and delivery of health services. The objective of the present study was to determine the impact of interpersonal violence on depression, anxiety, stress, and parenting morale in the early postpartum.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Women participating in a community-based prospective cohort study (n = 1319) completed questionnaires prior to 25 weeks gestation, between 34–36 weeks gestation, and at 4 months postpartum. Women were asked about current and past abuse at the late pregnancy data collection time point. Postpartum depression, anxiety, stress, and parenting morale were assessed at 4 months postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Spielberger State Anxiety Index, the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, and the Parenting Morale Index, respectively. The relationship between interpersonal violence and postpartum psychosocial health status was examined using Chi-square analysis (p < 0.05) and multivariable logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Approximately 30% of women reported one or more experience of interpersonal violence. Sixteen percent of women reported exposure to child maltreatment, 12% reported intimate partner violence, and 12% reported other abuse. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that a history of child maltreatment had an independent effect on depression in the postpartum, while both child maltreatment and intimate partner violence were associated with low parenting morale. Interpersonal violence did not have an independent effect on anxiety or stress in the postpartum.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The most robust relationships were seen for the influence of child maltreatment on postpartum depression and low parenting morale. By identifying women at risk for depression and low parenting morale, screening and treatment in the prenatal period could have far-reaching effects on postpartum mental health thus benefiting new mothers and their families in the long term.</p