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Lovell H, Silverio SA, Story L, Skelton E, Matthew J. Factors which influence ethnic minority women's participation in maternity research: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282088. [PMID: 36827386 PMCID: PMC9956875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women from Black, Asian and mixed ethnicity backgrounds in the UK experience higher rates of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, and report poorer experiences of maternity care. Research is required to understand how to reduce these disparities, however, it is acknowledged these groups of women are under-represented in clinical research. AIM To investigate factors which influence participation in maternity research for women from an ethnic minority background. METHODS A systematic review was conducted to examine influencing factors for research participation. MEDLINE/CINHAL/PsycInfo/EMBASE databases were systematically searched in March 2021 and updated in March 2022. Papers were eligible if they explored maternal research participation and identified a woman's ethnicity in the results. No restrictions were placed on methodology. A convergent integrated approach was used to synthesise findings. FINDINGS A total of 14 papers met the inclusion criteria. Results were divided into eight overarching themes. A personalised approach to recruitment and incorporating culturally sensitive communication and considerations enhanced research participation. Distrust around sharing data, a perception of risk to research participation, and research lacking in personal relevance adversely affected the decision to participate. Large variation existed in the quality of the studies reviewed. CONCLUSIONS Consideration of a woman's culture and background in the design and the delivery of a maternity research study may facilitate participation, particularly when sampling from a specific population. Further research, informed by women from ethnic minority backgrounds is warranted to develop women-centred recommendations for conducting inclusive maternity research. Prospero registration: www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42021261686.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Lovell
- Maternity Services, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio A. Silverio
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Story
- Maternity Services, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Women & Children’s Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Skelton
- Division of Radiography and Midwifery, City University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline Matthew
- Maternity Services, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Teixeira R, Doetsch J, Freitas AI, Lorthe E, Santos AC, Barros H. Survey of data collection methods and retention strategies in European birth cohorts of children and adults born very preterm. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2022; 36:706-714. [PMID: 34958148 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long-term follow-up of very preterm and very low birthweight cohorts contributes to valuable evidence to understand life-course outcomes in these vulnerable populations. However, attrition is a major challenge in long-term outcome studies. Examining the techniques used by existing cohorts may help to reveal practices that enhance willingness to continue participation over time. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of data collection methods and retention strategies on overall retention in European birth cohorts of individuals born very preterm and very low birthweight. METHODS A survey of European cohorts integrated in the RECAP-preterm Consortium provided data on study characteristics, retention at the most recent follow-up, data collection methods and retention strategies. Cohorts were classified according to participants' age at most recent follow-up as child (<18) or adult cohorts (≥18 years old). RESULTS Data were obtained for 17 (81%) cohorts (7 adult and 10 child) in 12 countries. Considering the baseline, at the most recent follow-up, overall retention ranged from 10% to 99%. Child cohorts presented higher median retention (68% versus 38% or 52% for adult cohorts with ≤5 or >5 follow-ups) and used relatively more retention strategies. For contact and invitation, cohorts mostly resorted to invitation letters, and to face-to-face interviews for assessments. Study duration was negatively correlated with retention and positively associated with the number of follow-up evaluation. We identified 109 retention strategies, with a median of 6 per cohort; bond-building (n = 41; 38%) was the most utilised, followed by barrier-reduction (n = 36; 33%) and reminders (n = 32; 29%). Retention was not influenced by category or number of strategies. CONCLUSIONS Regular contact with cohort participants favour retention whilst neither the number nor the categories of retention strategies used seemed to have an influence, suggesting that tailored strategies focussed on participants at higher risk of dropout might be a more effective approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Teixeira
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
| | - Julia Doetsch
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Isabel Freitas
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
| | - Elsa Lorthe
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Santos
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Henrique Barros
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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den Harink T, Hoek A, Groen H, Roseboom TJ, Deutekom AV. Which factors play a role in the decision of mothers to participate in child follow-up examinations after participation in an RCT?: a semi-quantitative study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e057694. [PMID: 35981780 PMCID: PMC9394197 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine which factors contribute to the decision of mothers to participate with their child in follow-up (FU) examinations after participation in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) prior to conception. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey, including Likert-scale items. Comparisons will be made between respondents who participated in all FU rounds of data collection and those who did not participate in any FU round with their child. PARTICIPANTS Women who participated in an RCT investigating the effect of a preconception lifestyle intervention (LIFEstyle study: Netherlands Trial Register: NTR1530) were invited to participate with their child in three FU data collections when the child had a mean age of 4.2 years, 4.6 years and 6.5 years, respectively. FU rounds included a health questionnaire, physical examination and cardiac assessment, successively. RESULTS Sixty-seven respondents were included, of whom 7 (10%) did not participate in any FU round and 24 (36%) participated in all FU rounds. Women who participated with their child in all 3 FU data collection rounds felt more involved in the FU research (95.8%) and agreed more often that the FU was introduced well (91.7%) as compared with women that did not participate in any FU data collection round with their child (14.3% and 28.6%, respectively). Participants of FU rounds more often agreed that participation felt like a health check for their child as compared with non-participants. In addition, participants of the physical examination and cardiac assessment more often let their decision to participate depend fully on their child, as compared with non-participants (39.4% vs 17.7% and 52.5% vs 24%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS To increase participation rates in future FU studies of children after maternal participation in an RCT, we suggest to involve women in the design of the FU study, to emphasise possible perceived benefits of participation and to encourage women to actively involve their child in the decision of participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara den Harink
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development research institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemieke Hoek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Groen
- Department of Epidemiology, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa J Roseboom
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development research institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arend van Deutekom
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Lip S, Dempster G, Jain S, Brooksbank K, Ghouri N, McCallum L, Padmanabhan S. Underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in hypertension research-a survey of enablers and barriers among South Asian and African communities in Glasgow. Trials 2022; 23:609. [PMID: 35906700 PMCID: PMC9335986 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06542-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension is the biggest contributor to the global cardiovascular burden with evidence for ethnic differences in treatment response and outcomes. Under-representation of ethnic minorities in clinical research is well known, and despite wide-ranging public engagement events by the Glasgow Blood Pressure Clinic team, there was a lack of participation of ethnic minorities in both engagement activities and clinical trials conducted by them. This study aims to explore the awareness and knowledge of hypertension and the facilitators and barriers to participation in hypertension clinical research among South Asian (SA) and African (AFR) communities in Glasgow. METHODS A survey questionnaire was co-developed with representatives from South Asian (SA) and African (AFR) patients and community members in Glasgow to understand awareness and knowledge of hypertension and enablers and barriers to participation in clinical research. The survey was distributed to adults (aged > 18) years of SA or AFR ancestry at public engagement events at venues that were frequently visited by these two communities in Glasgow. RESULTS The survey response rate was 337 (67.4%) consisting of 242 (71.8%) South Asian (SA) and 56 (16.9%) African (AFR) respondents. Thirty-nine questionnaires were excluded because of incompletion. Most of the respondents were not born in the UK and were in the 35-53-year group (AFR 29 (51%), SA 113 (47%)). The proportion living in the most deprived (SIMD 1) and least deprived (SIMD 5) was respectively 26 (12.4%) and 34 (16.2%) for SA and 20 (42.6%) and 2 (4.3%) for AFR. There was a considerable recognition that treatment needs to be ethnicity-specific (SA/AFR = 107 (48%)/23 (45.1%)) and that current cardiovascular disease treatment guidelines were not tailored for different ethnicities 84 (38.5%)/23 (45.1%). The key enablers encouraging research participation are enhanced health information, conducting aspects of their clinical research visits/appointments at a location they frequently visited and allowing a family member to accompany them. Barriers included concerns about the use of personal information and side effects of the new treatment. CONCLUSION Our survey confirmed enablers and barriers to ethnic minority participation in research. We find improving and evolving awareness and beliefs among the ethnic minority population including community leaders. Thus, continual review of researchers' beliefs and attitudes is also essential to ensure engagement activities keep up with these changing perceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Lip
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Georgia Dempster
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sahil Jain
- Department of Rheumatology and General Internal Medicine, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Katriona Brooksbank
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nazim Ghouri
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Linsay McCallum
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sandosh Padmanabhan
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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Franke N, Rogers J, Wouldes T, Ward K, Brown G, Jonas M, Keegan P, Harding J. Experiences of parents whose children participated in a longitudinal follow-up study. Health Expect 2022; 25:1352-1362. [PMID: 35393722 PMCID: PMC9327855 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Long‐term follow‐up is necessary to understand the impact of perinatal interventions. Exploring parents' motives and experiences in consenting to their children taking part in longitudinal studies and understanding what outcomes are important to families may enhance participation and mitigate the loss to follow‐up. As existing evidence is largely based on investigators' perspectives using Western samples, the present pilot study explored parents' perspectives in a multicultural New Zealand context. Methods Data were generated using semi‐structured interviews with parents whose children had participated in a longitudinal study after neonatal recruitment. Parents' experiences of being part of the study were analysed thematically using an inductive approach. Results Parents (n = 16) were generally happy with the outcomes measured. Additionally, parents were interested in lifelong goals such as the impact of parental diabetes. We identified three themes: (1) Facilitators: Research participation was aided by motives and parent and research characteristics such as wishing to help others and straightforward recruitment; (2) Barriers: A hesitancy to participate was due to technical and clinical research aspects, participation burden and cultural barriers, such as complex wording, time commitment and nonindigenous research and (3) Benefits: Children and parents experienced advantages such as the opportunity for education. Conclusions Parents reported positive experiences and described the unexpected benefit of increasing families' health knowledge through participation. Improvements for current follow‐up studies were identified. Different ethnicities reported different experiences and perspectives, which warrants ongoing research, particularly with indigenous research participants. Patient or Public Contribution No active partnership with parents of patients took place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nike Franke
- Liggins Institute, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jennifer Rogers
- Liggins Institute, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Trecia Wouldes
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kim Ward
- Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gavin Brown
- Learning, Development and Professional Practice, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Monique Jonas
- Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Keegan
- Te Puna Wananga, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jane Harding
- Liggins Institute, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Increased interaction and procedural flexibility favoured participation: Study across European cohorts of preterm born individuals. J Clin Epidemiol 2021; 143:169-177. [PMID: 34965477 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand participation and attrition phenomena variability in European cohorts of individuals born preterm through in-depth exploration of the interplay of situational elements involved. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Multi-situated qualitative design, using focus groups, semi-structured interviews and collaborative visual methodology with a purposive sample of adults born preterm, parents and professionals (N=124) from eight cohorts in seven European countries. RESULTS Most cohort participants were motivated by altruism/solidarity and gratitude/sense of duty to reciprocate (only absent in adults aged 19-21), followed by expectation of direct benefit to one's health and knowledge amongst participating adults. Common deterrents were perceived failure in reciprocity as in insufficient/inadequate interaction and information sharing, and postal questionnaires. Combining multipurpose, flexible strategies for contact and assessment, reminders, face-to-face and shorter periodicity and not simply adding retention strategies or financial incentives favoured participation. Professionals' main challenges entailed resources, funding and, European societal changes related to communication and geopolitical environment. CONCLUSION Retention would benefit from tailoring inclusive strategies throughout the cohorts' life cycle and consistent promotion of reciprocal altruistic research goals. Investing in regular interaction, flexibility in procedures, participant involvement and return of results can help mitigate attrition as well as considering mothers as main facilitators to participating children and impaired adults.
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7
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Participant mothers' attitudes toward genetic analysis in a birth cohort study. J Hum Genet 2021; 66:671-679. [PMID: 33495570 PMCID: PMC8225506 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-020-00894-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
To conduct a long-term birth cohort study that includes genetic analysis, it is crucial to understand the attitudes of participants to genetic analysis and then take appropriate approaches for addressing their ambiguous and negative attitudes. This study aimed to explore participants’ attitudes toward genetic analysis and associated background factors among mothers who were enrolled in a large Japanese birth cohort. A questionnaire was sent to participants’ households, and the responses of 1762 mothers (34.0%) were used for the study. The majority of mothers recognized genetic analysis for themselves and their children and sharing of genetic data as beneficial. A low knowledge level of genomic terminology was associated with ambiguous attitudes toward genetic analysis and data sharing. Education level was positively associated with the recognition of the benefits of genetic analysis. Concern about handling genetic information was associated with the unacceptability of data sharing. Trust was associated with the approval of genetic analysis. Most mothers preferred that genetic analysis results be returned. These findings suggest the need for multiple efforts to maximize participants’ acceptance of genetic analysis, such as utilizing an educational approach to encourage familiarity with genetics/genomics, optimizing explanations for different educational levels, and explicitly disclosing the handling policy for genetic information.
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8
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Marques SCS, Doetsch J, Abate G, Brødsgaard A, Colombo G, Cuttini M, Pedersen P, Barros H. Understanding participation in European cohort studies of preterm children: the views of parents, healthcare professionals and researchers. BMC Med Res Methodol 2021; 21:19. [PMID: 33430773 PMCID: PMC7802270 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-020-01206-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retention of participants in cohort studies is a major challenge. A better understanding of all elements involved in participation and attrition phenomena in particular settings is needed to develop effective retention strategies. The study aimed to achieve an in-depth understanding of participant retention in longitudinal cohorts focusing on participants' and researcher's perspectives, across three diverse socio-geographic and cultural settings. METHODS This study used a triangulation of multi-situated methods to collect data on cohort studies of children born with less than 32 weeks of gestation in Denmark, Italy and Portugal. It included focus groups and individual semi-driven interviewing with involved key actors (i.e. parents, staff, healthcare professionals, researchers) and a collaborative visual methodology. A purposive sample of 48 key actors (n = 13 in Denmark; n = 13 in Italy; n = 22 in Portugal) was collected. A triangulation of phenomenological thematic analysis with discourse analysis was applied. Cross-contextual and context-specific situational elements involved in participation and attrition phenomena in these child cohorts were identified at various levels and stages. RESULTS Main findings included: situational challenges affecting potential and range of possibilities for implementation strategies (geopolitical environment, societal changes, research funding models); situational elements related to particular strategies acting as deterrents (postal questionnaires) and facilitators (multiple flexible strategies, reminders, regular interaction); main motivations to enrol and participate (altruism/solidarity and gratitude/sense of duty to reciprocate); main motivational deterrents to participate to follow-up waves (lack of bonding, insufficient feedback); entanglement of clinical and research follow-up as facilitator and deterrent. CONCLUSIONS The multi-situated approach used, addressing the interplay of the lived experience of individuals, was of most value to understand participation variability under different implemented strategies in-context. Cross-contextual and context-specific situational elements that have been influential factors towards participation and attrition in the cohorts were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra C S Marques
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-091, Porto, Portugal.,Centro em Rede de Investigação em Antropologia, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Julia Doetsch
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-091, Porto, Portugal
| | - Georgia Abate
- Clinical Care and Management Innovation Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anne Brødsgaard
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, HEALTH, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Grazia Colombo
- Clinical Care and Management Innovation Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Cuttini
- Clinical Care and Management Innovation Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Pernille Pedersen
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Henrique Barros
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-091, Porto, Portugal.
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Chang WH. COVID-19 pandemic's effects on the quality of pregnant women's emergency treatment: Review of two cases from a medical center in northern Taiwan. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 59:795-800. [PMID: 33218391 PMCID: PMC7832363 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in a high risk of infection in hospitals worldwide. The medical staff in emergency rooms, in particular, have borne the brunt of the pandemic, and strict protection measures are needed to avoid infection in these units. Taiwan as a whole has performed extremely well in this epidemic, an achievement that has been acknowledged internationally. This success can be attributed to the Taiwan Epidemic Prevention Management Center's extensive experience and courageous strategy. The emergency department professionals of all hospitals, in conjunction with the outstanding performance of the center's policy, have also done much to control the infection's spread. However, excessive protection can also negatively affect patients' safety and the quality of medical care, especially for pregnant and parturient women. This article uses two actual cases from a medical center in northern Taiwan to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women. This case study serves to highlight that, to ensure more effective coordination during severe epidemics, a comprehensive infection prevention plan should be formulated. In addition, pregnant women's human rights must be safeguarded so that various protective mechanisms can be effectively used to achieve win-win solutions. Hospitals need to plan their production methods and timing in advance for when pregnant patients are in critical condition. The findings include that obstetricians recommend caesarean sections as a safer method in during epidemics. Emergency room physicians and obstetricians should also actively assist mothers prepare for birth to enhance maternal and fetal safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Han Chang
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Emergency Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Mechatronic Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Emergency, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Daniele MAS, Martinez-Alvarez M, Etyang AK, Vidler M, Salisbury T, Makanga PT, Musitia P, Flint-O'Kane M, Brown TW, Diallo BA, Boene H, Stones W, von Dadelszen P, Magee LA, Sandall J. The contribution of qualitative research within the PRECISE study in sub-Saharan Africa. Reprod Health 2020; 17:58. [PMID: 32354359 PMCID: PMC7191675 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-020-0875-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The PRECISE Network is a cohort study established to investigate hypertension, fetal growth restriction and stillbirth (described as "placental disorders") in Kenya, Mozambique and The Gambia. Several pregnancy or birth cohorts have been set up in low- and middle-income countries, focussed on maternal and child health. Qualitative research methods are sometimes used alongside quantitative data collection from these cohorts. Researchers affiliated with PRECISE are also planning to use qualitative methods, from the perspective of multiple subject areas. This paper provides an overview of the different ways in which qualitative research methods can contribute to achieving PRECISE's objectives, and discusses the combination of qualitative methods with quantitative cohort studies more generally.We present planned qualitative work in six subject areas (health systems, health geography, mental health, community engagement, the implementation of the TraCer tool, and respectful maternity care). Based on these plans, with reference to other cohort studies on maternal and child health, and in the context of the methodological literature on mixed methods approaches, we find that qualitative work may have several different functions in relation to cohort studies, including informing the quantitative data collection or interpretation. Researchers may also conduct qualitative work in pursuit of a complementary research agenda. The degree to which integration between qualitative and quantitative methods will be sought and achieved within PRECISE remains to be seen. Overall, we conclude that the synergies resulting from the combination of cohort studies with qualitative research are an asset to the field of maternal and child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina A S Daniele
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Science, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 5th Floor, Becket House, 1 Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EU, UK
| | - Melisa Martinez-Alvarez
- Medical Research Council Unit in The Gambia, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Angela Koech Etyang
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, East Africa, Aga Khan University in East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Marianne Vidler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tatiana Salisbury
- Department of Health Service & Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience,, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Prestige Tatenda Makanga
- Department of Surveying and Geomatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Peris Musitia
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, East Africa, Aga Khan University in East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Meriel Flint-O'Kane
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Science, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 5th Floor, Becket House, 1 Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EU, UK
- MARCH Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Tanya Wells Brown
- MARCH Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Brahima Amara Diallo
- Medical Research Council Unit in The Gambia, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helena Boene
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Maputo Province, Mozambique
| | - William Stones
- Department of Public Health and Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Peter von Dadelszen
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Science, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 5th Floor, Becket House, 1 Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EU, UK
| | - Laura A Magee
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Science, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 5th Floor, Becket House, 1 Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EU, UK
| | - Jane Sandall
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Science, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 5th Floor, Becket House, 1 Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EU, UK.
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Harvey ME, David AL, Dyer J, Spencer R. Pregnant women's experiences and perceptions of participating in the EVERREST prospective study; a qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2019; 19:144. [PMID: 31039749 PMCID: PMC6492343 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-019-2277-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The EVERREST Prospective Study is a multicentre observational cohort study of pregnancies affected by severe early-onset fetal growth restriction. The study recruits women with singleton pregnancies where the estimated fetal weight is less than the 3rd centile and below 600 g, between 20 + 0 and 26 + 6 weeks of pregnancy, in the absence of a known chromosomal, structural or infective cause. Method The reported study was retrospective descriptive qualitative interview study of women who had participated in the EVERREST Prospective Study. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of pregnant women taking part in research during a pregnancy affected by severe early-onset fetal growth restriction. Audio-recorded semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 12 women, at least 1 year after delivery of their baby. Two of these pregnancies had ended in stillbirth and one in neonatal death, reflecting the outcomes seen in the EVERREST Prospective Study. Participants gave informed consent, were 16 years or older and were interviewed in English. A topic guide was used to ensure a consistent approach. Questions focused on pregnancy experiences, involvement with the EVERREST study and potential involvement in future research. Recordings were transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis using NVivo10. Results Four broad themes were identified; ‘before joining the EVERREST Prospective Study’, ‘participating in research’, ‘information and support’ and ‘looking back and looking forwards’. Each broad theme incorporated several subthemes. All participants recalled their reaction to being told their baby was smaller than expected. The way this news was given had a lasting impact. A range of benefits of participation in the EVERREST Prospective Study were described and the participants were positive about the way it was conducted. As a consequence, they were receptive to participating in future research. However, the findings suggest that research teams should be sensitive when approaching families at a difficult time or when they are already participating in other research. Conclusions This study highlights the willingness of pregnant women to participate in research and identifies strategies for researchers to engage participants. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-019-2277-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merryl E Harvey
- Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, City South Campus, Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3TN, UK
| | - Anna L David
- EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7DN, UK
| | - Jade Dyer
- Comprehensive Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Clinical Trials & Methodology, University College London, 90 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6LJ, UK
| | - Rebecca Spencer
- EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, 86-98 Chenies Mews, London, WC1E 6HX, UK.
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Ayoub JJ, Abiad M, Forman MR, Honein-AbouHaidar G, Naja F. The interaction of personal, contextual, and study characteristics and their effect on recruitment and participation of pregnant women in research: a qualitative study in Lebanon. BMC Med Res Methodol 2018; 18:155. [PMID: 30497391 PMCID: PMC6267028 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-018-0616-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Declining participation rates are impeding health research. Little is known about factors influencing the decision to participate in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Therefore, this paper reports on the various individual factors and their with contextual factors in influencing participation in research among pregnant women and the recommendations to enhance their recruitment in Lebanon. Methods This study used a qualitative research design drawing on focus groups and in-depth interviews. The Theoretical Domain Framework guided data collection and analysis. The three participant groups included: Group 1-Pregnant women (n = 25) attending public pre-natal events and antenatal clinics in Beirut; Group 2-Pregnant women (n = 6) already enrolled in the ongoing Mother and Infant Nutritional Assessment birth cohort study; Group 3-Key informants (n = 13) including health care workers involved in recruiting pregnant women. Conversations were audio recorded, transcribed, translated into English, and thematically analyzed. Results Three main factors influencing participation were revealed, with each factor encompassing several sub-themes: (1) personal factors (altruism, self-confidence, personal interest in the topic, previous understanding of the nature and purpose of research, education level, and previous research experience), (2) contextual factors (societal factors, family and friends), and (3) study characteristics (burden of the study, ethical considerations, incentives, and research interpersonal skills and physician endorsement to participate). The results suggested a dynamic interaction among the identified factors, forming two intersecting axes, with a four-quadrant configuration. The y- and x-axes represented personal factors and contextual factors, respectively. Individuals positioned on the lower-left quadrant were the least likely to participate; those on the upper-right quadrant were the most likely to participate; while those on the upper-left and lower-right quadrants were indecisive. Study characteristics seemed to affect the decision of pregnant women to participate situated in any of the four quadrants. Specific recommendations to improve participation were also identified. Conclusions Our findings suggested an interaction of personal factors, contextual factors, and study characteristics affecting subjects’ participation. This interaction integrates factors into a novel dynamic framework that could be used in future studies. The recommendations identified may help improve participation of pregnant women in health research hence enhancing the quality and generalizability of research findings in LMIC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12874-018-0616-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Ayoub
- Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - May Abiad
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Michele R Forman
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | | | - Farah Naja
- Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Ri I, Suda E, Yamagata Z, Nitta H, Muto K. "Telling" and assent: Parents' attitudes towards children's participation in a birth cohort study. Health Expect 2018; 21:358-366. [PMID: 28940972 PMCID: PMC5750772 DOI: 10.1111/hex.12630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION One of the ethical issues surrounding birth cohort studies is how to obtain informed assent from children as they grow up. What and how parents tell their children affects children's future choices about the study, yet few studies have focused on parents' influence on children. OBJECTIVE This study examines parents' attitudes towards telling their children about their participation in a specific birth cohort study. METHODS We conducted surveys and in-depth interviews with the parents of children who participated in the "Japan Environment and Children's Study" (JECS), which follows children from the foetal stage to age 13. RESULTS Forty-four mothers and 23 fathers answered the survey, and 11 mothers and 3 fathers participated in in-depth interviews. Parents' attitudes towards "telling" were categorized into 3 communication styles depending on their perception of the risk/benefits for their children. Most parents predicted that the study would benefit their children and preferred "directive telling," which we divided into "empowered telling" (provides children with a positive identity as participants) and "persuasive telling" (attempts to persuade children even if they express reluctance as they grow). A few parents, weighing the study's potential risk, preferred "non-directive telling," which respects children's choices even if that means withdrawing from the study. DISCUSSION While "directive telling" may lead children to have positive associations with the study, children should also be told about the risks. Investigators can provide materials that support parents and give children age-appropriate information about their participation, as well as ensure opportunities for children to express their feelings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izen Ri
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information StudiesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Eiko Suda
- National Institute for Environmental StudiesTsukubaJapan
| | - Zentaro Yamagata
- Department of Health SciencesInterdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and EngineeringUniversity of YamanashiChuoJapan
| | - Hiroshi Nitta
- National Institute for Environmental StudiesTsukubaJapan
| | - Kaori Muto
- Department of Public PolicyThe Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
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Coathup V, Hamakawa N, Finlay T, Bell J, Kaye J, Kato K. Participant-Centric Initiatives and Medical Research: Scoping Review Protocol. JMIR Res Protoc 2017; 6:e245. [PMID: 29233800 PMCID: PMC5743923 DOI: 10.2196/resprot.7407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Significant advances in digital technologies have meant that health care data can be collected, stored, transferred, and analyzed for research purposes more easily than ever before. Participant-centric initiatives (PCI) are defined as “tools, programs, and projects that empower participants to engage in the research process” using digital technologies and have the potential to provide a number of benefits to both participants and researchers, including the promotion of public trust in medical research, improved quality of research, increased recruitment and retention, and improved health care delivery. Objective The main objective of this scoping review is to describe the extent and range of PCIs across the United Kingdom, United States, and Japan that are designed to facilitate medical research. Methods The methodological framework described by Levac et al will be applied to this scoping review. We will search electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing, and Allied Health Literature and CiNii), grey literature sources, Internet search engines (Google and Bing), and hand search key journals and reference lists of relevant articles. All digital tools and programs will be eligible for inclusion if there is a description of key features and functions that fall within the parameters of a PCI. Only those that play a role in medical research will be included. Results Preliminary searches conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE retrieved 1820 and 2322 results, respectively. The scoping review will be completed by January 2018. Conclusions The scoping review will be the first to map the extent and range of PCIs currently available across the United Kingdom, United States, and Japan, and will be the first review to contribute to a better understanding of what PCIs patients may benefit from. Researchers and practitioners will be able to use information in this review as a guide for patients and also as a guide for the development of future tools and programs. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Coathup
- Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nao Hamakawa
- Department of Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Teresa Finlay
- Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Bell
- Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Kaye
- Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kazuto Kato
- Department of Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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