scholarly journals Key Lessons and Impact of the Growing Healthy mHealth Program on Milk Feeding, Timing of Introduction of Solids, and Infant Growth: Quasi-Experimental Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel A Laws ◽  
Elizabeth A Denney-Wilson ◽  
Sarah Taki ◽  
Catherine G Russell ◽  
Miaobing Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Healthy Infant ◽  
Feeding Behaviors ◽  
Prevention Intervention ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Over Time

BACKGROUND The first year of life is an important window to initiate healthy infant feeding practices to promote healthy growth. Interventions delivered by mobile phone (mHealth) provide a novel approach for reaching parents; however, little is known about the effectiveness of mHealth for child obesity prevention. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of an mHealth obesity prevention intervention in terms of reach, acceptability, and impact on key infant feeding outcomes. METHODS A quasi-experimental study was conducted with an mHealth intervention group (Growing healthy) and a nonrandomized comparison group (Baby’s First Food). The intervention group received access to a free app and website containing information on infant feeding, sleep and settling, and general support for parents with infants aged 0 to 9 months. App-generated notifications directed parents to age-and feeding-specific content within the app. Both groups completed Web-based surveys when infants were less than 3 months old (T1), at 6 months of age (T2), and 9 months of age (T3). Survival analysis was used to examine the duration of any breastfeeding and formula introduction, and cox proportional hazard regression was performed to examine the hazard ratio for ceasing breast feeding between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for a range of child and parental factors was used to compare the exclusive breastfeeding, formula feeding behaviors, and timing of solid introduction between the 2 groups. Mixed effect polynomial regression models were performed to examine the group differences in growth trajectory from birth to T3. RESULTS A total of 909 parents initiated the enrollment process, and a final sample of 645 parents (Growing healthy=301, Baby’s First Food=344) met the eligibility criteria. Most mothers were Australian born and just under half had completed a university education. Retention of participants was high (80.3%, 518/645) in both groups. Most parents (226/260, 86.9%) downloaded and used the app; however, usage declined over time. There was a high level of satisfaction with the program, with 86.1% (143/166) reporting that they trusted the information in the app and 84.6% (170/201) claiming that they would recommend it to a friend. However, some technical problems were encountered with just over a quarter of parents reporting that the app failed to work at times. There were no significant differences between groups in any of the target behaviors. Growth trajectories also did not differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS An mHealth intervention using a smartphone app to promote healthy infant feeding behaviors is a feasible and acceptable mode for delivering obesity prevention intervention to parents; however, app usage declined over time. Learnings from this study will be used to further enhance the program so as to improve its potential for changing infant feeding behaviors.

scholarly journals Partnership among hospitals to reduce healthcare associated infections: a quasi-experimental study in Brazilian ICUs

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ladjane Santos Wolmer de Melo ◽  
Maria Verônica Monteiro de Abreu ◽  
Bernuarda Roberta de Oliveira Santos ◽  
Maria das Graças Washington Casimiro Carr ◽  
Maria Fernanda Aparecida Moura de Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Incidence Density ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Collaborative Project ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are relevant in developing countries where frequencies can be at least 3 times higher than in developed countries. The purpose of this research was to describe the intervention implemented in intensive care units (ICUs) to reduce HAIs through collaborative project and analyze the variation over 18 months in the incidence density (ID) of the three main HAIs: ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheter-related urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and also the length of stay and mortality in these ICUs. Methods A quasi-experimental study in five public adult clinical-surgical ICUs, to reduce HAIs, through interventions using the BTS-IHI “Improvement Model”, during 18 months. In the project, promoted by the Ministry of Health, Brazilian philanthropic hospitals certified for excellence (HE), those mostly private, certified as excellence and exempt from security contributions, regularly trained and monitored public hospitals in diagnostics, data collection and in developing cycles to improve quality and to prevent HAIs (bundles). In the analysis regarding the length of stay, mortality, the IDs of VAP, CLABSIs and CAUTIs over time, a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model was applied for continuous variables, using the constant correlation (exchangeable) between assessments over time. The model estimated the average difference (β coefficient of the model) of the measures analyzed during two periods: a period in the year 2017 (prior to implementing the project) and in the years 2018 and 2019 (during the project). Result A mean monthly reduction of 0.427 in VAP ID (p = 0.002) with 33.8% decrease at the end of the period and 0.351 in CAUTI ID (p = 0.009) with 45% final decrease. The mean monthly reduction of 0.252 for CLABSIs was not significant (p = 0.068). Length of stay and mortality rates had no significant variation. Conclusions Given the success in reducing VAP and CAUTIs in a few months of interventions, the achievement of the collaborative project is evident. This partnership among public hospitals/HE may be applied to other ICUs including countries with fewer resources.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of “Hand Hygiene Fun Month” for Kindergarten Children: A Pilot Quasi-Experimental Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7264
Author(s):  
Lorna Kwai Ping Suen ◽  
Janet Pui Lee Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
School Health ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Kindergarten Children ◽  
School Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Experimental Group

Early childhood is a formative period during which healthy habits are developed, including proper hand hygiene practices. The aim of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of a 4-week series of educational sessions that consider the cognitive developmental stage of children on increasing their knowledge and promoting hand hygiene practices. The intervention group (n = 33) observed the hand hygiene program, whereas another group served as the waitlist control (n = 20). Creative activities were planned for the illustration of hand hygiene concepts in terms of “right moments”, “right steps”, and “right duration”. Hand sanitizer coverage was evaluated using a hand scanner. After the intervention, the experimental group had higher knowledge level toward hand hygiene than the control group (p < 0.001). Significant improvements in hand hygiene performance at the left palm and dorsum (p < 0.05), right palm (p < 0.05), and overall hand coverage (p < 0.05) were observed in the experimental group. The study demonstrated that the knowledge and proper hand hygiene (HH) practice of children can be positively influenced by the use of an age-appropriate education program. The results of this study have implications for school health educators and parents for promoting HH practices among children at home and at the school level.

scholarly journals Immunization competence retention in medical students: a comparation between conventional lectures and lectures with simulations method

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hartono Gunadi ◽  
Rini Sekartini ◽  
Retno Asti Werdhani ◽  
Ardi Findyartini ◽  
Muhammad Arvianda Kevin Kurnia
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background Immunization is recognized as one of the strategiesto reduce vaccine preventable diseases. Competency related toimmunization are consequently important for medical students andthe medical school needs to assure the competence acquisition.Objective To assess competence related to immunization andits retention following lectures with simulations compared tolectures only.Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted to the 5th yearstudents of University of Indonesia Medical School during the ChildAdolescent Health Module in 2012-2013. The intervention grouphad lectures with simulations and the control group had lecturesonly. Immunization knowledge was assessed with a 30 multiplechoice question (MCA) items performed before and after themodule. Competence retention was assessed by MCQ (knowledge)and OSCE (skills) 2-6 months afterwards.Results Sixty eight subjects for each group with similarcharacteristics were analyzed. There was significant differenceafter module MCQ score between two groups. Competenceretention in 2-6 months after module completion was betterin intervention group, both for the knowledge (median MCQscore of 70.00 (range 37-93) vs. mean score of 58.01 (SD 12.22),respectively; P<0.001) and skill (OSCE mean scores of 75.21 (SD10.74) vs. 62.62 (SD 11.89), respectively; P < 0.001). Proportionof subjects in the intervention group who passed both the MCQand OSCE were also significantly greater.Conclusion Lectures with simulations are proved to bemore effective in improving medical students’ immunizationcompetence as well as its retention compared to lectures onlyapproach.

scholarly journals Effect of the Dutch school-based education programme ‘Taste Lessons’ on behavioural determinants of taste acceptance and healthy eating: a quasi-experimental study

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 2231-2241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke CE Battjes-Fries ◽  
Annemien Haveman-Nies ◽  
Reint-Jan Renes ◽  
Hante J Meester ◽  
Pieter van ’t Veer
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Subjective Norm ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
School Based ◽  
Behavioural Determinants ◽  
Quasi Experimental

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of the Dutch school-based education programme ‘Taste Lessons’ on children’s behavioural determinants towards tasting unfamiliar foods and eating healthy and a variety of foods.DesignIn a quasi-experimental study design, data on behavioural determinants were collected at baseline, four weeks and six months after the intervention in both the intervention and control group. Children completed consecutively three questionnaires in which knowledge, awareness, skills, attitude, emotion, subjective norm and intention towards the two target behaviours were assessed. Teachers implemented on average a third of the programme activities. Multilevel regression analyses were conducted to compare individual changes in the determinants in the intervention group with those in the control group, corrected for children’s gender and age. Effect sizes were expressed as Cohen’s d.SettingDutch elementary schools.SubjectsForty-nine classes (1183 children, 9–12 years old) in grades 5–8 of twenty-one elementary schools.ResultsThe intervention group showed a higher increase in knowledge (d=0·26, P<0·01), which persisted after six months (d=0·23, P<0·05). After four weeks, the intervention group showed a higher increase in number of foods known (d=0·22, P<0·05) and tasted (d=0·21, P<0·05), subjective norm of the teacher (d=0·17, P<0·05) and intention (d=0·16, P<0·05) towards the target behaviours.ConclusionsPartial implementation of Taste Lessons during one school year showed small short-term effects on increasing behavioural determinants in relation to tasting unfamiliar foods and eating healthy and a variety of foods. Full and repeated implementation of Taste Lessons in subsequent years might result in larger effects.

scholarly journals Training interventions on Helping Babies Breathe among health workers in tertiary hospital of the Republic of South Sudan: A non-randomized quasi-experimental study

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Vunni Draiko ◽  
Khemika Yamarat ◽  
Alessio Panza ◽  
Judith Draleru ◽  
Martin Taban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
South Sudan ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Helping Babies Breathe ◽  
Newborn Mortality ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
And Control

This study aimed to examine the effects of the Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) training interventions program on the knowledge, psychomotor skills, and competency of health workers in managing birth asphyxia and reducing mortality of newborns experiencing asphyxia within 24 hours. This study used pre- and post-test design (quasi experimental study). Purposive sampling was employed, and a computer-generated number was used to select the participants. Health workers from Juba Teaching Hospital comprised the intervention group. They were evaluated before and after the training from February to June 2017. A post training skill and competency evaluation was performed using a NeoNatalie newborn simulator and was repeated after three months of implementation for intervention and control group. Seventy health workers were enrolled; 40 were in the intervention group and 30 in the control group. Early newborn mortality due to asphyxia within 24 hours in intervention and control measure at pre and post implementation showed a significant reduction within the intervention than the control. Knowledge, psychomotor and competency of health care workers improved immediately after training and early newborn mortality reduced by half at the end of three months. It is recommended that training of health workers on HBB should be scaled up in most of the health facilities in South Sudan.

scholarly journals A Nursery-Based Cooking Skills Programme with Parents and Children Reduced Food Fussiness and Increased Willingness to Try Vegetables: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2623
Author(s):  
Ada L. Garcia ◽  
Emma Brown ◽  
Tom Goodale ◽  
Mairi McLachlan ◽  
Alison Parrett
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Cooking Skills ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Sensory Learning ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Food Fussiness

Children’s fussy eating is associated with a reduced vegetable intake. This quasi-experimental study evaluated “Big Chef Little Chef” (BCLC), a nursery-based cooking skills programme aimed at reducing food fussiness and increasing willingness to try green vegetables by incorporating repeated exposure and sensory learning. Parent and child (3–5 years) dyads attended BCLC for four/1.5 h weekly sessions. A comparison group was recruited after BCLC completion and attended a single education session at week 1. A questionnaire measured food fussiness at week 1 and week 4. At week 4, all children were offered six green vegetables (raw and cooked) and an average score (1 = did not try; 2 = tried it/ate some; 3 = ate it all) was calculated for willingness to try vegetables. In total, 121 dyads (intervention: n = 64; comparison: n = 57) participated. The food fussiness score (1 min–5 max) in the intervention group decreased significantly from 3.0 to 2.6 (p < 0.01) between time points, while there was no change in the comparison group (3.1 (week 1) and 3.0 (week 4)). The intervention group was more willing to try green vegetables with significantly higher (p < 0.001) median scores for raw and cooked vegetables (2.5 for both) compared with the comparison group (2.0 and 1.7, respectively). The BCLC reduced food fussiness and increased willingness to try green vegetables.

scholarly journals Intervention in social skills and bullying

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 1085-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Luiz da Silva ◽  
Wanderlei Abadio de Oliveira ◽  
Diene Monique Carlos ◽  
Elisangela Aparecida da Silva Lizzi ◽  
Rafaela Rosário ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Poisson Regression ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Interpersonal Problems ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Emotional Expressiveness ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention ◽  
Quasi Experimental

ABSTRACT Objective: to verify if the improvement of social and emotional skills reduces bullying victimization in 6th grade students 12 months after the end of the intervention. Method: Quasi-experimental study with 78 students who were bullying victims. A cognitive behavioral intervention based on social skills was conducted with the intervention group. The eight sessions addressed politeness, making friendships, self-control, emotional expressiveness, empathy, assertiveness and solution of interpersonal problems. Data were analyzed using Poisson regression with random effect. Results: Quasi-experimental study with 78 students who were bullying victims. A cognitive behavioral intervention based on social skills was conducted with the intervention group. The eight sessions addressed politeness, making friendships, self-control, emotional expressiveness, empathy, assertiveness and solution of interpersonal problems. Data were analyzed using Poisson regression with random effect. Conclusion: Social skills are important in anti-bullying interventions and can be the basis for intersectoral interventions in the health area, aimed at favoring the empowerment of victims by improving their social interactions and quality of life in school.

scholarly journals Potential effectiveness of Community Health Strategy to promote exclusive breastfeeding in urban poor settings in Nairobi, Kenya: a quasi-experimental study

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. W. Kimani-Murage ◽  
S. A. Norris ◽  
M. K. Mutua ◽  
F. Wekesah ◽  
M. Wanjohi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Potential Effectiveness ◽  
Health Strategy ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Early nutrition is critical for later health and sustainable development. We determined potential effectiveness of the Kenyan Community Health Strategy in promoting exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in urban poor settings in Nairobi, Kenya. We used a quasi-experimental study design, based on three studies [Pre-intervention (2007–2011; n=5824), Intervention (2012–2015; n=1110) and Comparison (2012–2014; n=487)], which followed mother–child pairs longitudinally to establish EBF rates from 0 to 6 months. The Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) study was a cluster randomized trial; the control arm (MIYCN-Control) received standard care involving community health workers (CHWs) visits for counselling on antenatal and postnatal care. The intervention arm (MIYCN-Intervention) received standard care and regular MIYCN counselling by trained CHWs. Both groups received MIYCN information materials. We tested differences in EBF rates from 0 to 6 months among four study groups (Pre-intervention, MIYCN-Intervention, MIYCN-Control and Comparison) using a χ2 test and logistic regression. At 6 months, the prevalence of EBF was 2% in the Pre-intervention group compared with 55% in the MIYCN-Intervention group, 55% in the MIYCN-Control group and 3% in the Comparison group (P<0.05). After adjusting for baseline characteristics, the odds ratio for EBF from birth to 6 months was 66.9 (95% CI 45.4–96.4), 84.3 (95% CI 40.7–174.6) and 3.9 (95% CI 1.8–8.4) for the MIYCN-Intervention, MIYCN-Control and Comparison group, respectively, compared with the Pre-intervention group. There is potential effectiveness of the Kenya national Community Health Strategy in promoting EBF in urban poor settings where health care access is limited.

scholarly journals Role of Social Support in Improving Infant Feeding Practices in Western Kenya: A Quasi-Experimental Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Altrena G Mukuria ◽  
Stephanie L Martin ◽  
Thaddeus Egondi ◽  
Allison Bingham ◽  
Faith M Thuita
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Quasi Experimental

scholarly journals Partnership Among Hospitals To Reduce Healthcare Associated Infections: A Quasi-Experimental Study In Brazilian ICUs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ladjane Santos Wolmer de Melo ◽  
Maria Verônica Monteiro de Abreu ◽  
Bernuarda Roberta de Oliveira Santos ◽  
Maria das Graças Washington Casimiro Carreteiro ◽  
Maria Carolina Andrade Lins de Albuquerque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Collaborative Project ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are relevant in developing countries where frequencies can be at least 3 times higher than in developed countries. The purpose of this research was to describe the intervention implemented in intensive care units (ICUs) to reduce HAIs through collaborative project and analyze the variation over 18 months in the incidence density (ID) of the three main HAIs: ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheter-related urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and also the length of stay and mortality in these ICUs. Methods: A quasi-experimental study in 5 public adult clinical-surgical ICUs, to reduce HAIs, through interventions using the BTS-IHI “Improvement Model”, during 18 months. In the project, promoted by the Ministry of Health, Brazilian philanthropic hospitals of excellence (HE), those mostly private, certified as excellence and exempt from security contributions, regularly trained and monitored public hospitals in diagnostics, data collection and in developing cycles to improve quality and to prevent HAIs (bundles). In the analysis regarding the length of stay, mortality, the IDs of VAP, CLABSIs and CAUTIs over time, a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model was applied for continuous variables, using the constant correlation (exchangeable) between assessments over time. The model estimated the average difference (β coefficient of the model) of the measures analyzed during two periods: a period in the year 2017 (prior to implementing the project) and in the years 2018 and 2019 (during the project).Result: A mean monthly reduction of 0.427 in VAP ID (p = 0.002) with 33.8% decrease at the end of the period and 0.351 in CAUTI ID (p = 0.009) with 45% final decrease. The mean monthly reduction of 0.252 for CLABSIs was not significant (p = 0.068). Length of stay and mortality rates had no significant variation. Conclusions: Given the success in reducing VAP and CAUTIs in a few months of interventions, the achievement of the collaborative project is evident. This partnership among public hospitals/HE may be applied to other ICUs including countries with fewer resources.Trial registration: Promoted by Brazilian Ministry of Health. Approved by the Hospital das Clínicas – UFPE Ethics Committee (No. 3,307,293).

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