Stage of change is associated with assessment of the health risks of maternal smoking among pregnant women

This study explored pregnant women's assessment of the health risks associated with maternal smoking. The aim was to determine if stage of change relating to smoking is associated with risk assessment. A cross-sectional survey (employing a self-completion questionnaire) was conducted of all women who attended antenatal clinics at Leicester Royal Infirmary, National Health Service Trust, UK over a 2 week period. Questionnaires were completed by 254 respondents. Twenty seven percent of non-smokers agreed with more than 75% of a series of statements about the dangers of maternal smoking compared to 5% of smokers and 44% of women in social class I (highest social class) agreed with more than 75% of the statements compared with only 10% of women in social classes IV and V (lower social class groups). Married women were twice as likely to concur with more than 75% of the health risks compared to single or cohabiting women and 29% of women intending to breastfeed agreed with more than 75% of the statements compared with only 8.7% of women not intending to breastfeed. There was no significant effect of age, whether the pregnancy was planned, previous obstetric complications or whether the woman had a child with asthma or respiratory infections. A multiple regression analysis indicated that smokers were much less likely to agree with the health risks than their non-smoking counterparts (p = 0.034). Stage of change was related to both the number of health risks agreed with and the level of conviction. A woman's stage of change could be assessed at the start of antenatal care so that appropriate smoking cessation advice can be offered.     

Intention to breastfeed and other important health-related behaviour and beliefs during pregnancy

BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted that breastfeeding is the best form of infant feeding for the first 4-6 months of life. OBJECTIVE: This study explored whether intention to breastfeed is associated with other positive maternal health-related behaviours and beliefs during pregnancy. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 789 women attending antenatal clinics at Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust. A structured questionnaire assessed feeding intention, use of folic acid, vitamin and iron supplementation, smoking status, smoking stage of change, and fetal health locus of control during pregnancy. RESULTS: Forty percent of the women stated that they intended to breastfeed exclusively, 27% planned to bottle feed, 23% intended to combine breast and bottle feeding and 10% were undecided. Women planning to breastfeed (either exclusively or in combination with bottle feeding) were more likely than those with alternative feeding plans to: have increased their folic acid intake, taken vitamin/iron supplements and have a primarily internal locus of control (perceive themselves to have control over the health of their unborn baby). Women intending to breastfeed were also less likely to smoke. Of the women who did smoke, those planning to breastfeed were more likely to be either considering or preparing to quit smoking during their pregnancy. CONCLUSION: In addition to educating pregnant smokers about the risks of maternal smoking, primary health care practitioners could also usefully address their knowledge, health beliefs and feeding intentions during antenatal care.     

Which mothers smoke before, during and after pregnancy?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sociodemographic factors associated with cigarette smoking in women before, during and after pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: A 12-month longitudinal study. METHOD: All eligible mothers at two public maternity hospitals in Perth, Australia were asked to participate in a study of infant feeding. While in hospital, participating mothers completed a self-administered baseline questionnaire. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted at 4, 10, 16, 22, 32, 40 and 52 weeks. Data collected included sociodemographic, biomedical, hospital-related and psychosocial factors associated with the initiation and duration of breastfeeding. RESULTS: A total of 587 (55%) mothers participated in the study. Thirty-nine percent of mothers reported smoking pre-pregnancy. Mothers who smoked were more likely to have a partner who smoked and to have consumed alcohol prior to pregnancy, and less likely to have attended antenatal classes. They were also less likely to have known how they were going to feed their baby before conception and likely to be more inclined to consider stopping breastfeeding before four months postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: Having a partner (father of the newborn infant) who smoked and maternal alcohol consumption prenatally were factors associated with pre-pregnancy smoking. In addition, if a woman decided how she would feed her infant before the pregnancy occurred and intended to breastfeed for longer than four months she was less likely to smoke in the prenatal period. Having a father (of the newborn infant) who smoked during pregnancy continued to be a factor significantly associated with maternal smoking in the antenatal and postnatal period. Not attending antenatal classes and not intending to breastfeed for longer than four months were also factors associated with maternal smoking. At ten weeks postpartum being of Caucasian origin and having a low Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Score were factors significantly associated with smoking postnatally.     

Socioeconomic inequalities in the provision and uptake of prenatal care

OBJECTIVE: To describe socioeconomic inequalities in the provision and uptake of prenatal care among women in Barcelona (Spain) between 1994 and 2003. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of women in Barcelona who delivered a child without birth defects. Information was obtained from hospital medical records and a personal interview with women included in the Barcelona Birth Defects Registry, containing a random sample of 2% of all pregnant women in the city (n = 2299). Dependent variables: number of obstetric visits, the trimester of the first visit, the number of obstetric ultrasound scans, the fifth-month diagnostic ultrasound scan, invasive procedures, prenatal folic acid intake, pregnancy planning, smoking and smoking cessation. The independent variables were maternal age and social class. Logistic regression models were filted for each dependent variable. RESULTS: In social classes with manual occupations, there was a higher proportion of pregnant women who attended less than six obstetric visits and who attended the first obstetric visit after the first trimester. Moreover, these women were less likely to have undergone an invasive procedure, to have taken folic acid supplements, to have planned the pregnancy, to be non-smokers and to stop smoking. In the more privileged classes, there was a higher proportion of women who attended more than 12 obstetric visits and who underwent more than three ultrasound scans. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic inequalities were found in the provision and uptake of prenatal care in Barcelona. Uptake was greater in the more advantaged social classes but excessive medicalization was found in all classes. Rationalizing the use of healthcare resources and reducing excessive medicalization would reduce inequalities in prenatal care in Barcelona.     

The relations between maternal mind-mindedness,parenting stress and obstetric history among Chinese mothers

ABSTRACT

Relations between maternal mind-mindedness, parenting stress and obstetric history were investigated in a Chinese sample of 96 mother-infant dyads (M_{infants' age} = 15.95 months, M_{maternal age} = 30 years). Parenting stress and obstetric history were assessed through questionnaires while mind-mindedness was observed through video recordings of mother-infant interactions. Among mothers who perceived their pregnancy to have been difficult, those who had planned to conceive were more likely to comment appropriately on their infants' mental states. Mothers who displayed a highly emotional reaction of an exclusively positive nature when their babies were first given to them experienced lower total parenting stress scores. Mothers who were more mind-mindedness experienced lower parenting stress. Main carer status and daily time spent with child were related to parenting stress. Results are discussed in relation to socio-cultural factors that might shape antenatal perceptions and influence parenting stress which in turn affect mothers' relationships with their children.     

Evaluation of the impact of birth preparation courses on the health of the mother and the newborn

In 1995-96 a knowledge, attitude and practise (KAP) survey on care during pregnancy, delivery and in the post-natal period was carried out by the National Institute of Health in Italy. Of the 9004 women interviewed, 23% have attended antenatal classes (36% in hospitals, 51% in maternal and child health, MCH, clinics and 13% privately). Women attending these classes tend to be well-educated, primigravidae and resident in the North. Women who attend antenatal classes, especially at MCH clinics, have a lower risk of caesarean section (OR = 0.60), of bottle feeding while in hospital (OR = 0.45) and of receiving no information on contraception (OR = 0.31). Women who attend classes and are able to apply the technique learnt have a reduced risk of being dissatisfied with the experience of childbirth (OR = 0.72), whereas the others have an increased risk of dissatisfaction (OR = 1.87).     

Linking birth records to hospital admission records enhances the identification of women who smoke during pregnancy

Objective : Birth records and hospital admission records are valuable for research on maternal smoking, but individually are known to under‐estimate smokers. This study investigated the extent to which combining data from these records enhances the identification of pregnant smokers, and whether this affects research findings such as estimates of maternal smoking prevalence and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with smoking. Methods : A total of 846,039 birth records in New South Wales, Australia, (2001–2010) were linked to hospital admission records (delivery and antenatal). Algorithm 1 combined data from birth and delivery admission records, whereas algorithm 2 combined data from birth record, delivery and antenatal admission records. Associations between smoking and placental abruption, preterm birth, stillbirth, and low birthweight were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results : Algorithm 1 identified 127,612 smokers (smoking prevalence 15.1%), which was a 9.6% and 54.6% increase over the unenhanced identification from birth records alone (prevalence 13.8%), and delivery admission records alone (prevalence 9.8%), respectively. Algorithm 2 identified a further 2,408 smokers from antenatal admission records. The enhancement varied by maternal socio‐demographic characteristics (age, marital status, country of birth, socioeconomic status); obstetric factors (multi‐fetal pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension); and maternity hospital. Enhanced and unenhanced identification methods yielded similar odds ratios for placental abruption, preterm birth, stillbirth and low birthweight. Conclusions : Use of linked data improved the identification of pregnant smokers. Studies relying on a single data source should adjust for the under‐ascertainment of smokers among certain obstetric populations.     

Breast feeding in Israel: maternal factors associated with choice and duration.

STUDY OBJECTIVES--To determine the influence of maternal characteristics on the incidence and duration of breast feeding. DESIGN--All the women who delivered in three obstetric wards within a two year period were surveyed. These three wards cover 93% of all births in the Jerusalem district. Women were interviewed on breast feeding of the previous child on the first or second day post partum by a research nurse. PARTICIPANTS--Altogether 8486 women whose previous pregnancy had resulted in a live born singleton who survived for at least one year. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Breast feeding information was linked to demographic and health information from hospital records. Using logistic regression analysis, failure to start breast feeding was best predicted (p < 0.001) by caesarean delivery, infant's birth weight, maternal smoking habits, and mother being non-immigrant. Maternal age (< 24 or > 40 years) and father being an ultraorthodox Jew were also positively (p < 0.05) associated with the decision to breast feed. Long term breast feeding (three months or more) was strongly affected (p < 0.001) by maternal education level, with both women with the fewest and the greatest number of years of schooling more likely to breast feed. A similar association was observed in all ethnic groups. Primipara and grandmultipara (parity > 4), new immigrants, ultraorthodox Jews, and non-smokers breast fed their babies for longer. CONCLUSIONS--The importance of maternal characteristics in relation to breast feeding was shown. Caesarean delivery and the infant's birth weight were strongly related to the decision to breast feed as were the demographic characteristics of mother's age and her country of birth. Education was not related to this decision but was strongly associated with the duration of breast feeding, as was parity. The behavioural characteristics of smoking and being ultraorthodox were related to both the decision to start and the duration of breast feeding. Efforts to encourage breast feeding ought to be targeted during the hospital stay and post partum period towards women identified as being at increased risk.     

Smoking, adolescents and health: Isfahan healthy heart programme-heart health promotion from childhood

To evaluate the effect of some environmental factors on smoking, and to assess some health hazards of smoking in adolescents, this cross-sectional study was performed among 1950 students, agesll-18, selected by multi-stage random sampling from three cities in Iran. According to self-administered questionnaires, 12.9% of boys and 4% of girls reported to be smoker (OR = 3.34, 95% CI: 2.33, 4.77, p < 0.001). The mean values of total- and LDL-cholesterol were higher in smokers and their HDL-C was lower than non-smokers (163.33 +/- 33.83, 90.73 +/- 31 and 46.7 +/- 12.24 vs. 156 +/- 29.53, 85 +/- 26.5 and 49.4 +/- 13.7 mg/dl, respectively, p < 0.05). The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher in smokers than non-smokers (110.7 +/- 14.5, 67.6 +/- 11.55 vs. 104.9 +/- 14.3, 63.2 +/- 10.8 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.05). The smokers had higher BMI than non-smokers (20.34 +/- 3.84 vs. 19.55 +/- 3.66, p < 0.05). The mean food consumption frequency was lower for fruits and vegetables and higher for fat/salty snacks and fast foods in smokers than non-smokers. Logistic regression analysis showed significant association between sex, age, the number of family members and number of smokers in the family and smoking in students. The findings of this study have implications for future tobacco prevention strategies through community-based interventions.     

Brief intervention on maternal smoking: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: To determine if mothers receiving a smoking cessation intervention emphasizing health risks of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) for their children have a higher quit rate than mothers who received routine smoking cessation advice, which focused on their own health, or a control group of mothers. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. METHODS: Randomized control trial. A total of 363 mothers were randomly assigned to a smoking cessation intervention either aimed at their children's health (n = 111) or their own health (n = 131), or to a control group receiving no smoking cessation advice (n = 121). RESULTS: Provision to mothers of both groups of health risks of tobacco smoke resulted in significantly higher rate of cessation of smoking and smoking location change than those of the control group, with child intervention group having significantly higher rate of cessation of smoking and smoking location change than those of the maternal intervention group (P < 0.05). Post-intervention knowledge scores differed significantly for all groups; however, child intervention group was the only significantly better group than the others (P < 0.05). According to the multivariate analysis results, intervention grouping and presence of smoking friends were independent factors determining smoking cessation (P < 0.05). Intervention grouping, post-intervention knowledge, presence of other household members who smoked and family income were independent factors determining smoking location change (P < 0.05). Family income, intervention grouping and presence of smoking friends were significant independent factors influencing post-intervention knowledge (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Discussion during short paediatric visits on effects of smoking on child's or maternal health may result in a significant smoking cessation, smoking location change rate or knowledge change. Those who cannot give up smoking usually change their location of smoking. Provision of information on effects of smoking on child's health, rather than maternal, may result in more significant changes in behaviour or knowledge. Maternal education on smoking should include information on effects of smoking on both child's and maternal health, but should be especially focused on child's health.     

Clinical, provider and sociodemographic determinants of the number of antenatal visits in England and Wales

The objective of this study was to measure the independent effects of clinical factors and non-clinical factors, such as provider and sociodemographic characteristics, on the number of antenatal visits made by women in England and Wales. The study was based on a survey of the secondary case records of 20,771 women with singleton pregnancies who were delivered between 1 August 1994 and 31 July 1995. The women in the survey attended one of nine maternity units in Northern England and North Wales selected within those areas to reflect geographical variations, as well as variations in the size and teaching status of the institution. A multivariate Poisson regression model was developed to examine differences in the number of antenatal visits made by women with different clinical and non-clinical characteristics. After controlling for non-clinical factors, primiparous women identified as high risk at booking made 1.0% more visits than primiparous women identified as low risk at booking (p = 0.196). Multiparous women identified as high risk at booking made 3.5% more visits than their low risk counterparts (p<0.001). High risk-defining criteria during antenatal care led to a 0.3% weekly increase in the number of antenatal visits amongst primiparous women (p <0.001) and a 0.4% weekly increase in the number of antenatal visits amongst multiparous women (p < 0.001). Several notable results, not reported elsewhere in the literature, were revealed by the regression analyses. After all independent variables were controlled for, women who were booked into urban teaching hospitals made 10% fewer antenatal visits than the women who were booked into the urban non-teaching hospitals. Women of Pakistani origin made 9.1% fewer antenatal visits than women of white British origin. Similar results were revealed for women of Indian origin and women from other ethnic groups. Non-smokers made 6.0% more antenatal visits than smokers. The planned pattern of antenatal care, number of carers seen, gestation at first presentation and maternal age also had significant independent impacts on the number of antenatal visits. The study highlights the sizeable impact of non-clinical factors on the antenatal care delivery process and indicates ways in which variations in antenatal care might be reduced.     

Antenatal and perinatal care in southern Italy. I. The mothers' reports

A population-based cross-sectional study of antenatal and perinatal care was performed in Campania, a region of southern Italy. One thousand three hundred women who had given birth in 1982 were interviewed. The number of antenatal visits was very low, less than 1% of the mothers having attended more than three times during pregnancy. The women at high obstetric risk did not attend more than those at low risk and certain aspects of their antenatal care were unsatisfactory. The place of birth was similar for high risk and low risk mothers, with 40% delivering in small private facilities (with few neonatal resuscitation facilities and often with inadequate infant transport services). The labour was induced or accelerated in 60% of the mothers. The organisation of perinatal care did not take into account many of the needs of the mothers such as presence of a relative at delivery, ambulation during labour, early relationship with the newborn, rooming-in, or encouragement to breastfeed.     

Antenatal and perinatal care in southern Italy. I. The mothers' reports

Summary. A population-based cross-sectional study of antenatal and perinatal care was performed in Campania, a region of southern Italy. One thousand three hundred women who had given birth in 1982 were interviewed. The number of antenatal visits was very low, less than 1% of the mothers having attended more than three times during pregnancy. The women at high obstetric risk did not attend more than those at low risk and certain aspects of their antenatal care were unsatisfactory. The place of birth was similar for high risk and low risk mothers, with 40% delivering in small private facilities (with few neonatal resuscitation facilities and often with inadequate infant transport services). The labour was induced or accelerated in 60% of the mothers. The organisation of perinatal care did not take into account many of the needs of the mothers such as presence of a relative at delivery, ambulation during labour, early relationship with the newborn, rooming-in, or encouragement to breastfeed.     

Repeated validation of parental self-reported smoking during pregnancy and infancy: a prospective cohort study of infants at high risk for allergy development

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) during fetal life and infancy is closely related to the smoking habits of the parents. Estimates of exposure to ETS require valid and detailed information on changes in cigarette smoking over time. The objective was to test the validity of self-reported smoking among parents during pregnancy and early childhood in a cohort of children at high risk for allergy development by measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide (CO). The cohort comprised 117 families enrolled from the general population of pregnant women at admission to antenatal care. Data on parental tobacco smoking were obtained by interview and exhaled CO was measured (Micro-Smokerlyzer(R)) in parents twice during pregnancy and when the child was 6 and 18 months old. The median (range) exhaled CO levels were 3 (0-10) parts per million (ppm) for non-smokers and 15 (1-39) ppm for smokers (P < 0.0005). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed at each examination. The areas under the ROC curve were high for both mothers (between 0.88 and 0.99) and fathers (between 0.87 and 0.89), indicating exhaled CO as a good diagnostic tool for determining smoking status. Comparing the ROC areas obtained for mothers from late pregnancy and during infancy with the area from early pregnancy showed no statistical differences (P = 0.21, 0.43 and 0.44 respectively) and the same was true for fathers during infancy (P = 0.81). The level of 8 ppm was used as the cut-off between smokers and non-smokers, based on data from a pilot study. Using CO as a diagnostic tool for smoker status showed very high specificity (between 97 and 100%), indicating that very few persons claiming to be non-smokers had CO levels higher than 8 ppm. In conclusion, the validity of interview-obtained self-reported smoking among parents during pregnancy and early childhood was high. Repeated interviews and CO measurements in a prospective study design did not change the validity, indicating a low risk of information bias. A structured interview combined with measurement of exhaled CO is a valid and reliable method for estimating ETS exposure to the fetus and young infant.     

2007—2018年新疆地区孕产妇死亡率变化趋势及影响因素分析

目的 分析新疆地区2007—2018年孕产妇死亡率变化趋势及影响因素,为进一步降低孕产妇死亡率提供科学依据。 方法 对新疆2007—2018年孕产妇死亡率、主要死因和孕产期保健服务情况进行描述,Spearman秩相关分析孕产妇死亡率与孕产期保健服务指标相关性, 偏最小二乘回归分析孕产妇死亡率影响因素。 结果 新疆孕产妇死亡率从2007年73.7/10万下降到2018年26.8/10万,年均下降率8.78%。孕产期保健服务指标呈逐年上升趋势(P＜0.01)。孕产妇死亡率与各项孕产期保健服务指标呈负相关,前三位分别为住院分娩率(r=-0.945, P＜0.001),产前检查率(r=-0.933, P＜0.001),产后访视率(r=-0.901, P＜0.001)。住院分娩率是孕产妇死亡率最大的影响因素,其次是产前检查率。 结论 新疆孕产妇死亡率呈下降趋势,但仍然处于较高水平。进一步降低孕产妇死亡率需要提高产科系统管理服务质量,加强孕产妇高危预警和分级管理,提高基层人员技术水平,加强孕产妇产前检查和住院分娩工作。     

Moderate alcohol intake during pregnancy and the risk of stillbirth and death in the first year of life

The authors evaluated the association between alcohol intake during pregnancy and risk of stillbirth and infant death in a cohort of pregnant women receiving routine antenatal care at Aarhus University Hospital (Aarhus, Denmark) between 1989 and 1996. Prospective information on alcohol intake, other lifestyle factors, maternal characteristics, and obstetric risk factors was obtained from self-administered questionnaires and hospital files, and 24,768 singleton pregnancies were included in the analyses (116 stillbirths, 119 infant deaths). The risk ratio for stillbirth among women who consumed > or =5 drinks/week during pregnancy was 2.96 (95% confidence interval: 1.37, 6.41) as compared with women who consumed <1 drink/week. Adjustment for smoking habits, caffeine intake, age, prepregnancy body mass index, marital status, occupational status, education, parity, and sex of the child did not change the conclusions, nor did restriction of the highest intake group to women who consumed 5-14 drinks/week (risk ratio = 3.13, 95% confidence interval: 1.45, 6.77). The rate of stillbirth due to fetoplacental dysfunction increased across alcohol categories, from 1.37 per 1,000 births for women consuming <1 drink/week to 8.83 per 1,000 births for women consuming > or = 5 drinks/week. The increased risk could not be attributed to the effect of alcohol on the risk of low birth weight, preterm delivery, or malformations. There was little if any association between alcohol intake and infant death.     

2009-2011年湖南省计划外生育孕产妇死亡相关特征分析

目的分析2009-2011年湖南省计划外生育孕产妇死亡相关特征,寻找减少计划外生育孕产妇死亡的可控因素,为制定计划外生育人群系统保健工作策略及政策提供理论依据。方法通过湖南省三级妇幼保健网络收集湖南省2009-2011年的孕产妇死亡资料共572例。依据计划生育情况,将其中有记录569例孕产妇死亡个案分为计划生育内、外组,分析指标包括:孕产妇的人口社会学因素、孕期保健相关因素、分娩相关特征、死亡相关特征。结果计划外生育组与计划内生育组组间比较:计划外生育组孕产妇死亡中高龄(35岁及以上)和低龄(小于20岁)构成比显著增高(χ2=78.828,P=0.000);妊娠次数(χ2=60.319,P=0.000)和分娩次数明显增多(χ2=56.887,P=0.000);产检次数明显减少,尤其是孕期从未做过产前检查者明显增加(χ2=43.793,P=0.000);分娩地点级别低,尤其是在家中及其他非法接生机构分娩者增多(χ2=29.351,P=0.000);计划外组剖宫产终止妊娠者明显减少(χ2=16.624,P=0.000);死于产科出血等直接产科原因者明显增多(χ2=23.096,P=0.000);可避免死亡构成比明显增多(χ2=13.735,P=0.001)。二组间死亡孕产妇的城乡分布、家庭年人均收入、死亡地点分布等构成比差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论计划外生育死亡孕产妇特点是妊娠和分娩次数多、高龄或低龄妊娠、孕产期服务较差,产检次数少、分娩地点级别较低、产科出血等直接产科死因及可避免死亡构成比高。     

Prenatal care in Kinshasa: Knowledge, beliefs, and barriers to timely care

According to the international medical community, adequate antenatal care, beginning by the end of the fourth month of pregnancy, is beneficial to maternal and perinatal outcomes. However, there is little research on timing of antenatal care and factors that influence it, including external barriers and women's beliefs. This research was conducted at antenatal clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo where rates of infant and maternal mortality are among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa and where antenatal care begins later than in other countries in the region; the goal was to assess knowledge, beliefs and barriers to timely antenatal care. In this paper we present data collected in structured interviews at the women's first antenatal visit (N = 206). Although 75% of women believed antenatal care should start before the end of the fourth month, as recommended by WHO, only 22% presented by this time. Important barriers were financial (37%) and lack of knowledge about appropriate timing (35%). Gravidity was associated with gestational age at first visit (p < 0.001). Average gestational age at first visit was 4.7 months in primigravidae and 5.9 months in women with > or = 2 previous pregnancies. Most women in Kinshasa begin antenatal care later than recommended by WHO. Educating women on the importance of timely antenatal care and improving its financial accessibility should be priorities for maternal and child health programs in the DRC.     

Infant feeding counselling for HIV-infected and uninfected women: appropriateness of choice and practice

OBJECTIVE: To examine infant feeding intentions of HIV-infected and uninfected women and the appropriateness of their choices according to their home resources; and to determine their adherence to their intentions in the first postnatal week. METHODS: Feeding intentions of pregnant women were compared against four resources that facilitate replacement feeding: clean water, adequate fuel, access to a refrigerator and regular maternal income. First-week feeding practices were documented. FINDINGS: The antenatal feeding intentions of 1253 HIV-infected women were: exclusive breastfeeding 73%; replacement feeding 9%; undecided 18%. Three percent had access to all four resources, of whom 23% chose replacement feeding. Of those choosing replacement feeding, 8% had access to all four resources. A clean water supply and regular maternal income were independently associated with intention to replacement feed (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-3.2; AOR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2-3.5, respectively). Significantly more HIV-infected women intending to exclusively breastfeed, rather than replacement feed, adhered to their intention in week one (exclusive breastfeeding 78%; replacement feeding 42%; P<0.001). Of 1238 HIV-uninfected women, 82% intended to exclusively breastfeed; 2% to replacement feed; and 16% were undecided. Seventy-five percent who intended to exclusively breastfeed adhered to this intention postnatally, and only 11 infants (<1%) received no breast milk. The number of antenatal home visits significantly influenced adherence to feeding intention. CONCLUSION: Most HIV-infected women did not have the resources for safe replacement feeding, instead choosing appropriately to exclusively breastfeed. Adherence to feeding intention among HIV-infected women was higher in those who chose to exclusively breastfeed than to replacement feed. With appropriate counselling and support, spillover of suboptimal feeding practices to HIV-negative women is minimal.     

Some social background variables among smoking and non-smoking primiparae

Of a population of 2,427 Norwegian primiparae, 62.7% were non-smokers, 23.0% smoked fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, and 14.3% smoked 10 or more a day. There was a significant correlation between smoking in pregnancy and age below 20 years, unmarried or previously married status, and poor education (p less than 0.001). Poor housing is of less importance. The mean age of smokers (24.0 years) was significantly lower than that of non-smokers (25.8 years) (p less than 0.001). The overall incidence of smoking in pregnancy was not significantly different from that in the normal population, but pregnant women under 20 smoked significantly more and those older than 24 significantly less, compared with their counterparts in a normal population (p less than 0.01).