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Background: Severe acute respiratory virus coronavirus-2 disease (COVID-19) vaccination among antenatal mothers plays a vital role in preventing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. We attempted to find out the COVID-19 vaccine uptake rate and to determine the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Methods: Community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted for 6 months amongst antenatal mothers who are residing in the field practice area of primary healthcare (PHC). The participants were selected based on simple random sampling. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in their house using a pre-designed structured questionnaire after obtaining consent. Results: Amongst 246 antenatal mothers, 82.5% were in the 20-29 years of age group. Only 17.9% of the mothers were illiterates, 88.2% of the participants were homemakers. Majority (97%) belonged to the Hindu religion and more than half of them lived in nuclear families. One hundred and fifty (61%) had taken at least one dose of the vaccine. The logistic regression model was statistically significant (P < 0.05) and had explained 14.2% of the variance in acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and correctly classified 67.9% of cases. Fear concerning the safety of the vaccine and its side effects was the most commonly reported reason for not taking the vaccine. Conclusion: Targeted interventions to maximise COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women from ethnic minority communities and those living in deprived areas should be explored.

Background: Prenatal genetic testing is done throughout pregnancy to identify or diagnose birth defects. These tests aim to help families make educated decisions regarding pregnancy and reproduction, as well as aid healthcare providers in providing optimal care for pregnant women. Prenatal blood screening is performed twice during pregnancy. Aim: The present study aims to assess the Effectiveness of video assisted teaching programme on level of knowledge and attitude regarding prenatal genetic testing among antenatal mother. Materials and Methods: A Quasi experimental, one group pre and post experimental research design was used for this study. The study conducted in SMCH. A total of 60 study participants were recruited by using a non probability convenient sample technique, based on inclusion criteria. Results: The analysis revealed that most of the antenatal mothers, 24 (40%) were aged between 21 and 25 years, 33 (55%) had higher secondary education, 34 (56.6%) were private employees, 43 (71.6%) were Hindus, 46 (76.7%) were residing in urban area, 40 (66.6%) had an income of between INR 10,000 and 20,000, and 48 (80%) and 3 (30%) had friends/relatives and health care professionals as source of information. Conclusion: The study found that video education on genetic testing improved patients’ and increased quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Every pregnancy is special and each and every pregnant woman must receive special care. It was estimated, by the WHO that deaths due to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy represented 13% of all maternal deaths. The study was conducted with an aim to assess the effect of music therapy on anxiety among antenatal mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A true experimental research approach with Pretest posttest control group design was adopted for the study. Simple random sampling technique was applied to select 60 participants (30 experimental and 30 controls) but assignment of participants to the respective group was done through odd and even methods. Data was collected by using standardized Speilberger's state trait anxiety inventory and structured observation schedule for demographic data and clinical profile. RESULTS: The present study investigated that in the experiment group, mean anxiety scores in pretest and posttest were 55.23 ± 9.09 and 27.53 ± 4.56 respectively. While in control group, pretest mean anxiety score was 50.73 ± 9.34 and the posttest score was 43.53 ± 8.4. Furthermore, the obtained “t” value was 9.17 with P < 0.00001 which indicated that music therapy was significantly effective in reducing the anxiety scores among pregnant women. In addition, posttest anxiety scores have no significant association with age (P = 0.51), parity (P = 0.82), and period of gestation (P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Music therapy is effective in reducing anxiety of antenatal mothers with PIH. The therapy can be implemented in clinical settings to decline the levels of anxiety among women with PIH.

Introduction: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in reproductive-age women can cause adverse reproductive health outcomes similar to active tobacco smoking such as pregnancy complications, fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery, stillbirths, and infant death. Nearly 56% of the reproductive-age women in the World Health Organization South-East Asian region are exposed to SHS. However, no data is available on exposure to SHS among pregnant mothers, especially in urban slums. Objectives: The objective was to assess the magnitude of exposure to SHS among antenatal mothers in an urban slum and their knowledge regarding hazards of exposure to SHS on them and fetus. Material and Methods: After obtaining ethical clearance, 418 antenatal mothers who visited the antenatal clinic in an urban slum were included. Data regarding exposure to SHS were collected. Their knowledge on hazards of exposure to SHS on both mother and fetus was also collected. Results: Majority were in the age group of 21–25 years (55.5%), studied up to high school (40.7%), and were homemakers (72.1%). Among the 418 antenatal mothers, 277 (66.27%) were exposed to secondhand smoke; 199 (47.61%) at public places, 53 (12.68%) at their homes, and 25 (5.98%) at their workplaces. Only half of the study participants were aware that SHS is injurious to health of the individual, and only 24.4% of the study participants were aware that SHS is also injurious to fetal health. Conclusion: Exposure to SHS among the study participants was high (66.27%), and the awareness regarding the harmful effects of SHS on the health of the mother and fetus among the participants was poor.

Background of the study: The growing fetus depends entirely on its mother′s healthy body for all needs. However, sometimes it can be a time of fear of suffering and death, in case women begin pregnancy with low or absent stores of iron because of previous pregnancy, poor iron intake, substance abuse; increased fetal demands of iron leads to iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of malnutrition in the world and is the eighth leading cause of death in pregnant women in developing countries leading to the low birth weight, which is in turn an important risk factor for infant mortality. Objectives: To determine the knowledge of antenatal mothers regarding management of anemia during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Non-experimental descriptive study was conducted to assess the knowledge of antenatal mothers from Yenepoya Medical College Hospital. A sample size consists of 50 antenatal mothers were selected through non-probability purposive sampling. The data was collected by using pretested structured knowledge questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 and the results expressed as proportions. Results: The majority of the antenatal mothers (54%) had satisfactory knowledge, 38% had poor knowledge, and 8% had good knowledge regarding anemia during pregnancy. Conclusion: The overall knowledge in the study population was 29.9%. Hence, the researcher emphasizes the need for more research to improve the knowledge of antenatal mothers on anemia during pregnancy.

Introduction: Breast milk provides nutritional, immunological, behavioral, and economic benefits and helps to build mother-infant bonding. Antenatal mothers need to be sufficiently aware about the benefits of breastfeeding. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the awareness and perception of breastfeeding among antenatal mothers and to find out any association between sociodemographic factors and breastfeeding awareness. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 antenatal women residing in the urban slums of field-practice area of urban health and training center; using a predesigned, pretested, semi-structured interview schedule. Antenatal checkup followed by one to one counseling for the women regarding breastfeeding was provided. Data were represented by frequencies, proportions, and associations using Chi-square, and the P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Most (55.6%) of the women were in the age group of 18–24 years. The mean age at marriage was 19.2 ± 2.5 years. 81.2% of them were Hindus, 13.2% had adequate, 49.6% had moderately adequate, whereas 37.2% women had inadequate awareness about breastfeeding. About 100% intended to breastfeed their children, but only 64% said that they intended to exclusively breastfeed. 66.4% knew about the importance of colostrum. Age-group, religion, literacy, occupation, type of family, gravida, and number of antenatal visits showed highly significant (P < 0.001) association with awareness of breastfeeding. Conclusion: Nearly one-third of the antenatal mothers lacked awareness on breastfeeding practices. Although all intended to breastfeed, still only 64% knew about exclusive breastfeeding. These gaps need to be addressed by awareness generation activities during antenatal counseling.