The Childbirth and Breastfeeding Experiences of Primigravidas who Attend Childbirth Education Classes

Knowledge brings with it power; confidence and courage. It is important to prepare for childbirth not only physically; but also emotionally and psychologically. This research tells the story of the childbirth and breastfeeding experiences of the primigravidas who attended childbirth education classes. The objectives of the research were to explore and describe how childbirth education contributed to the birthing and breastfeeding experiences of the primigravidas; and to write guidelines for the childbirth educators to aid them in improving the childbirth education contents. Semi-structured; phenomenological interviews took place with women who met the selection criteria. Permission was obtained from the University of Johannesburg as well as a private hospital in Gauteng and informed consent was obtained from the women volunteering to participate in the research. Recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed using the technique by Tesch (in Creswell; 1994:155-156). The results showed that childbirth education and support reduces fear and helps women to cope better with labour. Lack of all the information leads to unrealistic expectations and may result in negative birthing experiences. Emotional support from the midwife in the hospital is important to the labouring women; therefore; it is important for the childbirth educator to work together with the midwives in the hospital in order to avoid disappointment and unmet expectations. Guidelines were written for childbirth educators; labour ward and maternity staff and midwifery practice

Influence du niveau d'instruction des gestantes sur le prognostic foeto-maternel dans l'association diabete et grossesse

Cette etude porte sur l'association diabete et grossesse au sein d'une population de 30 gestantes diabetiques. Elle met en evidence les faits suivants: le retard dans la prise en charge medico-obstetricale des gestantes d'une maniere generale; le role important du niveau d'instruction dans la observance du traitement dans 60 pour cent des cas et donc sur le pronostic foeto-maternel; le taux de mortalite perinatale tres eleve a 178 pour cent; la necessite de l'elaboration d'un protocole de prise en charge des gestantes diabetiques

A low-cost; community-based measles outbreak investigation with follow-up action

An outbreak of measles in Kampala; Uganda; in 1990 raised concern about the effectiveness of the measles vaccine that was used. The Uganda EPI programme and the medical office of the Kampala City Council therefore conducted a community-based investigation; with door-to-door interviews in two selected communities. They revealed 68 measles cases ranging in age from 5 months to 12 years; the highest age-specific attack rate (32pc) was found in children aged 12 to 23 months. BCG immunization coverage was high (85pc); but measles immunization coverage was moderate (48pc). One community; served by a mobile clinic; presented a vaccine efficacy of only 55pc. Responses by mothers revealed that many had failed to have their children completely immunized because of a lack of information; and not because of difficulties in access to the service. In a follow-up; community leaders initiated monthly checking of immunization cards of both children and mothers. The low vaccine efficacy found in one of the communities resulted in a thorough assessment of the city's cold chain. This community-based approach proved to be cost-effective and practical for identifying the obstacles to effective immunization delivery

Maternal education and child survival in Addis Ababa

Maternal education is found to be positively associated with child survival and its impact was generally more critical in the step from primary to secondary schooling than from the illiterate group. Although once income/wealth is controlled; differences in maternal education resulted in related little variation on child survival. The result also demonstrated that given the level of maternal education its proportionate effect on child survival improved as one ascends from the lowest to the highest income/wealth category. The findings have important implications for policy and further research