Overview of a new eHealth intervention to promote healthy eating and exercise in pregnancy: Initial user responses and acceptability.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop and evaluate an eHealth intervention to promote healthy lifestyle for pregnant women. The setting was a low socio-economic and multi-ethnic area in Melbourne, Australia.

Methods: This paper briefly describes the development of the eHealth intervention, which was aimed at a low level of literacy, and the evaluation of the intervention by pregnant women.

Development and validation of the 'Knowledge of Gestational Diabetes (GDM)' questionnaire among a sample of women with GDM in Australia.

Objective: At present, there are few validated tools that measure women's knowledge of GDM and no tool was located, that measured effective self-management of GDM. To address this gap, this study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the 'Knowledge of GDM' questionnaire, for use by pregnant women.

Methods: A total of 116 pregnant women, with recently diagnosed GDM, were recruited from a public hospital in Australia.

A randomized controlled trial of a web-based education intervention for women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate changes in maternal body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and glycemic level and infant birthweight using an online educational program compared to standard clinic-based GDM education.

Design: A preliminary randomized controlled trial of the online intervention was conducted in Melbourne, Australia between 2014 and 2015. A total of 110 women were randomized to (1) the control group and received standard clinic-based GDM education; or (2) the intervention group and received standard care plus the web-based education program.

Review of emergency obstetric care interventions in health facilities in the Upper East Region of Ghana: a questionnaire survey.

Background: Maternal morbidity and mortality is most prevalent in resource-poor settings such as sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. In sub-Saharan Africa, Ghana is one of the countries still facing particular challenges in reducing its maternal morbidity and mortality. Access to emergency obstetric care (EmOC) interventions has been identified as a means of improving maternal health outcomes.

Communicating out loud: Midwifery students' experiences of a simulation exercise for neonatal resuscitation.

Midwifery students feel unprepared to deal with commonly encountered emergencies, such as neonatal resuscitation. Clinical simulation of emergencies may provide a safe forum for students to develop necessary skills. A simulation exercise, for neonatal resuscitation, was developed and evaluated using qualitative methods.

A systematic review of interventions for Hispanic women with or at risk of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Background And Objective: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a serious health concern for pregnant women, with Hispanic women at particular risk for developing the condition. The aim of this review was to critically examine GDM intervention programs for Hispanic women, in the United States of America (US).

Methods: English and Spanish electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published between 1995 and 2015.

The Experiences of Older Italian Migrants With Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: Older Italian migrants in Australia are a vulnerable group, with high rates of type 2 diabetes and low levels of English language proficiency. The project explored the experience of living with diabetes and factors that facilitated or inhibited access to diabetes services.

Method: Focus groups were conducted in Italian with 13 participants with type 2 diabetes, aged 68 to 85 years.

Access barriers to obstetric care at health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa-a systematic review.

Background: Since 2000, the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, which included a goal to improve maternal health by the end of 2015, has facilitated significant reductions in maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, despite more focused efforts made especially by low- and middle-income countries, targets were largely unmet in sub-Saharan Africa, where women are plagued by many challenges in seeking obstetric care. The aim of this review was to synthesise literature on barriers to obstetric care at health institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.

The experience of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among Hispanic women in a U.S. border region.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Hispanic women of Mexican origin with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Background: GDM is associated with poorer maternal and infant outcomes. Rates of GDM occur at higher rates among Hispanic women of Mexican origin compared to non-Hispanic White women.

Sources of information on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, satisfaction with diagnostic process and information provision.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the percentage of the needs and expectations of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) about the best sources of information on GDM, their satisfaction with the diagnostic process and information provision.

Methods: Questionnaires were completed by 116 pregnant women aged 18-45 years, diagnosed with GDM and recruited from maternity diabetes clinic. Eligible women were invited to participate in the study and informed consent was obtained from each participant prior to enrolment.

Use of a web-based educational intervention to improve knowledge of healthy diet and lifestyle in women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus compared to standard clinic-based education.

Background: This study introduced a web-based educational intervention for Australian women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim was to improve knowledge on healthy diet and lifestyle in GDM. Evaluation of the intervention explored women's knowledge and understanding of GDM, healthy diet, healthy food, and healthy lifestyle, after using the web-based program compared to women receiving standard clinic-based GDM education.

Food taboos and nutrition-related pregnancy concerns among Ethiopian women.

Aims And Objectives: To discuss Ethiopian food taboos during pregnancy and their relation to maternal nutritional status and pregnancy outcomes.

Background: Recent waves of migration have seen large groups of Ethiopian refugees moving to countries around the globe. This is of concern as Ethiopian women are at risk of a number of medical and pregnancy complications.

Internet use by pregnant women seeking pregnancy-related information: a systematic review.

Background: The Internet has become one of the most popular sources of information for health consumers and pregnant women are no exception. The primary objective of this review was to investigate the ways in which pregnant women used the Internet to retrieve pregnancy-related information.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review to answer this question.

Millennium development Goal 5: progress and challenges in reducing maternal deaths in Ghana.

Background: High maternal deaths in developing countries are recognised as a public health issue. To address this concern, targets were set as part of the Millennium Development Goals, launched in 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly. However, despite focused efforts, the maternal health targets in developing regions may not be achieved by 2015.

A qualitative study of older adults seeking appropriate treatment to self-manage their chronic pain in rural North-East Thailand.

Background: Many older adults suffer from chronic pain which decreases their functional capacity and reduces quality of life. Health behaviours and self-care during chronic illness and chronic pain can exert an important influence on health outcomes. The aims of this study were to (a) understand how older adult Thai individuals seek appropriate treatment to self-manage their chronic pain, and (b) to identify factors that contribute to effective pain self-management.

Development and evaluation of a simulation exercise to prepare midwifery students for neonatal resuscitation.

Background: Simulation provides opportunities for midwifery students to enhance their performance in emergency situations. Neonatal resuscitation is one such emergency and its management is a major concern for midwifery students.

Objectives: This project aimed to develop and evaluate a simulation exercise, for neonatal resuscitation, for 3rd year midwifery students.

A critical review: early life nutrition and prenatal programming for adult disease.

Aim And Objective: To present the evidence in relation to early life nutrition and foetal programming for adult disease.

Background: Epigenetics is a new and growing area of study investigating the impact of the intrauterine environment on the lifelong health of individuals.

Design: Discursive paper.

Development and initial testing of a GDM information website for multi-ethnic women with GDM.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects approximately 5-15 % of pregnant women in Australia. Highest rates are seen among women who are obese, from specific ethnic backgrounds and low socio-economic circumstance. These features also impact on uptake of self-management recommendations.

Barriers to obstetric care at health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa--a systematic review protocol.

Background: Since the launch of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the United Nations in 2000, the global community has intensified efforts to reduce adverse maternal health outcomes, especially, in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite these efforts, there is an increasing concern that the decline in maternal deaths has been less than optimal, even for women who receive birthing care in health facilities. High maternal deaths have been attributed to a variety of issues such as poor quality of care, inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, and inaccessibility to healthcare services.

Midwives' experiences of the factors that facilitate normal birth among low risk women at a public hospital in Australia.

Background: normal birth has major advantages for mothers and infants. Nonetheless, in the developed world, rates of normal birth have declined significantly over the past 20 years, and many women currently have caesarean section births for unclear reasons. Midwives are interested in ameliorating this trend and aim to facilitate women to have meaningful birth experiences and to achieve the best possible birth.

Diabetes care and service access among elderly Vietnamese with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Vietnamese patients are disproportionately represented in type 2 diabetes mellitus statistics and also incur high rates of diabetes complications. This situation is compounded by limited access to health care. The aim of this project was to gain a deeper understanding of the difficulties Vietnamese patients experience when accessing services and managing their type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to identify factors that are important in promoting health service use.

Final year students' learning experiences of the Bachelor of Midwifery course.

Aim: the aim of the study was to explore the concerns of 3rd year Bachelor of Midwifery students.

Background: earlier research indicates that midwifery students experience a number of conflicting learning demands and expectations, during their student years. These difficulties can lead to anxiety and a lack of confidence, which have implications for student integration and socialisation into the profession.

Final year students' experiences of the Bachelor of Midwifery course.

Aim: : the aim of the study was to explore the experiences of final year Bachelor of Midwifery students.

Background: earlier research indicates that midwifery students experience a number of difficulties and concerns during their studentship. These difficulties can lead to a lack of confidence and poorer integration and socialisation into the profession.

Antenatal stress: an Irish case study.

Background: stress in pregnancy is common and impacts negatively on women, infants and families. A number of factors contribute to high levels of stress in pregnancy, including financial concerns, marital discord, low support systems and low socio-economic status.

Objectives: the aim of this study was to evaluate stress anxiety levels and depressive symptoms among low risk women in an area in Ireland that was particularly impacted by the 2008 economic crisis.

High environmental temperature and preterm birth: a review of the evidence.

Objective: to examine the evidence in relation to preterm birth and high environmental temperature.

Background: this review was conducted against a background of global warming and an escalation in the frequency and severity of hot weather together with a rising preterm birth rate.

Methods: electronic health databases such as: SCOPUS, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and Maternity and Infant Care were searched for research articles, that examined preterm birth and high environmental temperature.