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Special Issue "Maternal and Child's Health"

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A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Global and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2023 | Viewed by 4219

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jyu‐Lin Chen

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Guest Editor

School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Interests: technology-based intervention; obesity; chronic illness; immigrant health; nursing intervention
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Maternal health is key to improving the health of children. Parents, especially mothers, play an important role in guiding children and adolescents towards utilizing healthcare services and improving health. Women have always been influential in their family's healthcare decisions. For example, over three-quarters of mothers are responsible for choosing their children's provider, taking their children to appointments, and consenting to receive recommended care (Kaiser, 2018). In contrast, only one-fifth of fathers have been reported to complete the same tasks (Kaiser, 2018). Several studies have provided some insight into the impact of maternal health on children. For instance, studies have found that maternal physical and psychological health issues are associated with a high risk of physical and behavioral health issues in children (Logan et al., 2016; Rahman et al., 1993; Totskka et al., 2013). Improving the well-being of mothers is an essential factor in healthy children and families. This Special Issue calls for papers examining women's health and interventions that include mothers.

The goal of this Special Issue is to discuss maternal health and any aspects of children's health influenced by the mother, who plays an essential role during the development of her children. We hope to enhance the global understanding of these conditions by sharing knowledge about controversial areas in this field that are thus far incompletely understood.

We invite all colleagues researching topics related to the health of mothers and children to participate in this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Jyu‐Lin Chen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

maternal and child health
maternal health
service and outcomes
physical health
behavior health
maternal-health-focused interventions
risk perceptions
child obesity
pregnancy
health promotion
disease prevention

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Lessons Learned with a Triad of Stakeholder Advisory Boards: Working with Adolescents, Mothers, and Clinicians to Design the TRUST Study

Alexis Richards

Marissa Raymond-Flesch

Shana D. Hughes

Yinglan Zhou

and

Kimberly A. Koester

Children 2023, 10(3), 483; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030483 - 01 Mar 2023

Viewed by 382

Abstract

Optimal care for pediatric and adolescent patients is carried out under a triadic engagement model, whereby the patient, caregiver, and clinician work in collaboration. Seeking input from all triad members in the development and implementation of clinical trials and interventions may improve health outcomes for children and adolescents. Sufficient evidence demonstrating how to effectively engage stakeholders from all branches of this triadic model is lacking. We address this gap by describing the successes and challenges our team has encountered while convening advisory groups with adolescent patients, parent stakeholders, and their clinicians to assist in the development and deployment of a technology-based intervention to promote the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by increasing adolescent–clinician alone-time. Each stakeholder group contributed in unique and complementary ways. Working with advisors, our team aligned the priorities of each group with the goals of the research team. The results were improvements made in the content, design, and delivery of the TRUST intervention. While we were largely successful in the recruitment and engagement of adolescent patients and clinicians, we had less success with parents. Future research will need to explore additional strategies for recruitment and engagement of parents, particularly in rural, minority, and underserved communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child's Health)

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Open AccessArticle

Levels and Determinants of Antenatal Breastfeeding Attitudes among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

and

Children 2023, 10(2), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020275 - 31 Jan 2023

Viewed by 396

Abstract

Breastfeeding attitudes are strong predictors of breastfeeding behavior. Gaining a deeper understanding on the levels and determinants of antenatal breastfeeding attitudes is crucial. This cross-sectional study involved 124 pregnant women at a tertiary hospital in Hunan, China. A self-administered questionnaire, the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale, the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Breastfeeding Knowledge Questionnaire were assessed during their first-trimester, second-trimester, and third-trimester hospital visit. Multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the determinants of breastfeeding attitudes. The participants reported neutral (56.39 ± 5.69) levels of breastfeeding attitudes. The determinants of antenatal breastfeeding attitudes were other family members’ support for exclusive breastfeeding: moderate (β = 0.278, p < 0.05), depressive symptoms (β = −0.191, p < 0.05), and breastfeeding knowledge (β = 0.434, p < 0.001). The variables explained 33.9% (adjusted R²) of the total variation in breastfeeding attitudes scores (F = 4.507, p < 0.001). Namely, other family members’ support for EBF was a negative influence on positive breastfeeding attitudes. The women whose other family members were moderate of EBF had more positive attitudes toward breastfeeding compared to those whose other family members were very supportive of EBF. The depressive symptoms were negatively associated with positive breastfeeding attitudes, and lower levels of depressive symptoms were associated with higher levels of positive breastfeeding attitudes among pregnant women. Additionally, breastfeeding knowledge was positively associated with positive breastfeeding attitudes. The more knowledgeable about breastfeeding, the more positive the attitude towards breastfeeding. Health professionals should identify these modifiable factors that may contribute to poorer breastfeeding attitudes, which is useful in targeting promotions of breastfeeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child's Health)

Open AccessArticle

Learning from the Implementation of the Child Nutrition Program: A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Process

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Children 2022, 9(12), 1965; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9121965 - 14 Dec 2022

Viewed by 941

Abstract

Nutrition and feeding interventions are important for children’s growth and development. Holt International’s Child Nutrition Program (CNP) is a child nutrition and feeding intervention. This study aims to describe and explore the implementation of CNP in Mongolia and the Philippines using mixed methods including qualitative and quantitative data analysis. The analysis framework was guided by the WHO’s Monitoring the Building Blocks of Health Systems. Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted, transcribed, translated and coded. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Surveys (KAPS) and pre-/post-tests from routine program audit data were analyzed. Analysis of nutrition (Mongolia: 95% CI: 7.5-16.6 (p = < 0.0001), Philippines: 95% CI: 7.6-15.7 (p= < 0.0001)) and feeding (Mongolia: 95% CI: 11.7-23.9 (p = < 0.0001), Philippines: 95% CI: 6.6-16.9 (p = < 0.0001)) tests indicate improvement post-training in both countries. KAPS indicate changes in desired practices from pre-training to post-training. Thematic analysis of KIIs highlight essential components for program implementation and effectiveness, including strong leadership, buy-in, secure funding, reliable supply chains, training and adequate staffing. This evaluation of program implementation highlights successful strategies and challenges in implementing CNP to improve the health of children in Mongolia and the Philippines. Lessons learned from the implementation of CNP can inform growth of the program, scaling strategies and provide insights for similar interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child's Health)

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Open AccessArticle

Perceptions of Mothers about Support and Self-Efficacy in Breastfeeding: A Qualitative Study

Esther Gálvez-Adalia

Raquel Bartolomé-Gutiérrez

Carlos Berlanga-Macías

Beatriz Rodríguez-Martín

Irene Marcilla-Toribio

and

María Martínez-Andrés

Children 2022, 9(12), 1920; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9121920 - 08 Dec 2022

Viewed by 571

Abstract

Breastfeeding is a complex process influenced by different personal and social factors which will determine both the initiation and the resilience for its maintenance. The aim is to identify the beliefs and expectations of mothers concerning breastfeeding to determine the perception of their self-efficacy and the influence on the management of their babies’ feeding. A qualitative study through semi-structured interviews was carried out. The sample size was defined by the saturation criteria. Twenty-two women participated, eleven were from an urban environment and eleven were from a rural environment. Mothers’ knowledge of breastfeeding, their expectations of that process, their experience, and their strategies for overcoming problems associated with initiating, establishing, and continuing breastfeeding were influenced by the role of nurses and midwives in supporting their perception of self-efficacy. Likewise, maternity policies are important for the continuance of exclusive breastfeeding. This study shows the complexity of the initiation and establishment of breastfeeding and the existence of several social factors surrounding these moments. Furthermore, it demonstrates the importance and reference of nurses and midwives and the role of State maternity policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child's Health)

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Nutrition, Body Composition and Gestational Weight Gain on Low Birth Weight and Small for Gestational Age—A Cohort Study in an Indian Urban Slum

Raja Sriswan Mamidi

Santosh Kumar Banjara

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Children 2022, 9(10), 1460; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9101460 - 23 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1114

Abstract

Maternal nutritional status and care during pregnancy are essential for adequate birth weight. In this prospective cohort study (N = 1061) in an urban slum, we investigated the association of maternal anthropometry, body composition, gestational weight gain and dietary intakes with low birthweight (LBW, <2.5 kg). About one-third of the women were short (<150 cm), 35% were underweight (<45 kg), 23% suffered from chronic energy deficiency (CED, BMI < 18.5 kg/m²) and another 30% were overweight/obese. The mean age and BMI were 23 years and 21.7 kg/m², respectively, and haemoglobin was 10.73 g/dL. The mean birthweight (N = 605) was 2.81 ± 0.5 kg, and the average gestational age was 38 ± 2 weeks. About 15% of infants had LBW, and 48% were small for gestational age (SGA). Maternal body composition was assessed by skinfold thickness (SFT) in all trimesters. In the first trimester (N = 762), we found that mean fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM) and body fat percentage (% BF) were 38.86 kg, 11.43 kg and 21.55%, respectively. Low birthweight was significantly associated with preterm deliveries (p < 0.001) and less fat free mass (p = 0.02) in the third trimester. Among other factors were age (p = 0.017), maternal anthropometry (height: p = 0.031; weight: p = 0.059) and fewer antenatal check-ups (p = 0.037). Small size (SGA) was consistently associated with maternal bodyweight at all trimesters (term I, p = 0.013, term II, p = 0.003 and term III, p < 0.001), fat mass in the third trimester (p < 0.001) and maternal height (p = 0.003). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Child's Health)

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