ABSTRACT This study sought to explore the experiences of pregnant adolescent learners. It solicited information around challenges faced by pregnant adolescent girls, the impact of pregnancy on interpersonal relationships and psychological functioning, the support system that pregnant learners have, as well as their current feelings and perceptions about their experience. It is a qualitative study, and it employed thematic content analysis to analyse the results. The sample, comprising of five adolescent girls, was drawn purposively from Soweto High Schools. Adolescent pregnancy is generally perceived as a social problem because of the negative consequences often associated with it. Literature also suggests that low socio-economic circumstances and developmental factors predispose adolescents to a higher risk for unplanned pregnancy. The results of this study indicate that an experience of pregnancy during adolescence often results in challenges that may have a negative impact on normative development. Another finding is that most adolescent mothers receive very little or no financial and emotional support from families, partners or formal structures.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / Teenage pregnancy is a social problem that affects and destroys the future of teenage girls, especially teenage learners. Its impact is not only felt by the teenage girls, but also by their families, schools, and the country in general. This study sought to develop an educational social group work model on teenage pregnancy for learners in schools in the North West province. To this effect, this study was anchored on five objectives, namely: to establish the extent of teenage pregnancy amongst learners in schools in the North West province; to assess factors that predispose learners to indulge in sexual activities despite the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; to describe the roles of parents in the prevention of teenage pregnancy amongst learners; to identify prevention measures used by the schools to prevent teenage pregnancy; and to develop, implement, and evaluate an educational social group work model on teenage pregnancy for learners. The study adopted a mixed methods approach by combining the qualitative and quantitative paradigms. The population of the study consisted of learners, while school principals, deputy principals, Life Orientation teachers, and parents/guardians were the key informants. The findings of this study confirm that teenage pregnancy is a serious problem that continues to affect schools. All grades from the secondary schools that participated in this study reported cases of learner pregnancies. The grades with high reported cases include Grades 10, 11, and 12, while Grades 8 and 9 appeared to be the least affected. Furthermore, the findings indicate that male learners are most likely to father children with female learners. The development of an educational social group work model on teenage pregnancy for learners was achieved via a literature review and the empirical findings from learners and the key informants. Group work as a method of the social work profession was chosen in this study because it is intensive in nature, and the follow-up sessions provided a platform for the evaluation of social worker interventions and the performance of individual members and the entire group. The developed model was implemented and evaluated. Different topics were discussed during a marathon of eight

Background: Exercise in pregnancy is associated with optimized fetal growth; however, the implicated mechanisms remain unknown. We hypothesize that exercise-induced myokines may be acting on the placenta to optimize fetal growth across gestation. Methodology: 1) Circulating profiles of 11 myokines were analyzed in 2nd trimester plasma of women characterized as active (N=14) or non-active (N=16) during pregnancy. 2) First trimester human placental explants (N=5) were treated with SPARC in a dose-dependent manner (0-150ng/ml). Metrics of placental health/function, including GLUT-4 expression/regulation, were assessed. Results: 1) Active women demonstrated an elevation in circulating SPARC compared to non-active women (86±19pg/ml vs. 52±18pg/ml, p=0.0001). 2) Explants treated with SPARC at 100ng/ml demonstrated improved invasion, with improved maximum outgrowth distance (N=3; p=0.0219). Conclusion: SPARC is a myokine that is elevated in the circulation of active pregnant women and is associated with improved placental invasion, suggesting a possible role of SPARC in placentation.

Background: It is well established throughout the literature that regularly engaging in physical activity throughout pregnancy is associated with optimized health outcomes for both the mother and the fetus. The mediators and mechanistic pathways through which these observed exercise-induced outcomes are achieved are largely unknown. This thesis attempts to address this gap in knowledge. Methods: The objective of the first study was to develop an exercise protocol based on the recommendations from the ‘2019 Canadian guideline for physical activity throughout pregnancy’ and to subsequently evaluate the myokine response post-exercise. Pregnant (n=13) and non-pregnant (n=17) women performed a moderate-intensity bout of treadmill walking following which pre- and post-exercise serum for a panel of ten well-characterized myokines was analyzed. The objective of the second study was to evaluate whether acute and/or chronic exercise elicited changes in metrics of placental growth and development – thereby proposing possible mechanisms through which physical activity may be conferring health benefits to the fetus. Serum (pre- and post-exercise) collected from the first study was used to treat placental cell lines to assess the effect of acute exercise on cellular proliferation as well as nutrient transporter (GLUT1, SNAT1, FATP4) expression and localization. Term placental tissue collected from active (n=10) and non-active (n=10) participants in the PLACENTA study were used to evaluate the role of chronic exercise on changes in nutrient transporter (GLUT1, SNAT1, FATP4) expression and localization. Results: Pregnant women from the first study exhibited higher levels of four myokines post- versus pre-exercise: FGF21, EPO, BDNF and IL-15. As for the second study, BeWo cell lines treated with serum collected from pregnant women yielded higher GLUT1 expression compared to non-pregnant serum, independently of exercise. Lastly, FATP4 expression was found to be higher in term placentas of active compared to non-active pregnant women. Conclusion: This thesis identified four myokines that are elevated in the serum of pregnant women following a bout of acute exercise. The role of these myokines in pregnancy remains to be elucidated. Further, chronic and acute exercise are shown to alter expression of key placental macronutrient transporters.

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A growing body of research has emerged about effective treatments for postpartum depression, specifically how the internet could become a pivotal and vital option for women with postpartum symptoms. With that in mind, the purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate whether women suffering from postpartum depression preferred traditional therapy treatment or internet therapy treatment. The nonexperimental survey design was used to assess differences between groups related to stigma, satisfaction with treatment, and perceived quality of treatment received. Data collected from a sample of 78 adult females, who had previously received postpartum depression therapy treatment, indicated there was no difference experienced between the treatment modalities. Results were calculated using an independent sample t-test, noninferiority design, and it was determined that participants perceived no difference in their experience of stigma, treatment satisfaction, and perception of credibility and quality between the two therapy modalities. This study adds to the growing body of literature that suggests internet therapy may be a viable option for some women. The results encourage positive social change in that psychologists may advance clinical practice through incorporating technology into their treatment plans, thereby benefiting women who suffer from this condition and who may not be able to readily access a therapist's office on a weekly basis.

Thesis (M Med.(Family Medicine))--University of Limpopo, 2008. / Objective: To determine what proportion of pregnant women attending antenatal care in Mecklenburg Hospital eat soil. Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Mecklenburg Hospital. Results: A total 273 pregnant women participated in the study, of which 85% eat soil. The majority (74%) were single, mean age of 26 years. About seventy-eight percent had secondary education. Most of the women were unemployed. The majority of women believed that soil eating gives energy, taste nice, makes women feel strong, and makes stomach feel full. The other reason given by these women is that soil eating protects unborn baby from poison, gives nutrients to unborn baby, prevent prolonged labor, stops morning sickness. Conclusion: We conclude that the majority of pregnant women seen at Mecklenburg Hospital eat soil. There was not direct relationship between education level and nutritional reasons for eating soil. Furthermore, fetal and maternal reasons for eating soil were not associated with education level.

Existing research suggests that childbirth may be a significant trigger of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the postpartum period. While literature presents important results regarding the prevalence and risk factors of postpartum PTSD, several gaps remain. The current study examined the factor structure of perinatal PTSD by comparing two supported structures of PTSD. Additionally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine whether subjective birthing experiences and objective childbirth characteristics mediated the relationship between psychosocial variables (history of trauma, fear of childbirth, and social support) and postpartum PTSD. Women were recruited during pregnancy from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Symptoms of PTSD, OCD, and depression, as well as risk factors for postpartum PTSD were measured at pregnancy, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postpartum. Additionally, structured clinical interviews were conducted to assess for depression, PTSD, OCD, and mania. Five factor structures were examined using confirmatory factor analysis, including two four factor models with correlated latent factors, two four factor hierarchical models, and a unidimensional model. All models resulted in adequate global fit and excellent component fit. The most parsimonious model, the unidimensional model was retained. The SEM showed that subjective perceptions of childbirth mediated the relationship between fear of childbirth and postpartum PTSD at 4 weeks postpartum. At 8 weeks postpartum, objective childbirth characteristics mediated the relationship between fear of childbirth and postpartum PTSD and there was a direct relationship between fear of childbirth and postpartum PTSD. The current study supports a hierarchical or unidimensional structure of PTSD in perinatal samples emphasizing the importance of a higher-order, shared dimension of PTSD symptoms. It further emphasizes the importance of fear of childbirth and both subjective and objective birthing experiences in predicting postpartum psychopathology. Future research should examine these symptoms and risk factors in a more diverse and at-risk sample. Additionally, accurate assessments, and influential interventions for postpartum PTSD should be further examined.

No description available.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the role of social support in helping adolescent Māori mothers cope with pregnancy, birth and motherhood, with a particular emphasis on its role in enabling them to continue at school. The aim of this research is to understand and make sense of these experiences and to perhaps identify gaps within an individual's social network. The analysis and methodology of the research was underpinned by a community psychology framework. Nine interviews were conducted with young Māori women who had become pregnant and continued with their pregnancy, all before the age of 20. The in depth interviews included questions focusing on the young women learning of pregnancy, the pregnancy, birth, caring for their child and their experiences with education and future plans. Negative experiences were usually those which involved unsupportive people. Positive interactions were those where support, of all types, was offered and useful to my participants and their children. Education was highlighted as the most effective way of providing a better life for adolescent mothers and their children. The research highlights the importance of social support and the continuation of education. Combining the efforts of positive social networks and social support services can improve the lives of adolescent Māori mothers and their children.