This study was carried out as part of efforts to better understand the factors that impinge on childbirth service delivery and to develop guidelines to help improve the quality and safety of childbirth services in Ghana. The objectives were to: assess the factors that influence client-centredness; explore women’s and health professional’s views of and experiences with client-centred childbirth services; and develop guidelines to assist improve client-centred childbirth services in hospitals. The fixed mixed methods design comprising both quantitative and qualitative methods was employed. Structured questionnaire and exit interviews were used to gather data from 754 women who delivered in the hospitals. Furthermore, in-depth interviews were used to examine the experiences of women, doctors and midwives. STATA MP Version 13 was used to analyse the data by generating frequencies, chi-square and binary logistic regression results. Qualitative data analysis was analysed through data reduction, data display and generation of themes and categories. The process of developing the guidelines comprised: drafting based on the findings of the study and additional literature review, and a number of reviews by senior health professionls to build consesnsus on the content. With a response rate of 97.8%, the results indicated average performance. A number of the items examined under demographic characteristics, ante-natal, labour and postnatal care were significantly associated with the experience of excellent client-centred care. These included: number of weeks pregnant before delivery; health professional who assisted with delivery; mode of delivery; labour pain management; and length of stay after delivery. On the whole, the findings of the quantitative study were support by that of the structured interviews. Most of the themes from in-depth interviews with women were had to do with the relationship between health care provider and clients. Issues of support during childbirth; decision-making and informed choice; and continuity were raised. Themes deduced from the doctors’ and midwives’ interviews demonstrated a fair understanding of principles of client-centred care and delineated relational as well as client, health care worker and organisational factors that facilitate or limit effective implementation of client-centred care. The findings of the studies were used to develop guidelines to help improve services. It is recommended that the Ministry of Health, Ghana adopt the guidelines and provide the enabling environment for its effective implementation. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-07-06Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:56:27Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 carmo_mp_me_araca.pdf: 1035553 bytes, checksum: 409c6ef8b77a04f318a52d399f74a835 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A manifestação da Doença Periodontal durante a gestação, em conjunto com variáveis sócio-econômico-demográficas e de assistência à saúde, tem sido citadas como importantes fatores de risco para o parto prematuro (PP) e recém-nascido de baixo peso (BP). Através de ações que intensificam a atenção básica em saúde, o Programa Saúde da Família (PSF) tem adotado como princípio norteador a intervenção nos fatores que colocam em risco a saúde da população. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a condição periodontal de gestantes, analisar a influência de variáveis sócio-econômicas e a existência do PSF na prevalência da doença periodontal e verificar a associação desta condição e do PSF com a prevalência de PP e BP. Trata-se de estudo de coorte, abrangendo gestantes e crianças, desenvolvido em dois municípios do Estado de São Paulo, sendo um deles com PSF implantado. Foram realizados exames bucais, utilizando-se o Índice Periodontal Comunitário (IPC) e o de Perda de Inserção Periodontal (PIP) e entrevistas semi-estruturadas com as gestantes (n=119) cadastradas nos serviços públicos de saúde de ambos os municípios e o acompanhamento das mesmas até o nascimento da criança. Os resultados foram verificados por meio de análises estatísticas bivariadas (α=0,05). A idade média foi 24,7 anos; 61,4% pertenciam à raça negra/parda e 38,7% branca. A maioria (65,5%) recebia entre 2-3 salários mínimos. Somente 35,3% completaram o ensino médio. Apenas 8% das pacientes examinadas mostraram periodonto saudável (IPC=0). Sangramento e cálculo (IPC=1-2) foram observados em 66% do total, bolsas periodontais rasas em 16% e profundas em 4%, enquanto a perda de inserção periodontal superior a 4mm foi verificada em 24%. A gengivite foi a alteração periodontal mais recorrente neste grupo, visto que na gestação a mulher está mais susceptível... / The disease‟s appearing during pregnancy, along with other socio-economic-demographical varieties and health care, has been pointed out as the main risk factor to premature birth (PB) and underweight newborns (UN). Through actions that reinforce basic health care and assistance, the Health Family Program (HFP) has made an intervention in those factors which may threat health as a whole. The aims of this work were to assess the pregnant women‟s periodontal conditions, analyze socio-economical varieties influences and the existence of HFP in the periodontal disease prevalence, besides checking the possible relation to this condition and PB and UN prevalence. The present is a study comprehending pregnant women and children, held in two cities of São Paulo State. In one city, the HFP is on duty. Odontological exams were done having the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and the Periodontal Insertion Loss (PIL) as references, in addition to interviews with the mothers. There was continuous patients‟ aid on pregnant women registered in health programs in both cities until child‟s birth. Results were evaluated through bivaried statistical analyzes (α=0.05). The average age was 24,7 years old; 61,4% belonging to black/yellow race and 38,7% to the white one. Most of them (65,5%) made between 2-3 minimum wages a month. Only 35,5% had their high-school degree. Only 8% of the examined patients presented healthy paradenitum (CPI=0). Bleeding and calculus (CPI=1-2) were observed in 66% of the total, shallow periodontal pockets in 16% and deep ones in 4%, while the four-mm superior periodontal insertion loss was observed in 24%. Gingivitis was the most recurrent periodontal alteration in this group, once during the pregnancy period women are more susceptible to periodontal inflammations. Premature children were observed in 15,8% and underweight ones in 10,5% of the population... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) is a way of training or upgrading the knowledge and skills of all nurses, midwives and doctors involved in antenatal care at the primary health care level so that the minimum care can be provided effectively. This study was conducted to investigate the implementation of the BANC program by midwives in the Mdantsane clinics during February 2009. Methods: A descriptive study design was undertaken targeting midwives providing antenatal care to pregnant women, in 14 clinics of Mdantsane. Data was collected from 25 midwives in the clinics, and from 140 ANC cards of women attending ANC on the day of their visit to the clinic. Results: The majority of midwives providing BANC in Mdantsane clinics were not trained in BANC. There were 10 trained midwives and 15 not yet trained. A total of twenty five midwives were involved in the study. The number of visits according to the BANC schedule was well known by the midwives in the study. The content of the visits was well known for the first visit, but for subsequent visits, the participating midwives could not state exactly what they do on these visits. They perceived BANC as something beneficial for both midwives and pregnant women with 24 of the participating midwives rating BANC as advantageous. In completing an ANC card, the midwives scored between 48 percent and 100 percent. Under examination, they scored between 52 percent and 100 percent. Lastly on interpretation and decision making, they scored between 0 percent and 92 percent. This could have troubling consequences for the health status of the mother and baby. Weaknesses in providing antenatal care identified in the study included participating midwives failing to fill in the last normal menstrual period (LNMP) and the estimated date of delivery (EDD), which was a worrying observation. Plotting of the gestational age at first visit was also not carried out well as only 47 percent of the midwives in the study did this, meaning that there would be a miscalculation of the gestational age thereafter throughout the pregnancies. The body mass index (BMI) was not calculated as the maternal height and weight were not written on the ANC card. This should be completed in order to check the nutritional status of the pregnant woman to help supplement, if malnourished, and educate on diet, if overweight. Only 17 percent of the midwives in the study plotted the foetal presentation. Failure to plot foetal presentation could lead to complications during delivery because women with abnormal presentations could end up delivering in a clinic instead of the hospital.Conclusion: This study showed that even though midwives are implementing BANC among pregnant women, it is not being carried out correctly. Therefore the programme will not be as beneficial as it would be if put into practice correctly. This is highlighted by the lack of knowledge from the untrained midwives regarding the content of care on subsequent visits. Thus there is an urgent need for BANC training to be conducted and monitored at various sites.

Department of Public Health / MPH

1 ABSTRACT The issue of births outside a medical facility is currently a controversial topic between specialists as well as in the public sector. While the specialists concur in refusing home births, the society is divided. There are voices that refuse home births but there are also plenty of people who support the right of mothers to give birth outside of a medical facility. Very sensitive topic is the legal and ethical aspects of the protection of unborn children and the issue of a safely conducted delivery. In the last decades, the life value of an unborn child has been seen as an ethical problem. The right to life is one of the fundamental human rights, which is enshrined in the constitutional system of the Czech Republic and also in the international human rights conventions. Because there are different opinions regarding this issue, it is necessary to establish a view that is widely accepted so that legal standards can be approved provided that the opinions of minorities are being respected. The main objective of this presented dissertation was to ascertain why are people losing confidence in a doctor's role during delivery and what is the reason for some of the mothers being unsatisfied with current institutional system of obstetrics. On the basis of these factual findings, which emerged during the...

This study sought to determine if ANC and PMTCT services are utilized within the first trimester of pregnancy by the women in East Ekurhuleni sub-district. Quantitative descriptive research was conducted on 390 eligible pregnant women and data collection was done using structured questionnaires. The results indicated that women start ANC late despite their knowledge of first trimester as the best time to start ANC. Actions that would motivate them to start ANC early were explored and barriers were identified. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Problématique : Une femme enceinte sur deux est sédentaire au Québec. La sédentarité a des effets néfastes pour la santé des femmes enceintes et peut entraîner des conditions nuisibles au fœtus. Pourtant, l'activité physique est bénéfique pour la femme enceinte et le fœtus. But : Ce projet pilote avait pour objectif d’évaluer l’acceptabilité et la faisabilité du déroulement de l’étude et d’une intervention de promotion de l’activité physique auprès de femmes enceintes et d’estimer les effets sur leur sentiment d’auto-efficacité perçue et sur leur pratique d’activité physique. Méthode : Le devis consistait en une étude pilote composée d’un seul groupe avec un échantillonnage non-probabiliste de convenance. Les questionnaires du pré-test étaient remplis après le premier cours prénatal. Après le deuxième cours prénatal, l’intervention était administrée. Après le troisième cours prénatal, les questionnaires du post-test étaient remplis. Résultats : Dix femmes ont reçu l’intervention et ont complété le post-test pour un taux de 100% en ce qui a trait à la faisabilité de l’étude. L’analyse des données révèle qu’il n’y a pas de différence significative entre les moyennes obtenues lors du pré-test et le post-test en ce qui a trait aux deux sous-échelles de l’auto-efficacité (p=0.09 et 0.20) ainsi que celles de la pratique d’activité physique (p=0.15). Conclusion : L'acceptabilité et la faisabilité du déroulement de l’étude et de l’intervention sont soutenues par ce pilote. Un essai clinique randomisé à plus large échelle à l’aide d’une mesure objective en ce qui a trait à la mesure de l’activité physique est recommandé. / Problem: One out of two pregnant women in Quebec is sedentary. A sedentary lifestyle has negative effects on the health of pregnant women and can lead to harmful conditions for the fetus. However, physical activity offers many benefits for a pregnant woman and the fetus. Aim: The objective of this pilot project was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the conduct of the study and an intervention promoting physical activity among pregnant women and to estimate the effects on their feelings of self-efficacy and their practice of physical activity. Methodology: The design consisted of a pilot study with a single group with convenient non-probabilistic sampling. Pre-test questionnaires were filled out after the first prenatal class. After the second prenatal class, the intervention was conducted. After the third prenatal class, the post-test questionnaire was filled out. Results: Ten women received the intervention and completed the post-test for a 100% feasibility rate of this study. Analysis of the results revealed that there is no significant difference between the pre-test and post-test regarding the two subscales of self-efficacy (p=0.09 et 0.20) and the average practice of physical activity (p=0.15). Conclusion: The acceptability and feasibility of course of the study and intervention are supported by this pilot. A randomized clinical trial on a larger scale with objective measures is recommended.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age worldwide. It is also a major contributor to infant mortality. The effective application of prevention of mother-to-child transmission strategies effectively reduces the risk of mother-to-child transmission. The intent of this study was to determine the availability and accessibility of the PMTCT programme in one district of the North West Province of South Africa. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was utilised to gain better understanding of the experiences of both the HIV positive pregnant women and the Health Care Workers regarding the availability and access to the PMTCT programme. The study population consisted of HIV positive pregnant women between 18 and 49 years of age and Health Care Workers aged between 21 to 60 years of age. The non-probability purposive sampling technique was utilised to identify potential research participants. Data were collected by means of individual semi-structured interviews with HIV positive pregnant women and focus group discussions with the Health Care Workers. Adherence to Tesch’s eight descriptive methods was utilised as the primary form of data analysis, organisation and interpretation. The findings of the study revealed that availability and accessibility of PMTCT services are still problematic. Distance, waiting periods, and long queues were among the few mentioned as problematic. There were also few positives such as communication, counseling and health education. Strategies for facilitation of the availability and accessibility of the PMTCT programme were developed based on the findings. Themes emerged from the HIV positive pregnant women’s data included: acceptance of one’s sero positive status, maternal concerns, stressors about HIV status, as well as lack and shortage of resources and support by health care professionals and family; while emerging themes from the Health Care Workers included: fear of disclosure by HIV positive pregnant women, child feeding, formal trainings and workshops on PMTCT programme, as well as lack and shortage of resources and loss to follow-up activities / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

BACKGROUND: Many women of reproductive age are employed in industries involving exposure to organic solvents. Animal toxicological studies and human case reports demonstrate that exposure to organic solvents can cause neuropsychological deficits in exposed offspring; however, there is limited data from prospective controlled human studies. OBJECTIVE: To compare neuropsychological functioning between children whose mothers were occupationally exposed to organic solvents during pregnancy with a non-exposed matched comparison group. METHODS: Participants were 48 women who had previously contacted the Motherisk Program in Toronto, Canada during pregnancy regarding occupational exposure to organic solvents and a matched comparison group of women with no known exposure to teratogens during pregnancy. Children (18 months to 8 years 11 months at time of study) were compared in areas of cognitive, language, motor, and behavioral functioning. RESULTS: Children whose mothers were exposed to organic solvents during pregnancy displayed a lower level of functioning when compared with their matched peers in areas of cognitive, language, motor, and behavioral domains. Although the scores on measures of behavioral functioning were not in the clinical range, the mothers of exposed children reported more challenging behavioral problems. In order to determine whether exposure predicted neuropsychological outcomes above and beyond maternal intellectual functioning, hierarchical regressions were run with maternal IQ and maternal education at Step 1and exposure status added at Step 2. In utero exposure to organic solvents predicted lower sores on global measures of Verbal IQ, receptive and expressive language scales above and beyond maternal intellectual functioning. Factors associated with higher levels of exposure (detecting odor, longer duration and total number of toxicity symptoms) was associated with poorer outcome on behavioral and motor functioning tests. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the exposed mothers experienced minimal symptoms of toxicity, detrimental effects were still evident in their offspring. Current safety standards for exposure were designed for adults and need to be reevaluated. Further studies addressing exposure to specific organic solvents, dose, and gestational timing of exposure are warranted.

BACKGROUND: Many women of reproductive age are employed in industries involving exposure to organic solvents. Animal toxicological studies and human case reports demonstrate that exposure to organic solvents can cause neuropsychological deficits in exposed offspring; however, there is limited data from prospective controlled human studies. OBJECTIVE: To compare neuropsychological functioning between children whose mothers were occupationally exposed to organic solvents during pregnancy with a non-exposed matched comparison group. METHODS: Participants were 48 women who had previously contacted the Motherisk Program in Toronto, Canada during pregnancy regarding occupational exposure to organic solvents and a matched comparison group of women with no known exposure to teratogens during pregnancy. Children (18 months to 8 years 11 months at time of study) were compared in areas of cognitive, language, motor, and behavioral functioning. RESULTS: Children whose mothers were exposed to organic solvents during pregnancy displayed a lower level of functioning when compared with their matched peers in areas of cognitive, language, motor, and behavioral domains. Although the scores on measures of behavioral functioning were not in the clinical range, the mothers of exposed children reported more challenging behavioral problems. In order to determine whether exposure predicted neuropsychological outcomes above and beyond maternal intellectual functioning, hierarchical regressions were run with maternal IQ and maternal education at Step 1and exposure status added at Step 2. In utero exposure to organic solvents predicted lower sores on global measures of Verbal IQ, receptive and expressive language scales above and beyond maternal intellectual functioning. Factors associated with higher levels of exposure (detecting odor, longer duration and total number of toxicity symptoms) was associated with poorer outcome on behavioral and motor functioning tests. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the exposed mothers experienced minimal symptoms of toxicity, detrimental effects were still evident in their offspring. Current safety standards for exposure were designed for adults and need to be reevaluated. Further studies addressing exposure to specific organic solvents, dose, and gestational timing of exposure are warranted.