Introduction Postnatal care services helps in detecting and subsequently managing life threatening complications. With the ubiquitous use of the mobile phone in Nepal, social media based postpartum education has the potential to increase PNC knowledge among pregnant women. This study aimed to assess the effect of social media-based health education program on PNC knowledge among pregnant women attending Dhulikhel hospital, Nepal. Materials and methods We conducted a two-arm open-label randomized controlled trial among literate pregnant women visiting Dhulikhel hospital for ANC check-up from May to August, 2021. A computer-based program allocated 229 pregnant women owning smartphones with internet connectivity in a 1:1 ratio to either intervention (n = 109) or usual care (n = 120). We assessed PNC knowledge in the participants by interviewing in-person or via phone. The intervention group received a 16 minutes video on PNC and the participants were reminded to view the video every week via telephone for a month. Control group received usual care. The primary outcome of the study was change in PNC knowledge score. We utilized intent-to-treat analysis and measured the effect of the intervention on PNC knowledge score using simple linear regression analysis. Results and discussion The mean PNC knowledge score increased by additional 8.07 points among pregnant women in the intervention group compared to the control group (95% CI: 2.35: 13.80; p-value = 0.006). The maternal care attribute knowledge increased by 4.31 points (95% CI: 1.51–7.10, p-value = 0.03) and newborn care attribute knowledge increased by 3.39 points (95% CI: 0.41–6.37, p-value = 0.02) among pregnant women in the intervention compared to the control group. Conclusion A social media-based health education is effective in improving PNC knowledge score among pregnant women. Further research is needed to evaluate if this increased knowledge is translated into the increased utilization of PNC care. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05132608.
Background Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Nepal causing highest cancer mortality among women of reproductive age. However, it can be prevented through early and regular screening. Objective To assess utilization of cervical cancer screening, its awareness and perception among women, and associated factors. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted where 360 women of age 30-60 years were randomly selected and interviewed from five administrative wards of Bhaktapur municipality. Result Utilization of cervical cancer screening through Pap test or Visual Inspection with Acetic acid was found in 32.2% women and 47.8% were aware of cervical cancer and its screening tests. 100% of them had high level of perceived benefits and facilitators. More than 80% of them had low level of perceived barriers and susceptibility. Women of age group 51-60 years were more likely to perform the screening test (AOR=13.14) whereas unemployed women were at higher odds of performing the test (AOR=3.29). Women who were aware of cervical cancer and its screening were more likely to perform the screening (AOR=53.65). Women having low level of perceived barriers (AOR=5.83) and high level of perceived seriousness (AOR=6.67) were more likely to perform the screening. Conclusion Only one third of women had performed Pap test/VIA and those who were aware of cervical cancer and had high level of perception were more likely to perform the screening. Thus, more rigorous and tailor-made awareness programs should be developed by health program planners to increase the screening rate among younger and working women.
Objectives Mobile technology is increasingly used to augment management and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), however its use is limited in low and middle income countries like Nepal. We conducted a qualitative study in order to inform the development of a culturally-appropriate mobile app that supports management of GDM among patients in Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal. Methods A total of 12 women with GDM diagnosis (either current or in the preceding 1 year) were recruited from a tertiary level hospital in Nepal. In order to explore the perceived barriers and facilitators to GDM management, we conducted focus group (1 with 4 participants) and in-depth interviews (IDIs; n = 8) with GDM patients, as well as IDIs with their spouses (n = 2) and GDM care providers (n = 5). Towards the end of the focus group and IDIs, the prototype for the proposed GDM app was shown, and feedback was sought on app's features and function. Focus group and IDIs were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was undertaken using manual coding. Results We identified several facilitators to GDM management including at the individual level (e.g., concern for baby's health), family level (e.g., accompaniment to hospital visits, emotional support) and health system level (e.g., universal GDM screening, team approach to management). Notable barriers included inadequate time for diet/lifestyle counseling during hospital visits, abrupt change in diet/lifestyle from pre- to post GDM diagnosis, misconceptions around diet and physical activity, as well as social/cultural barriers including food-centered traditions and festivities, and lack of decision-making power in the household. Majority of GDM patients and their spouses indicated that they lacked sufficient information to manage GDM and were frustrated by frequent hospital visits. All participants agreed that the proposed mobile app would be useful and relevant to women with GDM. They believed it would help overcome existing barriers by empowering pregnant women with information and tools to manage GDM and track their progress. Conclusions Our user research affirmed the potential utility of our target app, and provided important insight into app features that would need to be incorporated to meet patient needs and knowledge gaps, as well as address the barriers related to GDM management. Funding Sources NIH/FIC.
This study examined the relationship between internalizing behaviors (measured as anxious/depressed, withdrawn, and somatic problems) and lifestyle-related, modifiable factors as substance use, sleep, and healthy behaviors in a sample of 191 college students in training for social work and other helping professions. The results indicate that participants with lower scores on internalizing behaviors had fewer sleep disturbances, higher scores on healthy behaviors and lower substance use. The implications for social work education, research, and practice are considered, including exploring the relationships between internalizing behaviors and different components of a healthy lifestyle, such as exercise, sleep, and substance use.
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