Search

The article offers information on the importance of parent-infant attachment and the potential adverse effects of separation in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU). Topics include the impact of separation on short- and long-term cognitive and emotional development, as well as mental health for both parents and infants.

Objective: Use the Life Course Theory (LCT) to explore the effects of involvement with the justice system on the health of Latina women and their children. Design: A supplementary analysis was conducted using data collected from the original study to answer a new research question. Setting: South Central Texas. Participants: A primary qualitative data set from 12 Latina women involved with the justice system. Methods: We applied LCT principles and used thematic content analysis as such we employed categoric distinction: lifespan development, time and place in individuals' lives, the timing of lives, human agency, and linked lives to analyze participants' narratives. Results: Five themes emerged that aligned with LCT principles: (1) It feels like I'm living in my own prison; (2) What do I have to live for now; (3) It is like double punishment; (4) They made my choices; and (5) People didn't really understand. Participants felt helpless with few options to overcome their prior adversities, which affected their ability to make positive future choices. Conclusions: Findings highlight the potential, long‐term, negative health consequences that may result from incarceration. Considering that justice system involvement can lead to more profound maternal and child health disparities, our findings suggest that greater advocacy from the nursing profession would increase accessibility to equitable and respectful maternity and women's health care services. Key points: Involvement with the justice system can result in negative health consequences for women and their children.Maternal and child health disparities are often more profound after involvement with the justice system.Greater advocacy is needed from the nursing profession to ensure access to equitable and respectful maternity and women's health care services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on addressing health disparities in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and emphasizes the importance of implementing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) principles. It highlights the need to recognize and eliminate unconscious bias, racism, and stigma in NICU environments to improve the health outcomes of infants and their families, especially those from historically marginalized groups.

Background: Historically, childbearing women from diverse and systematically hard-to-reach populations have been excluded from nursing research. This practice limits the generalizability of findings. Maximizing research strategies to meet the unique needs of these populations must be a priority. Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide methodological context for the comprehensive application of reproductive justice strategies to guide research methods and promote engagement of underrepresented childbearing women while decreasing systemic bias. Methods: In this article, we use a reproductive justice lens to characterize and define strategies for enhancing ethical and equitable engagement in research involving childbearing women who are often systematically underrepresented using a case study approach. Using a specific case study exemplar, the core tenets of reproductive justice are outlined and affirm the need to advance research strategies that create ethical engagement of diverse populations, transform oppressive social structures, and shift research paradigms so research objectives intentionally highlight the strengths and resiliency inherent to the targeted communities. Results: We begin by describing parallels between the tenets of reproductive justice and the ethical principles of research (i.e., respect for persons, beneficence, and justice). We then apply these tenets to conceptualization, implementation (recruitment, data management, and retention), and dissemination of research conducted with childbearing women from diverse backgrounds who are systemically underrepresented. We highlight our successful research strategies from our case study example of women with histories of incarceration. Discussion: To date, outcomes from our research indicate the need for multilevel strategies with a focus on respectful, inclusive participant and key community partner engagement; the time investment in local communities to promote equitable collaboration; encouragement of the patient's autonomous right to self-determination; and mitigation of power imbalances. Nurse researchers are well positioned to advance research justice at the intersection of reproductive justice and ethics to fully engage diverse populations in advancing health equity to support the best health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women's incarceration has significantly increased in the United States over the past 40 years. Individuals experience numerous social, political, and economic barriers following incarceration; however, little is known about the incarceration experiences of Latina mothers in Texas, who are disproportionately affected. This study aims to examine the experiences of Latina mothers impacted by incarceration, using reproductive justice as a sensitizing lens. We used a qualitative description design and twelve Latina mothers were interviewed. We used semi-structured, individual, interviews to address the research question, "What are the experiences of Latina mothers impacted by incarceration?" We applied the reproductive justice framework to inductively sensitize the experiences with respect to the right to bodily autonomy, right to have or not have children, and right to parent in safe, sustainable environments following arrest. An overarching theme (We're still human) and four major themes (I did whatever they wanted me to do; It's me against the world; Even through the pain you push through; Our voices haven't been heard loud enough) emerged from our analysis of interview data. These themes describe experiences of discrimination, trauma, barriers, resiliency, and desires, following arrest. The findings indicate a need for more research that takes an intersectional approach; policy reform that humanizes those influenced by arrest; bridging initiatives on the individual, relational, community, and societal levels; and making probation and medication-assisted therapy services mother-centered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promotion of mother-baby relationships during the ICU stay requires advocacy, systems thinking, and support of the motherbaby bond for effective implementation of practices. This article will explore the importance of mother-baby bonding in ICUs and developing a conducive environment for the dyad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Between 2007 and 2016, pregnancy‐associated mortality resulting from overdose more than doubled in the United States. This study explored the circumstances surrounding maternal opioid‐related morbidity and mortality, using the life‐course theory as a sensitizing framework to examine how each participant's life‐course contributed to her substance use, relapse, recovery or overdose. Design A mixed‐methods study using semi‐structured, in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews and focus groups were conducted. Setting: Texas, United States. Participants: Women who had relapsed into opioid use or experienced a 'near‐miss' overdose and family members of women who had died during the maternal period due to opioid overdose were interviewed (n = 99). Measurements A socio‐demographic questionnaire captured participants' ethnicity, age, marital status, medical and mental health history and employment status. The Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire—revised (SLESQ‐R) assessed life‐time exposure to trauma. Findings Women reported histories of abuse and loss of a loved one through homicide or suicide. Participants indicated that limited social support, interpersonal conflict with their partner and unaddressed mental illness made recovery more challenging. Additionally, losing their children through the child welfare system was described as punitive and placed them at greater risk for relapse and overdose. Conclusions: A life‐course theory approach to examining maternal opioid‐related morbidity and mortality in Texas, United States reveals the complex needs of women at risk for opioid use relapse and overdose and the significant role of previous traumatic experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of early breastfeeding cessation on incidence of diarrhea in a cohort of U.S. infants. Design, Sample, and Measurements: A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from 2,340 mother–infant dyads participating in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II. We examined associations between duration of feeding type (e.g., exclusive breastfeeding [EBF], any breastfeeding [BF], formula feeding) and incidence of diarrhea before one year. Results: The sample included mother–infant dyads that were 86.2% White, 3% Black, and 5% Hispanic. Interruption of EBF before 3 months was significantly associated with higher odds of having diarrhea at 6 months (OR = 1.80, p value ≤ 0.01) and between 6 and 12 months (OR = 1.45, p ≤.01). Breastfeeding interruption before 6 months was associated with higher odds of having diarrhea at 6 months (OR = 3.19, p ≤.01). Formula feeding for ≥3 months was associated with higher odds of diarrhea between 6 and 12 months. Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding for 3 months accompanied by any breastfeeding for 6 months provided the most protective effect against diarrhea. Public health interventions should address disparities in breastfeeding practices and provide support across clinical, workplace and community settings. Research should include more diverse population groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Gravens Conference to be held in Florida, U.S. in 2024.

Background: Distribution of naloxone and training on its proper use are evidence-based strategies for preventing opioid overdose deaths. In-person naloxone training was conducted in major metropolitan areas and urban centers across Texas as part of a state-wide targeted opioid response program. The training program transitioned to a live, virtual format during the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration. This manuscript describes the impact of this transition through analyses of the characteristics of communities reached using the new virtual training format. Case presentation: Training participant addresses were compared to county rates of opioid overdose deaths and broadband internet access, and census block comparison to health services shortages, rural designation, and race/ethnicity community characteristics. Conclusions: The virtual training format reached more learners than the in-person events. Training reached nearly half of the counties in Texas, including all with recent opioid overdose deaths. Most participants lived in communities with a shortage of health service providers, and training reached rural areas, those with limited broadband internet availability, and majority Hispanic communities. In the context of restrictions on in-person gathering, the training program successfully shifted to a live, online format. This transition increased participation above rates observed pre-pandemic and reached communities with the need for equipping those most likely to witness an opioid overdose with the proper use of naloxone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formalizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles and practices in health sciences libraries should be an organizational goal. Organizations should strive to build and sustain a culture of equity and inclusion in which diversity is integrated into their core operations. Health sciences libraries should design systems, policies, procedures, and practices that align with and support these principles in collaboration with partners and stakeholders that share these values. The authors used DEI terminology to search the websites of various health sciences libraries for DEI-related job posts, committee work, and activities as a source of information on the present level of DEI activity in health sciences libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) rates have dramatically increased. Breastfeeding is a nonpharmacological intervention that may be beneficial, reducing NAS symptom severity and thus the need for and duration of pharmacological treatment and length of hospital stay. Objectives: Conduct meta-analysis to determine whether breastfeeding results in better outcomes for NAS infants. Variables included symptom severity, need for and duration of pharmacological treatment, and length of hospital stay. Methods : PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from 2000 to 2020, and comparative studies examining breastfeeding for NAS infants were extracted. Randomized trials and cohort studies were included. Data were extracted and evaluated with Review Manager Version 5.3. A random-effects model was used to pool discontinuous outcomes using risk ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Continuous outcomes were evaluated by mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Results : Across 11 studies, 6,375 neonates were included in the meta-analysis. Using a random-effects analysis, breastfeeding reduced initiation of pharmacological treatment, reduced duration of pharmacological treatment, and reduced length of stay. No differences were detected for severity of NAS symptoms. Most studies only reported one to two variables of interest. For most studies, these variables were not the primary study outcomes. All studies were found to be of low risk and good quality based on the Cochrane Risk Assessment Tools. Varying breastfeeding definitions limit generalizability. Discussion : Breastfeeding is associated with decreased initiation and duration of pharmacological treatment and length of stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]