<p> The purpose of this project was to create a brochure based on current healthy pregnancy outcome recommendations with additional recommendations for reducing organophosphate (OP) pesticide exposure and promotion of nutrition quality of organic versus conventionally grown food. Specific objectives of the project were: (a) review the literature and depth of the problem, (b) review existing similar healthy pregnancy outcome educational material, (c) develop a brochure for the purpose of educating women of childbearing age and pregnant women about healthy pregnancy outcome recommendations, and (d) develop tools to measure learner comprehension of the information presented in the brochure, as well as obtain recommendations for improving the brochure. An expert panel reviewed the brochure and modifications were made based on their suggestions. Implementing the resulting evidence-based brochure could help increase healthy pregnancy outcomes and improve the overall health of women and children.</p>

<p> Malnutrition has long permeated Nepal, causing stunting and developmental delays in the youth. While there are many factors that contribute to malnutrition, early feeding practices, including breastfeeding and colostrum usage among Nepali mothers, . The objective of this study was to determine if there was a significant correlation between specific breastfeeding practices, the usage of colostrum to infants and other demographics, knowledge related to breast feeding, colostrum practices and cultural customs concerning the Nepali mothers. A survey was distributed to 94 Nepali women in six different regions of Eastern Nepal. The survey consisted of 64 questions related to demographics, practices concerning breastfeeding, breastfeeding knowledge, early feeding practices and usage of colostrum. Prenatal education was significantly related to colostrum knowledge score (<i>p</i> = 0.38). Hindu/Buddhist women were more likely to choose answers that aligned with research concerning the giving of food other than breastmilk (&lt; 6 mos of age) and chose more answers that aligning with research on the knowledge score, than compared to Christian women (<i>p</i> = 0.005, <i>p</i> = 0.002, <i>p </i> = 0.003). Significant results also showed that Christian women are more likely to practice chappaudi (sleeping in an outside shed during menstruation) than compared to Hindu/Buddhist women (<i>p</i> = .007). These results contradict current literature. A limiting factor includes Christian women answering yes to the question, while handwriting that the practice is for Hindu women. Thus, the data may be skewed due to being unable to include these other hand-written information that the women provided. Further research needs to be explored comparing family&rsquo;s income to usage of colostrum and breastfeeding practices. More research also needs to investigate how the health of the mother leads to malnutrition of the child.</p><p>

<p> Breastfeeding support has increased over the past 2 decades, especially in the workplace. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 provided several protections for working, breastfeeding women. Prior to the passage of this legislation, the North Dakota State Legislature amended SB 2344 to create an Infant Friendly business designation available to any business or organization in the state providing specified lactation accommodations for their employees. While this amendment has been in effect since 2009, and the first cohort of businesses was designated in 2011, there has been no evaluation of this designation to determine effectiveness. The purpose of this research is to examine the difference in breastfeeding continuation rates between women working for Infant Friendly and non-designated businesses, and to identify how intention, self-efficacy, and other worksite factors influence breastfeeding duration. An 85 item online questionnaire was developed and distributed using various sampling methods to working women across the state of North Dakota. T-tests, Analysis of Variance, and forward step-wise regression were used to analyze results. While there was no statistically significant difference in breastfeeding duration between designated and non-designated businesses, there was a 3-month difference in duration between continually designated businesses and those letting their designation lapse. Participants disagreed that breastfeeding education was available from their employers. With regard to intention, women who intended to exclusively breastfeed did so with a four month longer duration than those with other feeding intentions, although the results were not statistically significant. Women who perceived only minor challenges with combining breastfeeding and working, and those with greater self &ndash;efficacy for breastfeeding had longer breastfeeding durations as well. While the designation is a starting point for worksite breastfeeding support, it could be more comprehensive. Adding a policy promotion and breastfeeding education component to the designation may improve awareness and use of accommodations, making the designation more impactful. These additions may also aid in increasing breastfeeding intention and self-efficacy among working women, and decrease the perception of barriers.</p><p>