Correlates of High Perceived Stress Among Pregnant Hispanic Women in Western Massachusetts

Prenatal psychosocial stress has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, even after controlling for known risk factors. This paper aims to evaluate correlates of high perceived stress among Hispanic women, a group with elevated rates of stress during pregnancy. We conducted this analysis among 1,426 pregnant Hispanic women using data from Proyecto Buena Salud, a prospective cohort study conducted in Western Massachusetts. Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) validated in English and Spanish was administered in early (mean = 12.4 weeks gestation), mid (mean = 21.3 weeks gestation) and late (mean = 30.8 weeks gestation) pregnancy at which time bilingual interviewers collected data on socio-demographic, acculturation, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. High perceived stress was defined as a PSS score >30. Young maternal age (odds ratio (OR) = 0.6; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.4–0.9 for <19 vs. 19–23 years), pre-pregnancy consumption of alcohol (OR = 2.2; 95 % CI 1.4–3.5 for >12 drinks/month vs. none) and smoking (OR = 2.2; 95 % CI 1.3–3.7 for >10 cigarettes/day vs. none) were associated with high perceived stress during early pregnancy. Furthermore, higher annual household income (OR = 0.4; 95 % CI 0.1–0.9 for >$30,000 vs. <$15,000), greater number of adults in the household (OR = 1.8; 95 % CI 1.1–3.0 for ≥3 vs. 1) and language preference (OR = 0.6; 95 % CI 0.4–0.9 for Spanish vs. English) were associated with high stress during mid-pregnancy. Likewise, annual household income was inversely associated with high stress during late pregnancy. Our results have important implications for incorporation of routine screening for psychosocial stress during prenatal visits and implementation of psychosocial counseling services for women at high risk.     

Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity Among Pregnant Women

Objective Physical activity generally declines during pregnancy, but barriers to activity during this time period are not well understood. The objective was to examine barriers to physical activity in a large cohort of pregnant women and to explore these barriers in more depth with qualitative data derived from a separate focus group study using a socioecologic framework. Method A total of 1535 pregnant women (27–30 weeks’ gestation) enrolled in the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study were asked an open-ended question about their primary barrier to physical activity; responses were coded into categories according to the socioecologic framework. To further elucidate, 13 focus groups of a total of 58 pregnant women (20–37 weeks’ gestation) were conducted among Hispanic, African American, and White participants. Results Among the 1535 pregnant women participating in the survey, 85% reported an intrapersonal barrier to physical activity, of which almost two-thirds were health related. Only 2% of the women reported their main barrier to physical activity as interpersonal and 3% reported a neighborhood or environmental barrier. These results were supported by the focus group data, overall and by race/ethnicity and body mass index. Although women discussed barriers to physical activity at a variety of levels, the intrapersonal level was the most frequently cited and discussed factor in both studies. Conclusions Since pregnancy may trigger the development of obesity and since physical activity is recommended for healthy pregnant women, it is imperative to promote physical activity in a more relevant way. These quantitative and qualitative studies revealed many barriers to physical activity among pregnant women and some suggestions for interventions.     

Diagnostic Validity of Two Instruments for Assessing Anxiety and Depression Among Pregnant Women in Hyderabad,Pakistan

The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic validity of two measures, the Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUADS) and the How I Feel scale, for assessing anxiety and depression among pregnant women in Pakistan. The sample included 200 pregnant women in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Using psychiatrist-administered Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria, 71 (36%) of the women were diagnosed with depression or anxiety or both. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses indicated that the two scales had similar levels of discrimination. This study represents an important initial step in developing measures to assess the psychological well-being of Pakistani pregnant women. Additional research is needed, however, to improve the sensitivity and specificity of these scales by removing items that do not function well in this population.     

2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza Immunization Among Pregnant Women: A Comparison of Different Sources of Immunization Information

Validity of prenatal immunization data from different sources has not been assessed. We evaluated prenatal 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza (FLU) data obtained from state immunization information systems (IIS), medical record abstraction (MRA), and participant recall using medical care logs (NCS–MCL). 2009 H1N1 and FLU data were obtained from IIS and MRA for 325 pregnant women participating in the National Children’s Study at three locations (SD/MN, NC, WI). Women recalled immunizations at first pregnancy visit and at 16–17 and 36 weeks’ gestation (NCS–MCL). The proportion of women with vaccine information obtainable from each data source was determined, and proportions immunized as determined using different data sources were compared. IIS data were available for 82 %, MRA for 97 %, and NCS–MCL for 93 % of women. No mention of either vaccine occurred in 29 % (range 4–48 %) of IIS, 40 % of MRA (25–59 %), and 59 % (43–82 %) in NCS–MCL. Best agreement between sources was 2009 H1N1 vaccine in MRA versus IIS [kappa (95 % CI) of 0.44 (0.32–0.55)], with poorest agreement for FLU in IIS versus NCS–MCL [0.11 (?0.03 to 0.25)]. IIS was the most sensitive method for identifying women receiving 2009 H1N1 vaccine (92 %); MRA was most sensitive for FLU vaccine (81 %). IIS provided the most complete and sensitive data for 2009 H1N1 immunizations and MRA the most complete and sensitive data for FLU; IIS data were available for a smaller percent of population than MRA. NCS–MCL was the least sensitive method for identifying vaccinated women.     

某市孕产妇艾滋病知识态度调查

目的 初步了解深圳市孕产妇对艾滋病的知识了解情况及相关态度，为今后在该人群中有针对性地开展艾滋病健康教育和预防工作提供依据。方法 随机选择85位孕产妇进行问卷调查。结果 (1)调查对象对安全套，共用注射针头及输血与艾滋病传播的关系等回答正确率较高，而对蚊虫叮咬、接吻、母要是否传播．感染HIV是否立即可查出等问题回答正确率较低。(2)孕产妇对感染HIV对妊娠影响方面的知识了解积极性不高。结论 孕产妇的艾滋病知识不足。迫切需要对此人群做好宣教工作，同时利用社会宣传加强孕产妇对阻断母婴传播艾滋病的关注。     

Quality of Measurement of Smoking Status by Self-Report and Saliva Cotinine Among Pregnant Women

Objective. The objectives of this paper were to determine the rate of misclassification of smoking and nonsmoking status by self-reports and saliva cotinine of pregnant women participating in a smoking cessation trial, determine the relationship of the number of cigarettes smoked per day and saliva cotinine, and examine whether misclassification was due to an inappropriate saliva cotinine cutoff point. Methods. End of pregnancy self-reports of smoking status and saliva cotinine were used to calculate misclassification rates. Results. The findings revealed that 61 of 441 self-reported smokers had biochemical values inconsistent with smoking status for a smoking misclassification rate of 13.8%. The results also revealed that 28 of 107 self-reported quitters had cotinine values consistent with smoking status for a nonsmoking misclassification rate of 26.2%. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were then plotted to determine whether misclassification resulted from an inappropriate cutoff point. The cotinine cutoff point that maximized sensitivity and specificity for all women was 24 ng/ml. Racial ROC comparisons indicated a higher cutoff point for blacks than whites. Use of any of the ROC indicated cutoff points would not change the misclassification rates. Conclusions. These findings suggest that underreporting of smoking status during pregnancy is high and that social desirability of nonsmoking status may have contributed to the lack of precision in saliva cotinine to distinguish smoking status in this study.     

Mental Health Issues Among Pregnant Women in Correctional Facilities: A Systematic Review

Incarceration-induced stress makes pregnant women in correctional facilities a high-risk group for mental health problems, resulting in adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. A systematic review was conducted to examine the prevalence and correlates of mental health issues among pregnant inmates. Databases searched included PubMed, Medline, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, National Criminal Justice Reference System, Social Work Abstracts, Cochrane and Campbell libraries, which were searched for studies published in English from 1950 till July 2013. Eleven studies were included of pregnant women in correctional facilities and addressed at least one mental illness. Quality score was assigned to these eligible articles. Due to heterogeneity, a narrative review was performed. All of the studies were conducted in the United States, with quality scores ranging from 7 to 10 out of 10. Only one of these studies used mixed methods, the rest were quantitative. Tobacco use among pregnant inmates exceeded 50%, with some studies reporting as high as 84%. Alcohol use was common; 36% of the inmates used illicit drugs in one study. Depression and anxiety levels were high—some studies reported depression among 80% of inmates. Findings suggest that mental health among pregnant prisoners is a huge concern that has not been adequately addressed.     

A Comparison of Masculinity Facial Preference Among Naturally Cycling,Pregnant, Lactating,and Post-Menopausal Women

Women show cyclical shifts in preferences for physical male traits. Here we investigated how fertility status influences women’s facial masculinity preference in men by analyzing a large sample of heterosexual women (N = 3720). Women were regularly either cycling (in both low- and high-conception probability groups), lactating or were currently in a non-fertile state (pregnant or post-menopausal). Analyses simultaneously controlled for women’s age and sexual openness. Participants via two alternative forced choice questions judged attractiveness of masculinized and feminized men’s faces. After controlling for the effect of age and sociosexuality, regularly cycling and pregnant women showed a stronger preference for masculinity than lactating and post-menopausal women. However, there was no significant difference in masculinity preference between women in the low- and high-conception probability groups. Women’s sociosexuality showed a positive, but very weak association with men’s facial masculinity preference. We suggest that women’s overall, long-term hormonal state (cycling, post-menopausal) is a stronger predictor of preference for sexual dimorphism than changes in hormonal levels through the cycle.     

Breastfeeding Intention Among Pregnant Hong Kong Chinese Women

This study set out to (1) estimate the prevalence of three forms of feeding intention among 2,178 pregnant women in six of Hong Kong’s regional hospitals and (2) identify the associated demographic, socioeconomic, obstetric and relational correlates. The research design was exploratory, cross-sectional, and quantitative. The Chinese version of a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the demographic, socio-economic, and obstetric characteristics of the women. Couples’ relationships were investigated using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. All women in the second trimester of their pregnancies who attended the target antenatal clinics within the data collection period of December 2004 to December 2006 were recruited. The prevalence rates of breastfeeding, mixed feeding and artificial feeding were 53.9%, 14.8%, and 31.3%, respectively. Women who had been born in Hong Kong, lived in accommodation that was ≥300 feet² (~30 m²), had made an early antenatal booking, had a planned pregnancy, were experiencing their first pregnancy, and had a lower level of conflict with their partners were significantly more likely to opt for breastfeeding. Women who had been born in Hong Kong and already had children were significantly more likely to choose mixed feeding, compared with the artificial group in a multinomial logistic regression model. These findings suggest that effective promotion of breastfeeding during the prenatal period must target the correlates of feeding intention.     

Suicidal Ideation Among Drug-Dependent Treatment-Seeking Inner-City Pregnant Women

The current retrospective study compared the psychiatric and lifestyle characteristics of two groups of treatment-seeking pregnant, opiate and/or cocaine dependent women admitted to the Center for Addiction and Pregnancy (CAP). Women reporting past and/or current suicidal ideation (SI) (46%; n = 35) were compared to women who did not report thoughts of suicidal ideation (NSI) (54%; n = 41). SI women were more likely to be homeless (p = .020), to report histories of emotional (p = .022), physical (p < 001), sexual abuse (p = .002) and psychiatric treatment (p < .001), and less likely to be married (p = .024) than NSI women. Psychiatrically, SI women were more likely to have co-morbid current and lifetime disorders than NSI women. These findings highlight the need to identify women with histories of suicidal ideation, recognize the potential relapse risk imposed by emotional distress, and confront these issues in treatment.     

Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages Among Pregnant Urban Ugandan Women

The World Health Organization estimated alcohol consumption in Uganda to be one of the highest in the world. We examined alcohol consumption among Ugandan women prior to and after learning of pregnancy. We developed a screening algorithm using factors that predicted alcohol consumption in this study. In 2006, we surveyed 610 women attending antenatal care at the national referral hospital in Kampala, Uganda about consumption of traditional and commercial alcoholic beverages before and after learning of pregnancy. Predictors of alcohol consumption during pregnancy were examined and a practical screening algorithm was developed for use in antenatal clinics. One hundred eighty women (30%) drank alcohol at least monthly before learning of their pregnancy. Among these women, almost one-third reported usual consumption of at least one beverage type at quantities that equal binging levels for women. Overall, 151 women (25%) consumed alcohol after learning of pregnancy. Commercial beverages, particularly beer, were consumed more often than traditional drinks. A two-stage screening algorithm asking women about their religion, male partner or friends’ drinking, and any lifetime drinking predicted self-reported consumption of alcohol during pregnancy with 97% sensitivity and 89% specificity. Alcohol consumption among pregnant Ugandan women attending antenatal care is high. A feasible screening algorithm can help providers target education and counseling to women who are likely drinking during pregnancy. Given the preference for commercial alcoholic beverages, it is recommended that labels be placed prominently on bottled alcoholic beverages warning of the adverse effects of consuming alcohol during pregnancy.     

Depression Among Portuguese Pregnant Women During Covid-19 Lockdown: A Cross Sectional Study

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Coronavirus disease 2019 was declared as a pandemic on March 2020. Research on its psychological effects is still lacking. Perinatal depression is a medical...     

A Comparison of the Occurrence and Perceived Stress of Major Life Events in Black and White Women

Purpose: To describe the occurrence and perceived stress of major life events, and to investigate whether adjusting for socioeconomic status reduced race/ethnicity differences.

Methods: Black (n = 639) and white (n = 419) women aged 35–49 years responded to 14 major life event questions within the domains of employment, health, relationship, finance, residential change, and crime.

Main Findings: The total number of life events did not differ by race/ethnicity, but black women reported significantly more events in the domains of relationship, financial, and residential change than white women. White women generally reported higher stress for a given event than black women, although for “residential change” black women reported more severe stress than the white women.

Conclusions: Inclusion of both the occurrence and perceived stress of major life events can improve our understanding of how this stressor may affect health.     

Perceived Discrimination and Health Outcomes: A Gender Comparison Among Asian-Americans Nationwide

ObjectivesWe examined whether similarities and differences exist in the association between perceived discrimination and poor mental and physical health among Asian-American adult women and men. We also tested whether Asian-American women would have a lower perceived discrimination threshold for developing negative health outcomes than Asian-American men.MethodsData were derived from the National Latino and Asian-American Study (2002–2003). A nationally representative sample of Asian-American adults (1,075 women and 972 men) was examined.ResultsThere were more gender similarities than differences in the strong association between discrimination and health. More prominent gender differences were found for the specific level of discrimination and its potential health effects. Specifically, for both Asian women and men, a high level of perceived discrimination showed stronger associations with mental health than with physical health outcomes. And yet, compared with men, the threshold of discrimination was lower for women in affecting mental and physical health status.ConclusionThe findings underscore that a high level of discrimination was associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes for both women and men. However, women had more negative mental and physical health outcomes when exposed to a lower threshold of discrimination than men. These findings suggest that failing to examine women and men separately in discrimination research may no longer be appropriate among the Asian-American population. Future research should focus attention on the biological, social, and political mechanisms that mitigate the adverse health effects of discrimination in order to develop a more comprehensive approach to eliminate disparities in health.     

孕妇心理健康状况调查分析

目的 研究妊娠期妇女心理状况,并探讨针对孕妇不健康心理的干预措施.方法 以2009年1月至2011年6月间来我院产科门诊的妊娠妇女150例为研究对象,医师运用症状自评量表（SCL-90）对妊娠期妇女进行问卷调查,研究妊娠期妇女心理健康状况以及心理不健康孕妇9种症状因子（强迫、躯体化、人际关系、焦虑、抑郁、偏执、敌对、恐怖和精神病性）的具体体现.结果 忧郁、焦虑、躯体化是孕期妇女出现的主要的心理异常变化,忧郁、焦虑、躯体化发生率在13％左右.同时,孕妇心理异常与家庭经济状况不佳、生活条件差、夫妻关系不和谐、重要亲人丧亡等家庭和社会因素有关.结论 妇女怀孕期间较容易出现心理健康问题且发生几率比较大,医师要对此加以重视,针对心理有问题的孕妇,通过筛查早发现问题并及时干预,尽早矫正出现心理问题的孕妇的心理状况,防止心理问题恶化,促进母婴身心健康水平的提高.