Growth changes in infants born of adolescent mothers; results of a national cohort study in Taiwan

Adolescent pregnancy and childbirth are associated with increased risk and challenges for both mothers and birth outcomes. To investigate the associations of growth change over time with parenting factors and to compare the differences between children born to adolescent and adult mothers in Taiwan, The dataset retrieved from Taiwan birth cohort study [TBCS] was collected by interviews using structured questionnaires, birth certificate and Passport of Well-baby Care of each child. Changes in body weight, body height and head circumference from birth to 18 months, as well as other variables were assessed by statistical analysis. There were 4.13% births born to adolescent mothers in 2005. Higher ratios of breastfeeding and working were found among adult mothers [p<0.001]. Significantly higher percentage of adolescent mothers caregave their infants up to 18 months [p<0.001]. Children born to adolescent mothers were associated with statistically significant lower body weight [p<0.001], body height [p<0.001] and head circumference [p<0.001] in spite of velocity and slop of growth patterns were similar over time. Breastfeeding did not significantly affected growth rate during the first 6 months. Generalized estimated equation models showed that gender and preterm birth were predictive factors for birth outcomes [both p<0.001] and correlated to changes over time. Adolescent childbearing was associated with preterm birth and lower body weight, body height and head circumference from birth to 18 months. The changes in growth and development among children born to adolescent mothers remain to be followed and evaluated with the TBCS

Taiwanese medical and nursing student interest levels in and attitudes towards geriatrics

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>To investigate the attitudes of medical and nursing student towards the older Chinese population.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>A reliable and valid Chinese language version of Kogan's Attitudes toward Older People (KAOP) with 17 matched item pairs (34 items) was completed by 275 medical and nursing students. Descriptive data analysis was employed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Participants reported slightly to have a more positive attitudes (Mean, 144.30 +/- 17.89) than those reported from studies in other countries (Jordanian: Mean, 110.6 +/- 21.79). Students who were females (Mean, 148.27 +/- 18.97), younger (Mean, 146.01 +/- 18.59) and studying nursing (Mean, 156.86 +/- 17.56) were more likely to have a more positive attitudes than older (Mean, 140.04 +/- 15.31), males (Mean, 140.47 +/- 15.93), studying medicine (Mean, 138.77 +/- 15.04).</p><p><b>DISCUSSION</b>Results show that students may have greater ambivalence attitudes on 10 out of 17 matched item pairs which provides useful information for faculty involved in aged care curriculum design. Working as a volunteer in the university hospital may increase students' interactions with the elderly and may positively influence attitudes towards the elderly.</p>