Publications by authors named "E Kirk"

Pregnancy is a unique phase in a woman's life marked by profound physical transformations, including changes in body shape and weight. The Body Understanding Measure for Pregnancy Scale (BUMPs) was designed to assess body image during pregnancy. Despite its increasing use, the scale has not yet been adapted into Italian, and evidence regarding its predictive validity with respect to anxiety, depression, and body appreciation is lacking.

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Integrating science education with social justice is vital for preparing students to critically address significant societal issues like climate change and pandemics. This study examines the effectiveness of socioscientific system modeling as a tool within Justice-Centered Science Pedagogy (JCSP) to enhance middle school students' understanding of social justice science issues. It focuses on how system modeling can scaffold students' reasoning about complex social systems, informed by their lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, and social identities.

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Reproductive genetic carrier screening (RGCS) provides information about people's chance of having children with certain genetic conditions, to inform reproductive decision making. RGCS at population scale requires a robust and streamlined program that is purposively designed and formally implemented to ensure equity and consistency. There are many considerations in selecting conditions, genes and variants for inclusion in RGCS, with severity of the genetic condition a key criterion.

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Background: Genomic sequencing technology allows for identification of reproductive couples with an increased chance, as compared with that in the general population, of having a child with an autosomal recessive or X-linked genetic condition.

Methods: We investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of a nationwide, couple-based genetic carrier screening program in Australia as part of the Mackenzie's Mission project. Health care providers offered screening to persons before pregnancy or early in pregnancy.

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Article Synopsis
  • Early Pregnancy Loss (EPL) significantly impacts women's physical and psychological health, yet there is a lack of guided hospital support services in the UK, making the evaluation of an Early Pregnancy Loss Support Clinic (EPLSC) crucial.
  • The evaluation gathered quantitative data using questionnaires to measure patient satisfaction and anxiety levels, alongside qualitative insights from interviews focusing on women’s health experiences and support needs.
  • Results showed high satisfaction rates among the 110 women who attended the EPLSC, with many reporting reduced anxiety and emphasizing the importance of emotional support and the role of the bereavement midwife.
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