Dataset Information

Prevalence and correlates of maternal early stimulation behaviors during pregnancy in northern Ghana: a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Per UNICEF's Nurturing Care Framework, early childhood development (ECD) begins during pregnancy and many lower-resource settings need data to inform their programs for optimal child development. The maternal-fetal relationship can be partly examined via a series of bonding activities called early stimulation behaviors (ESB). This study describes early stimulation behaviors and the associated correlates among pregnant women in Ghana.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from a cluster-randomized trial in two districts of Northern Ghana. A total of 374 pregnant women were enrolled at baseline and administered a pre-intervention survey. Communication-related early stimulation behaviors was the primary outcome which was evaluated using three maternal-fetal bonding activities; did the woman self-report touching and/or talking, singing, and/or talking about family to her belly. A generalized estimating equation modified Poisson model was used for the bivariate and multivariable analysis.

Results

About half of the participants reported performing communication-related ESB during pregnancy frequently or sometimes. Bivariate analysis revealed that negative life experiences including higher rates of emotional, physical and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) and having moderate to severe depressive symptoms were associated with women performing early stimulation behaviors more often. In the multivariable model, physical intimate partner violence remained significantly associated with early stimulation behaviors.

Conclusion

Research on early stimulation behaviors is still in a nascent phase. It is unclear why our results revealed an association between intimate partner violence and early stimulation behaviors; this could reflect a coping mechanism for the expectant mother. Further research is needed to better understand this association and explore potential long-term impacts of early stimulation behaviors during pregnancy on child development.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials # NCT03665246 , August 29, 2018.

SUBMITTER: Mackness J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7784360 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Prevalence and correlates of maternal early stimulation behaviors during pregnancy in northern Ghana: a cross-sectional survey.

Mackness Jessica J Gallis John A JA Owusu Raymond Kofi RK Ali Mohammed M Abubakr-Bibilazu Safiyatu S Adam Haliq H Aborigo Raymond R Awoonor-Williams John Koku JK Lillie Margaret M McEwan Elena E Hembling John J Vasudevan Lavanya L Baumgartner Joy Noel JN

BMC pregnancy and childbirth 20210104 1

<h4>Background</h4>Per UNICEF's Nurturing Care Framework, early childhood development (ECD) begins during pregnancy and many lower-resource settings need data to inform their programs for optimal child development. The maternal-fetal relationship can be partly examined via a series of bonding activities called early stimulation behaviors (ESB). This study describes early stimulation behaviors and the associated correlates among pregnant women in Ghana.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional study u ...[more]

PMID: 33397319

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Project description:ObjectivesWeight at birth is usually considered as an indicator of the health status of a given society. As a result this study was designed to investigate the association between birth weight and maternal factors such as gestational weight gain, pre-pregnancy BMI and socio-economic status in Northern Ghana.MethodsThe study was a facility-based cross-sectional survey conducted in two districts in the Northern region of Ghana. These districts were purposively sampled to represent a mix of urban, peri-urban and rural population. The current study included 419 mother-infant pairs who delivered at term (37-42 weeks). Mother's height, pre-pregnancy weight and weight changes were generated from the antenatal records. Questionnaires were administered to establish socio-economic and demographic information of respondents. Maternal factors associated with birth weight were examined using multiple and univariate regressions.ResultsThe mothers were generally well nourished before conception (Underweight 3.82%, Normal 57.76%, Overweight 25.06% and Obesity 13.37%) but approximately half of them could not gain adequate weight according to Institute of Medicine recommendations (Low weight gain 49.64%, Adequate weight gain 42.96% and Excessive weight gain 7.40%). Infants whose mothers had excess weight gain were 431g (95% CI 18-444) heavier compared to those whose mothers gained normal weight, while those whose mothers gained less were 479g (95% CI -682- (-276) lighter. Infants of mothers who were overweight and obese before conception were 246g (95% CI 87-405) and 595g (95% CI 375-815) respectively heavier than those of normal mothers, whereas those whose mothers were underweight were 305g (95% CI -565 -(-44) lighter. The mean birth weight observed was 2.98 ± 0.68 kg.ConclusionOur findings show that pre-pregnancy body mass index and weight gain during pregnancy influence birth weight. Therefore, emphasis should be placed on counseling and assisting pregnant women to stay within the recommended weight gain ranges.

Project description:BackgroundAdolescent pregnancy and motherhood have been linked to several factors stemming from social, cultural and to a large extent economic issues. This study examined the socio-economic factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and motherhood in Ghana.DesignThis was a secondary analysis of the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey, which was a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. Data from 4785 adolescents aged between 15-19 years were included in the analysis. Adolescent pregnancy was defined as adolescents who have ever been pregnant, whiles adolescent motherhood was defined as adolescents who have ever given birth. Weighted logistic regression was used to assess the association between the socio-economic variables and adolescent pregnancy and motherhood.ResultsOf the 25062 women aged between 15 and 49 years included in the 2017 maternal health survey, 4785 (19.1%) were adolescents between 15-19 years. Adolescent pregnancy was reported in 14.6% (CI:13.2% -16.1%) of the respondents, whereas 11.8% (CI: 10.5% -13.1%) of the respondents had ever given birth. In the multivariate regression analysis, zone (p<0.001), wealth index (p<0.001), age (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001) and level of education (p<0.001) were all significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy and motherhood. The odds of pregnancy and motherhood were significantly higher in the Middle and Coastal zones (p<0.001), and among older adolescents (p<0.001). However, the odds of pregnancy and motherhood was significantly lower among adolescents from households with the highest wealth index (p<0.001), among those who were never married (p<0.001) and among adolescents who had secondary/higher education (p<0.001).ConclusionSeveral socio-economic variables including education, household wealth, marital status and zone of residence were significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy and adolescent motherhood. Sexual and reproductive health education should be intensified among these populations. Adolescent friendly corners should be made available and accessible to all adolescents in Ghana irrespective of where they live or their age.

Project description:BackgroundNeonatal mortality contributes about 47% of child mortality globally and over 50% of under-5 deaths in Ghana. There is limited population level analysis done in Ghana on predictors of neonatal mortality.ObjectivesThe objective of the study was to examine the predictors of neonatal mortality in Ghana.MethodThis study utilizes secondary data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey (GMHS). The GMHS survey focuses on population and household characteristics, health, nutrition, and lifestyle with particular emphasis on topics that affect the lives of newborns and women, including mortality levels, fertility preferences and family planning methods. A total of 10,624 respondents were included in the study after data cleaning. Descriptive statistical techniques were used to describe important background characteristics of the women and Pearson's Chi-squares (χ2) test used to assess association between the outcome (neonatal death) and independent variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to estimate odd ratios and potential confounders controlled. Confidence level was held at 95%, and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data analysis was done using STATA 15.ResultsThe prevalence of neonatal mortality was 18 per 1000 live births. ANC attendance, sex of baby, and skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth were predictors of neonatal mortality. Women with at least one ANC visit were less likely to experience neonatal mortality as compared to women with no ANC visit prior to delivery (AOR = 0.11; CI = 0.02-0.56, p = 0.01). Girls were less likely (AOR = 0.68; CI = 0.47-0.98; p = 0.03) to die during the neonatal period as compared to boys. Neonates who were not put skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth were 2.6 times more likely to die within the neonatal period than those who were put skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth (AOR = 2.59; CI = 1.75-3.83, p = 0.00).ConclusionNeonatal mortality remains a public health concern in Ghana, with an estimated rate of 18 deaths per 1,000 live births. Maternal and neonatal factors such as the sex of the newborn, the number of antenatal care visits, and skin-to-skin contact between the newborn and mother immediately after birth are the predictors of neonatal mortality in Ghana.

Project description:BackgroundAdequate maternal nutrition is a key factor for achieving good pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, inadequate dietary intake during pregnancy is considered an important contributor to maternal malnutrition in developing countries. Although some studies have examined the effect of the entire diet on birth outcome, most studies have been very narrow because they considered the effect of single nutrient. The single nutrient approach is a major setback because usually several nutrient deficiencies are more likely to occur than single deficiencies especially in low-income settings.ObjectivesThe main aim of this study was to investigate the association between maternal dietary patterns, and practices and birth weight in Northern Ghana.Participant settingsA facility-based cross-sectional survey was performed in two districts in the Northern Region of Ghana. The selected districts were the Tamale Metropolis and Savelugu-Nanton District. These districts were purposively sampled to represent a mix of urban, peri-urban and rural populations, therefore ensuring that the distribution in social groups of the study population was similar to the entire population of the region. In all, 578 mothers who were drawing antenatal and postnatal care services were interviewed using a questionnaire, which asked the mothers about their frequency of consumption of individual foods per week since they became pregnant or when they were pregnant.Statistical analysisWe determined dietary patterns by applying a factor analysis with a varimax rotation using STATA. Multivariate analysis was used to establish association between maternal factors and dietary patterns. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between dietary practices and patterns and birth weight.ResultsWomen who ate outside the home twice a week (OR = 1.6 & 95% CI; 1.1-2.45, P; 0.017) and those who practiced 'pica' (OR = 1.7 & 95% CI; 1.16-2.75, P; 0.008) had increased odds for low birth. Two dietary patterns were identified-namely 'health conscious' and 'non-health conscious'. Health conscious diet (OR = 0.23 95% CI 0.12-0.45 per standard deviation change in scores, P; <0.0001) and dietary diversity score (OR = 0.10 95% CI 0.04-0.13 per standard deviation change in scores, P; <0.0001) showed a protective effect for low birth weight respectively after adjusting for gestational age.ConclusionMothers who practiced good nutrition such as consuming foods across and within the various food groups were less likely to have low birth weight babies. Our findings buttress the importance of optimal nutrition during pregnancy.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Sleep problems are widespread among college students around the globe, especially in China. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of poor sleep quality and identify associated factors among college students in Jilin Province, China. METHODS:A total of 6284 participants were completely collected by stratified cluster sampling in 2016. Information on basic demographics, lifestyles, social and family support, and subjective sleep quality was collected by questionnaire. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a self-administered questionnaire used to assess sleep for one month. RESULTS:1951 (31.0%) participants were classified into poor sleep quality group, as defined by a PSQI score?>?5. Males scored significantly higher than females on sleep duration and use of sleep medication, while females scored significantly higher than males on PSQI total and sleep disturbances. The results of the multivariate logistic regression show the following factors to be significant predictors of poor sleep quality: freshman (OR?=?1.523, 95% CI: 1.168-1.987), alcohol use (OR?=?1.634, 1.425-1.874), gambling behaviors (OR?=?1.167, 95% CI: 1.005-1.356), exercised for more than 30?min a week on less than one day (OR?=?1.234, 95% CI: 1.016-1.498), the feelings of satisfied with parental love (OR?=?1.849, 95% CI: 1.244-2.749), and harmonious/neutral relationship with classmates (OR?=?2.206, 95% CI: 1.312-3.708; OR?=?1.700, 95% CI: 1.414-2.045),. No study pressure of this academic year (OR?=?0.210, 95% CI: 0.159-0.276), no truancy in the past month (OR?=?0.510, 95% CI: 0.354-0.735), never had self-injurious behaviors (OR?=?0.413, 95% CI: 0.245-0.698), very harmonious family relationship (OR?=?0.377, 95% CI: 0.219-0.650), frequent communication with parents (OR?=?0.524, 95% CI: 0.312-0.880), the feelings of satisfied with maternal love (OR?=?0.432, 95% CI: 0.257-0.725), and frequent excursions to gymnasium (OR?=?0.770, 95% CI: 0.659-0.899) were the protective factors. CONCLUSIONS:The implication of the present study may be that college students must be made aware of the consequences of inadequate sleep quality and risk factors could be improved if students tried to change their behavior and subjective consciousness.

Dataset Information

Prevalence and correlates of maternal early stimulation behaviors during pregnancy in northern Ghana: a cross-sectional survey.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

Publications

Prevalence and correlates of maternal early stimulation behaviors during pregnancy in northern Ghana: a cross-sectional survey.

Similar Datasets

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