Publications by authors named "Maxine Pepper"

Background: Pregnancy represents a critical window of vulnerability to the harmful effects of air pollution on health. However, long-term consequences such as risk of having lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are less explored. This systematic review aims to synthesize previous research on prenatal exposure to ambient (outdoor) air pollution and LRTIs in childhood and adolescence.

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Introduction: Health risks associated with short interpregnancy intervals, coupled with women's desires to avoid pregnancy following childbirth, underscore the need for effective postpartum family planning programs. The antenatal period provides an opportunity to intervene; however, evidence is limited on the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reaching women in the antenatal period to increase voluntary postpartum family planning in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This systematic review aimed to identify and describe interventions in LMICs that attempted to increase postpartum contraceptive use via contacts with pregnant women in the antenatal period.

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Article Synopsis
  • The postpartum period is crucial for the health of mothers and newborns, yet there is a lack of research on effective follow-up methods after discharge from childbirth facilities.
  • A systematic review analyzed 31 studies across various income countries, focusing on different follow-up methods used in the postpartum period, such as in-person visits, phone calls, and questionnaires.
  • The findings indicated a wide range of response rates (23% to 100%) and highlighted the importance of follow-up for monitoring maternal and neonatal health outcomes, with postpartum infections being a primary focus.
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Objective: Antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat perpetuated by the overprescribing of antibiotics in primary care. One strategy to reduce antibiotic use in this setting is delayed prescribing. However, several psychological factors might undermine its effectiveness.

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