Screening and Brief Interventions for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Among Pregnant Women Attending Midwife Obstetric Units in Cape Town, South Africa: A Qualitative Study of the Views of Health Care Professionals

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petal Petersen Williams ◽  
Zaino Petersen ◽  
Katherine Sorsdahl ◽  
Catherine Mathews ◽  
Katherine Everett-Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Brief Interventions

Drug Use by Pregnant Women

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda C. Fentiman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Substance Use And Abuse ◽  
Weak Evidence

This chapter examines the use of drugs—both legal and illegal–by pregnant women, noting increased medical and legal supervision of pregnancy and women’s substance use and abuse. Many states require health care professionals to report pregnant women who admit to, or are suspected of, using alcohol or other drugs. The result can be involuntary detention commitment for “treatment.” Women have been prosecuted for homicide after they suffer a stillbirth despite weak evidence that the stillbirth was caused by drug use. Prosecution of these women is counterproductive, because it drives pregnant drug users underground, away from both prenatal care and drug treatment.

Maternal Impressions of the New 2019 Canadian Food Guide Snapshot

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Palak Patel ◽  
Cynthia Mannion
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Dietary Changes ◽  
Dietary Behaviours

This qualitative study explored the impressions of pregnant Canadian women toward Canada’s Food Guide (CFG) snapshot released in January 2019. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 physically active pregnant women. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: (i) pregnancy changes what I eat; (ii) what is healthy to me? and (iii) a connection with people and food. Pregnancy was the primary factor influencing dietary changes, and messages in the snapshot reinforced some dietary behaviours that participants had already incorporated. Participants wanted information specific to pregnancy but were not aware of available resources pertaining to nutrition on existing websites. Dietitians and other health care professionals should take steps to raise awareness of and ensure wider dissemination of reliable resources on healthy eating during pregnancy including Canada’s Food Guide website.

scholarly journals A mixed reception: perceptions of pregnant adolescents’ experiences with health care workers in Cape Town, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronel Sewpaul ◽  
Rik Crutzen ◽  
Natisha Dukhi ◽  
Derrick Sekgala ◽  
Priscilla Reddy
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Pregnant Adolescents ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Antenatal Clinics ◽  
Antenatal Services

Abstract Background Maternal mortality among adolescent mothers in South Africa is higher than many middle-income countries. This is largely attributable to conditions that can be prevented or managed by high quality antenatal care. The way in which pregnant adolescents are treated at antenatal clinics influences their timely utilization of antenatal services. This qualitative study reports on the experiences of pregnant adolescents with health care workers when accessing antenatal care. Methods Pregnant girls aged 13–19 (n = 19) who attended public health care facilities that provide Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) services in Cape Town, South Africa were recruited. Four face to face in-depth interviews and four mini focus group discussions were undertaken, facilitated by a topic guide. Thematic analyses were used to analyse the data. Results Experiences that reinforce antenatal attendance, such as respectful and supportive treatment, were outweighed by negative experiences, such as victimization; discrimination against being pregnant at a young age; experiencing disregard and exclusion; inadequate provision of information about pregnancy, health and childbirth; clinic attendance discouragement; and mental health turmoil. Conclusions There is evidence of a discordant relationship between the health care workers and the pregnant adolescents. Adolescents feel mistreated and discriminated against by the health care workers, which in turn discourages their attendance at antenatal clinics. Maternal health care workers need to receive support and regular training on the provision of youth friendly antenatal care and be regularly evaluated, to promote the provision of fair and high quality antenatal services for adolescent girls.

scholarly journals Exercise Counseling in Pregnancy: Do Women Perceive Receiving the Information They Need?

2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762199185
Author(s):  
Connor Evins ◽  
Jasmine Dennis ◽  
Karson Mostert ◽  
Shiv Patel ◽  
David Enyart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Exercise Frequency ◽  
Exercise Counseling ◽  
Care Survey ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Disproportionate Number ◽  
Exercise During Pregnancy

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women exercise throughout pregnancy unless they have a condition-related contraindication. This study’s purpose was to determine if pregnant women perceive receiving exercise counseling by their providers with details of frequency, intensity, type, and time (FITT principle). Women in 2 postpartum care units of a large health care system were invited to complete a voluntary, anonymous survey regarding whether they received exercise counseling during their prenatal care. Survey results were descriptively reported, stratified by demographic variables, and analyzed using Fisher’s exact tests. Of 224 postpartum women surveyed, 130 (58.0%) perceived receiving exercise counseling during pregnancy; 119 (91.5%) did not recall receiving counseling on exercise frequency. Though 165 (73.6%) exercised before becoming pregnant, 64 (38.8%) ceased exercise during pregnancy. Eighty-eight (39.3%) received advice from other sources/non–health care professionals. Privately insured women reported receiving exercise counseling at a higher rate (70.1%) than those on Medicaid (44.8%) or uninsured (40.0%; P = .004). A disproportionate number of pregnant women perceived not receiving adequate prenatal exercise counseling or received incomplete counseling. Women at a socioeconomic disadvantage may be vulnerable. As social determinants of health, structural barriers, and socioeconomic status likely contribute, women may benefit from more targeted inclusive and equitable messaging.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document