Publications by authors named "Vanessa Short"

Introduction: Pregnancy-associated mortality involving opioids represents a significant public health issue. Limited social support is a known factor, contributing to a more complex recovery and a greater risk for relapse and overdose. Community-based doulas have been used in other marginalized populations yet are under-studied among pregnant and parenting persons with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).

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Problem: Persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) often lack social support, which is associated with improved recovery outcomes.

Background: In the last two decades, the rate of opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant people has quadrupled.

Question: This study aimed to describe the prenatal and postpartum social support networks and needs of persons with OUD and assess perceived acceptability of community-based social supports such as doulas.

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Background: Healthy lifestyle changes for patients with stage 1 hypertension are recommended before antihypertensive medication. Exercise has antihypertensive benefits; however, low adoption and high attrition are common. Patients need easily adoptable, effective and manageable exercise interventions that can be sustained for life.

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Background: Underutilization of primary care and receipt of preventive health services have been reported among women with opioid use disorder. The aim of this study was to describe perceptions of primary care among women in treatment for opioid use disorder.

Methods: Between May and June 2022, 27 women who were receiving treatment for opioid use disorder from one opioid treatment program participated in this study.

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Introduction: Women in India experience high rates of postpartum depression (PPD), with minimal availability of screening or treatment. India has an extensive network of community health workers, known as accredited social health activists (ASHAs). While they are knowledgeable about most maternal-child health problems, they have minimal knowledge about PPD.

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Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that can have a profound effect on sleep and quality of life. Idiopathic RLS is associated with brain iron insufficiency despite normal peripheral iron stores. There is, however, a five- to six-fold increase in prevalence of RLS in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

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Background: Anemia is a worldwide problem with iron deficiency being the most common cause. When anemia occurs in pregnancy, it increases the risk of adverse maternal, fetal, and postnatal outcomes. It induces preterm births and low birth weight (LBW) deliveries, long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae, and an increased risk of earlier onset of postnatal iron deficiency.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Recent increases in opioid use among pregnant and parenting women highlight the need for effective treatment approaches, yet many face challenges with inpatient care and often drop out of treatment programs.
  • - A study involving 30 pregnant women undergoing methadone initiation revealed themes such as barriers and facilitators to treatment, the transition to outpatient services, and the need for better clinical support.
  • - The findings emphasize the importance of addressing the obstacles identified by participants to improve engagement and outcomes for pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder.
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Background And Objectives: Parenting women in treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) report a lack of family centeredness and anticipatory guidance within well child care (WCC), and WCC utilization is low among affected children. We explore priorities for WCC visit content to inform primary care recommendations for this population.

Methods: This study is a qualitative study of parenting women from one urban, academic OUD treatment program and pediatric primary care clinicians from a nearby affiliated pediatric practice.

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Introduction: The effectiveness of group prenatal care (G-PNC) compared with individual prenatal care (I-PNC) for women with opioid use disorder (OUD) is unknown. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the acceptability of co-locating G-PNC at an opioid treatment program and (2) describe the maternal and infant characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women in treatment for OUD who participated in G-PNC and those who did not.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 71 women (G-PNC n = 15; I-PNC n = 56) who were receiving treatment for OUD from one center and who delivered in 2019.

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Objective: For parents with opioid use disorder (OUD) and their children, group well child care (WCC) is an under-studied intervention that may reduce stigma, increase quality of care, and improve clinical outcomes. We explored barriers and facilitators to this intervention using an implementation science framework.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted from October 2020-March 2021 as part of the planning phase of a cluster-randomized trial of group WCC.

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Purpose: To describe the prevalence of food insecurity among pregnant and parenting women with opioid use disorder (OUD), its association with psychosocial health, and their experience with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infant Child (WIC) program.

Design: This cross-sectional study collected survey data through REDCAP.

Setting: The study was conducted at a single, urban, opioid treatment program.

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Background And Objectives: Characterizing common concerns for children with intrauterine opioid exposure (IOE) can inform tailored primary care.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of primary care data of children with IOE from birth to age two years within one multi-state pediatric health system. Well child care (WCC) and problem-based visit diagnoses were categorized, and descriptive statistics were tabulated.

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Background: Studies suggest that group-based well child care-a shared medical appointment where families come together as a group to receive pediatric primary care-increases patient-reported satisfaction and adherence to recommended care. Evidence supporting the use of group well child care for mothers with opioid use disorder, however, is lacking. The overall objective of the Child Healthcare at MATER Pediatric Study (CHAMPS) trial is to evaluate a group model of well child care for mothers with opioid use disorder and their children.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted on the delivery of clinical trials in the UK, posing complicated organisational challenges and requiring adaptations, especially to exercise intervention studies based in the community. We aim to identify the challenges of public involvement, recruitment, consent, follow-up, intervention and the healthcare professional delivery aspects of a feasibility study of exercise in hypertensive primary care patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. While these challenges elicited many reactive changes which were specific to, and only relevant in the context of 'lockdown' requirements, some of the protocol developments that came about during this unprecedented period have great potential to inform more permanent practices for carrying out this type of research.

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Objective: To describe and compare the outcomes of various menstrual-management methods, including method choice, continuation, bleeding patterns, amenorrhea rates, effect on moods and dysphoria, and side effects, in transgender and gender-diverse adolescents.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of all patients seen in a multidisciplinary pediatric gender program from March 2015 to December 2020 who were assigned female at birth, had achieved menarche, and used a menstrual-management method during the study period. Data were abstracted on patient demographics and menstrual-management method continuation, bleeding patterns, side effects, and satisfaction at 3 months (T1) and 1 year (T2).

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Background: Despite strong evidence about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, that is the baby receiving only breast milk, no other foods or liquids, rates have remained relatively unchanged over the past two decades in low- and middle-income countries. One strategy for increasing exclusive breastfeeding is through community-based programs that use peer counselors for education and support. The use of mobile health applications is also gaining increasing applicability in these countries.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study was conducted to evaluate how often women being treated for opioid use disorder (OUD) use preventive health services and what chronic health issues they face.
  • Of the 97 women surveyed, many reported poor health and chronic conditions; notably, 59% had at least one chronic health issue, and less than half had a routine medical exam in the past year.
  • The findings suggest a need for improved health care interventions for these women, focusing on increasing the use of preventive services and addressing their high rates of chronic diseases.
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Article Synopsis
  • Exclusive breastfeeding rates in low- and middle-income countries like India are low, and there's a need for mobile health apps that support peer counselors in promoting better breastfeeding practices.
  • The study developed and tested BEST4Baby, an app designed to aid peer counselors in providing in-home breastfeeding support to mothers in rural India, using a user-centered design approach involving stakeholders and mothers.
  • Results showed that the app was well-received by the peer counselors, who rated its usability highly, demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing barriers to exclusive breastfeeding practices.
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Objective: Previous research suggests gaps in well-child care (WCC) adherence, quality, and effectiveness for children impacted by parental opioid use disorder (OUD). The objective of this study was to gather in-depth information regarding maternal and clinician-reported factors that enhance ("facilitators") or hinder ("barriers") WCC engagement as well as mothers' experiences during WCC visits.

Methods: Thirty mothers who were in treatment for OUD and 13 clinicians working at a pediatric primary care clinic participated in this qualitative study.

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Background: The opioid crisis is a public health issue, contributing to poor maternal child health outcomes. A Mindfulness Based Parenting (MBP) intervention, part of the "Practicing Safety Mindfulness Project for Mothers in Drug Treatment" (PSMDT) study, was previously tested as an intervention to mitigate stress and improve parenting domains in a sample of parenting women in treatment for substance use disorder.

Methods: Qualitative data from focus groups and Mindfulness Based Parenting group teacher process notes were analyzed to understand how participants applied mindfulness to their daily lives and how mindfulness affected their relationship with their child(ren).

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Study Objective: To describe menstrual history, associated dysphoria, and desire for menstrual management in transgender male and gender diverse adolescents who were assigned female at birth DESIGN: Retrospective chart review SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital PARTICIPANTS: All patients seen in a multidisciplinary pediatric gender program from March 2015 through December 2020 who were assigned female at birth, identified as transgender male or gender nonbinary, and had achieved menarche INTERVENTION: None MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics, menstrual history, interest in and prior experiences with menstrual management, parental support, and concerns about menstrual management RESULTS: Of the 129 included patients, 116 (90%) identified as transgender male and 13 (10%) as gender nonbinary, with an average age of 15 (SD 1.6) years. Almost all (93%) patients reported menstrual-related dysphoria.

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Background: Pregnant women who have substance use disorders (SUDs) are at increased risk of preterm birth, fetal mortality, and inadequate prenatal care and have higher rates of childhood trauma than their counterparts without SUDs. Doulas have been utilized with other vulnerable populations who experience trauma to increase perinatal healthcare utilization, provide emotional support, and improve birth outcomes. The objective of the current study was to examine, in women with opioid use disorder (OUD), perceptions of working with a doula in the perinatal period.

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Objective: The objective of this study was to describe breastfeeding intention, knowledge, and attitude, and sources of infant feeding information during the prenatal period among a cohort of pregnant women in treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Study Design: Pregnant women who were receiving treatment for OUD and in the third trimester completed a questionnaire that measured demographic characteristics, infant feeding intentions, breastfeeding beliefs and attitudes, and sources of breastfeeding information. Frequency counts and percentages and means and standard deviations were used to describe data.

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