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Alwahaibi N, Al-Julandani R, Al-Kalbani A. The role and effect of companions during childbirth in Oman. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:47. [PMID: 38195477 PMCID: PMC10775649 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06256-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that a companionship is an important tool for improving the quality of care provided to pregnant women during the labour and delivery process. The literature review shows very limited studies assessing the role of companions during childbirth from the companion's point of view. Many published papers studied the role and satisfaction of pregnant women but not their companions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the role and effect of companions during childbirth in Oman. METHODS This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, between June 2022 and April 2023. Companions were interviewed face-to-face at a time convenient to them. A telephone interview was conducted with those who left the hospital early. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic data and other sections, including the nature of the help provided by the supportive companion, their effects on the women who gave birth, and the timing of their presence during companionship. RESULTS A total of 214 companions were included in this study with the mean age of 42.54 years. The most common relationship to the pregnant women was mothers (35.7%), followed by husbands (30.5%). The majority of companions provided support during admission (62.6%), in the immediate post-partum ward (56.5%) and during delivery (54.2%), while a minority helped from admission to discharge (22.4%). The most common type of support provided was encouraging words (89.7%) followed by transferring things (43.9%), massage (37.4%) and touch (33.6%). The majority of companions (96.7%) reported that their support helped very much, and the pregnant women felt better and calmer. CONCLUSIONS Labouring women felt better and calmer because of the presence of companions. Companions preferred to be present in the postpartum and during labour and delivery. The majority of companions support their labouring women by encouraging wards. Companions love and encourage others to support their labouring women during their critical times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasar Alwahaibi
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, Muscat, 123, Oman.
| | - Rodina Al-Julandani
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, Muscat, 123, Oman
| | - Alzarah Al-Kalbani
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, Muscat, 123, Oman
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Mousa O, Salameh B, Alqahtani M, David M, Almefarfesh AA, Duhilan DA, Ghaly AS, Alsadaan N, Reshia FAA, Alsandal ZMA. Women's attitudes, prevalence, related factors, and perceived barriers of birth companionship in Saudi Arabia. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 20:17455057231224553. [PMID: 38279816 PMCID: PMC10822074 DOI: 10.1177/17455057231224553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends companionship as a critical element of respectful maternity care. However, there is paucity of literature regarding women's attitudes, related factors, and barriers of implementation in Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess women's attitudes toward birth companionship during labor and delivery, related factors, and barriers of implementing labor companionship in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN/METHODS This study was carried out in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, using a cross-sectional design. The data collection took place over a period of approximately 6 months, specifically from 16 August 2021 to 20 February 2022. A total of 418 women who had given birth at three governmental hospitals and three private hospitals in Al Ahsa participated in the survey. The study included women between the ages of 18 and 49 years who had delivered during the study period. RESULTS The study revealed that while around 82.8% of mothers expressed a desire for companionship during labor, only 43.2% actually had a labor companion present during delivery. The primary obstacle to labor companionship reported by 21.5% of respondents was hospital policies. Other barriers identified included husbands' fear of being present during labor (4.7%) and limited availability of time for companionship (3.8%). CONCLUSION The study concludes that birth companionship is highly desired by women in the study area. However, various physical, emotional, and institutional barriers, such as hospital policies and regulations, impede its implementation. Addressing these barriers and promoting supportive policies are essential to facilitate the provision of birth companionship and improve the childbirth experience for women in Al Ahsa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola Mousa
- Faculty of Nursing, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Basma Salameh
- Department of Nursing, Arab American University, Jenin, Palestine
| | - Mohammed Alqahtani
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryshela David
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aishah A Almefarfesh
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Duaa Al Duhilan
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asmaa Saber Ghaly
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nourah Alsadaan
- Nursing Administration and Education Department, College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fadia Ahmed Abdelkader Reshia
- Medical Surgical Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
- Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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Bohren MA, Hazfiarini A, Vazquez Corona M, Colomar M, De Mucio B, Tunçalp Ö, Portela A. From global recommendations to (in)action: A scoping review of the coverage of companion of choice for women during labour and birth. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001476. [PMID: 36963069 PMCID: PMC10021298 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Women greatly value and benefit from the presence of someone they trust to support them throughout labour and childbirth ('labour companion of choice'). Labour companionship improves maternal and perinatal outcomes, including enhancing physiological labour and birth experiences. Despite clear benefits, implementation is slow. We conducted a scoping review to assess coverage and models of labour companionship, including quantitative studies reporting coverage of labour companionship in any level health facility globally. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Global Health from 1 January 2010-14 December 2021. We extracted data on study design, labour companionship coverage, timing and type of companions allowed, and recoded data into categories for comparison across studies. We included data from a maternal health sentinel network of hospitals in Latin America, using descriptive statistics to assess coverage among 120,581 women giving birth in these sites from April 2018-April 2022. In the scoping review, we included 77 studies from 27 countries. There was wide variation in the coverage of labour companionship: almost one-third of studies reported coverage less than 40%, and one-third of studies reported coverage between 40-80%. Husbands or partners were the most frequent companion (37.7%, 29/77), followed by family member or friend (gender not specified) (32.5%, 25/77), family member or friend (female-only) (13.0%, 10/77). Across nine sentinel hospitals in five Latin American countries, there was variation in coverage, with no companion at any time ranging from 14.9%-93.8%. Despite the well-known benefits and factors affecting implementation of labour companionship, more work is needed to improve equitable coverage. Concerted efforts are needed to engage with communities, health workers, health managers, and policy-makers to establish policies, address implementation barriers, and integrate data on coverage into perinatal records and quality processes to ensure that all women have access. Harmonized reporting of labour companionship would greatly enhance understanding at global level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan A Bohren
- Gender and Women's Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alya Hazfiarini
- Gender and Women's Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Martha Vazquez Corona
- Gender and Women's Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mercedes Colomar
- The Latin American Center for Perinatology/Women´s and Reproductive Health Unit, Pan American Health Organization, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Bremen De Mucio
- The Latin American Center for Perinatology/Women´s and Reproductive Health Unit, Pan American Health Organization, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Özge Tunçalp
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anayda Portela
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Khalil M, Carasso KB, Kabakian-Khasholian T. Exposing Obstetric Violence in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Review of Women's Narratives of Disrespect and Abuse in Childbirth. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 3:850796. [PMID: 35547827 PMCID: PMC9082810 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.850796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Obstetric violence (OV) threatens the provision of dignified, rights-based, high-quality, and respectful maternal care (RMC). The dearth of evidence on OV in the Eastern Mediterranean Region poses a knowledge gap requiring research to improve rights-based and respectful health practice and policy. While efforts to improve the quality of maternal health have long-existed, women's experiences of childbirth and perceptions of dignity and respect are not adequately or systematically recorded, especially in the said region. Aim This study centered on the experiences of women's mistreatment in childbirth to provide an overview of OV and offer recommendations to improve RMC. Methods A scoping review was conducted, and a total of 38 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using Bowser and Hill's framework of the seven typologies of Disrespect and Abuse (D&A) in childbirth. D&A in childbirth (or violations to RMC) is a manifestation of OV and served as a proxy to analyze its prevalence in the EMR. Findings and Discussion This study indicated that across the EMR, women experienced every type of D&A in childbirth. This happens regardless of health systems' strength or country's income, with 6 out of 7 types of D&A found in almost two-thirds of included countries. In the EMR, the most common types of D&A in childbirth are physical abuse (especially overused routine interventions) and non-dignified care (embedded in patriarchal socio-cultural norms). The intersections of these abuses enable the objectification of women's bodies and overuse of unconsented routine interventions in a hierarchical and patriarchal system that regards the power and autonomy of doctors above birthing women. If unchecked, the implications include acceptance, continuation, and underreporting of D&A in childbirth, as well as passivity toward human-rights violations, which all further cause the continuing the cycle of OV. Conclusion In order to eliminate OV, a paradigm shift is required involving infrastructure changes, education, empowerment, advocacy, a women-centered and gender-sensitive approach to health system strengthening, and policy development. Recommendations are given at individual, community, health systems, and policy levels to ensure that every woman achieves her right to health and birth in a dignified, respectful, and empowered manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merette Khalil
- Your Egyptian Doula, Cairo, Egypt
- International Course for Health and Development, Health Unit, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Merette Khalil
| | - Kashi Barbara Carasso
- International Course for Health and Development, Health Unit, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tamar Kabakian-Khasholian
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Hunie Asratie M, Mohammed Assfaw H, Abuhay M. Labor Companionship in Labor and Delivery at Debremarkos Town Public Health Facilities: Magnitude and Associated Factors. Int J Womens Health 2021; 13:815-827. [PMID: 34526827 PMCID: PMC8437416 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s327753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Labor companionship is a human interactive process that provides social support during the childbirth process. Despite it being one component of respectful maternity care (RMC) that is used for quality assurance to achieve the sustainable goal of maternal and neonatal mortality reduction, there is limited evidence about the current status of birth companionship. The study was aimed to assess labor companion and its associated factors at Debremarkos town public health facilities. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. The study was conducted at Debremarkos town from February 1/2021 to March 30/2021. From the 559 sample size, 548 women participated in the study. A systematic random sampling technique was used. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questioner was used, data were entered and analyzed with Epi-data version 4.60 and SPSS version 25.0. Bivariable regression was done and variables with p-value </= 0.20 were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. Variables with p-value </= 0.05 were considered significantly associated with labor companionship. Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness of fit was checked and all multi-collinearity of variables with variance inflation factors (VIF) up to 10 was tolerated. Results A total of 548 participants were involved in the study with a 98.03% response rate. The magnitude of labor companionship was found to be 14.6% (11.7–17.5). Women who had complicated pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=5.53; 95% CI: 3.09–9.92), women's desire for a labor companion (AOR=3.63; 95% CI: 1.51–8.69), being primipara (AOR=3.49; 95% CI: 1.93–6.35), labor followed by female skilled birth attendant (AOR=0.37;95% CI: 0.17–0.82), and women’s perceived busyness of skilled birth attendant (AOR=0.13;95% CI: 0.07–0.23) were significantly associated with labor companionship. Conclusions Labor companionship was found to be low. Giving emphasis on the desire, primipara, complicated pregnancy, sex of skilled birth attendant and women perceived busy skilled birth attendant were suggested for the improvement of labor companionship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melaku Hunie Asratie
- Department of Women's and Family Health, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Hussien Mohammed Assfaw
- Department of Clinical Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mulunesh Abuhay
- Department of Women's and Family Health, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Abdulghani N, Cooklin A, Edvardsson K, Amir LH. Mothers' perceptions and experiences of skin-to-skin contact after vaginal birth in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. Women Birth 2021; 35:e60-e67. [PMID: 33608236 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PROBLEM The World Health Organization recommends immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth, however, worldwide, separation of mothers and infant is common. BACKGROUND In Saudi Arabia, there is a lack of research exploring mothers' experiences of skin-to-skin contact after birth. AIM To estimate the rate of skin-to-skin contact and describe mothers' perceptions and experiences of immediate skin-to-skin contact after vaginal birth in two largest hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS A cross-sectional study conducted in 2017. A total of 254 mothers completed the survey on the postnatal ward (92 % response rate). The survey consisted of 36 closed and open-ended items. Data were described using summary statistics and free text comments were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS The rate of direct skin-to-skin contact was 15%. A further 54% of mothers had the baby placed on their chest/abdomen but with a sheet/gown between them. Mothers reported favourable perceptions towards skin-to-skin contact and reported the practice as acceptable (67%). Most mothers did not express concerns about feeling exposed (85%) or that skin-to-skin contact was inconsistent with norms of modesty or culture (87%). The free text comments indicated that most mothers felt positive about their experience of skin-to-skin contact, while some mothers felt overwhelmed and unprepared. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Skin-to-skin contact was not routinely implemented after birth and the rate was low. Mothers held positive perceptions and wanted to practice skin-to-skin contact. Policy makers and clinicians should acknowledge mothers' needs and feelings by facilitating skin-to-skin contact to achieve optimal outcomes for mothers and infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawal Abdulghani
- Faculty of Nursing, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Amanda Cooklin
- Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kristina Edvardsson
- Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lisa H Amir
- Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Alshahrani MS. An evaluation of the different types of labor pain relief, preferred methods of pain relief, and effects of social media on awareness and knowledge among pregnant women. A cross-sectional study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 2019; 40:914-921. [PMID: 31522219 PMCID: PMC6790491 DOI: 10.15537/smj.2019.9.24511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the attitudes of pregnant women towards different forms of labor pain relief, preferred methods of pain relief, and the effects of social media on their awareness and knowledge. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between April and August 2017 in the Maternity and Children’s Hospital, Najran, Saudi Arabia. A total of 416 pregnant women were interviewed and analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: A total of 62.7% were aware of labor pain. However, 58.7% of the total sample group was unaware of labor pain relief, and 79.8% of the total sample group was unaware of the different forms of labor pain relief available. Educational level was significantly associated with awareness and knowledge of labor pain relief (p=0.001). The majority of pregnant women obtained information from friends (57.5%); and only 16.1% of women received information from their health care providers. Conclusion: Most of the pregnant women recruited into this study had insufficient awareness of labor pain and methods of pain relief. They acquired their information from their friends and families rather than from their health care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majed S Alshahrani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail.
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Shaban IA, Al-Awamreh K, Mohammad K, Gharaibeh H. Postnatal women's perspectives on the feasibility of introducing postpartum home visits: a Jordanian study. Home Health Care Serv Q 2018; 37:247-258. [PMID: 29558322 DOI: 10.1080/01621424.2018.1454865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
In Jordan, there is a deficiency in postnatal care provided to women and their newborns. This study investigated the feasibility of initiating postnatal home visits in Jordan. Thirty Jordanian mothers who had recently given birth were recruited from two governmental hospitals in the northern region of Jordan to participate in a qualitative study through face-to-face, voice-recorded interviews. The findings revealed that initiating postnatal home visits as part of postnatal care was well-received by the participants. Mothers' views and perceptions regarding postpartum home visits play an integral role in finding areas to improve postnatal services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insaf A Shaban
- a Faculty of Nursing , Al al-Bayt University , Marfraq , Jordan
| | | | - Khitam Mohammad
- b Faculty of Nursing , Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid , Jordan
| | - Huda Gharaibeh
- b Faculty of Nursing , Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid , Jordan
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Kabakian-Khasholian T, Portela A. Companion of choice at birth: factors affecting implementation. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2017; 17:265. [PMID: 28854903 PMCID: PMC5577840 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-017-1447-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two recent recommendations made by the World Health Organization confirm the benefits of companion of choice at birth on labour outcomes; however institutional practices and policies do not always support its implementation in different settings around the world. We conducted a review to determine factors that affect implementation of this intervention considering the perspectives and experiences of different stakeholders and other institutional, systemic barriers and facilitators. METHODS Forty one published studies were included in this review. Thirty one publications were identified from a 2013 Cochrane review on the effectiveness of companion of choice at birth. We also reviewed 10 qualitative studies conducted alongside the trials or other interventions on labour and birth companionship identified through electronic searches. The SURE (Supporting the Use of Research Evidence) framework was used to guide the thematic analysis of implementation factors. RESULTS Women and their families expressed appreciation for the continuous presence of a person to provide support during childbirth. Health care providers were concerned about the role of the companion and possible interference with activities in the labour ward. Allocation of resources, organization of care, facility-related constraints and cultural inclinations were identified as implementation barriers. CONCLUSION Prior to introducing companion of choice at birth, understanding providers' attitudes and sensitizing them to the evidence is necessary. The commitment of the management of health care facilities is also required to change policies, including allocation of appropriate physical space that respects women's privacy. Implementation research to develop models for different contexts which could be scaled up would be useful, including documentation of factors that affected implementation and how they were addressed. Future research should also focus on documenting the costs related to implementation, and on measuring the impact of companion of choice at birth on care-seeking behavior for subsequent births.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Kabakian-Khasholian
- Health Promotion and Community Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Anayda Portela
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Tsai SM, Kao JT, Tsai YF. How hepatitis C patients manage the treatment process of pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2016; 16:247. [PMID: 27402141 PMCID: PMC4940691 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1503-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global public health issue. Adequate treatment for hepatitis C patients is important, but anticipated side effects make patients fearful of receiving treatment. Little is known about the experiences of hepatitis C patients who have completed treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of hepatitis C patients who had undergone therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and gain an understanding of what factors contributed to completion of treatment. METHOD This was a qualitative study with 21 adult hepatitis C patients purposively sampled from outpatient liver clinics of a medical university hospital in Taichung City, Taiwan. Participants had completed 6-12 months of therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Data were collected through individual, face-to-face, in-depth interviews conducted in the participants' homes from June-October 2013. Data were analysed using conventional content analysis. RESULTS Data analysis revealed three themes that described the strategies employed to alleviate and ease symptoms and manage the processes involved: restructuring their lifestyle, adopting a positive attitude, and seeking support. CONCLUSION Hepatitis C patients face many challenges during treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. These findings provide knowledge that can be used in designing effective programs to help other Hepatitis C patients manage the side effects of pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy, complete treatment and improve quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Mei Tsai
- />Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, 259, Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Tao-Yuan, 333 Taiwan
| | - Jung-Ta Kao
- />School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University; Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, 2, Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404 Taiwan
| | - Yun-Fang Tsai
- />School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology; Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Keelung, 259, Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Tao-Yuan, 333 Taiwan
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