What are the mental health issues of postpartum mothers during a pandemic? A scoping review

Background. Postpartum mothers' mental health has a significant role in mothers' well-being and child's growth and develop-ment. This issue is worsened during a pandemic when social restrictions are regulated, resulting in perceived stress, baby blues, postpartum depression, and other mental health issues. Objective. This study intends to investigate postpartum moth-ers' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. This study's methodology is a scoping review using the prism-ScR checklist, the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool, and a population, exposure, outcome framework. It uses 4 databases: Pubmed, Willey, Proquest, and ScienceDirect;its inclusion criteria is original English articles that can be accessed in full text between 2020 and 2022. Results. Out of 190 publications, we found 7 that are pertinent to the research goals. Qualitative research, cross-sectional studies, and longitudinal studies make up the research. The mapping result includes 4 themes: the types of mental health problems experi-enced by postpartum moms during the Pandemic, risk and predic-tive factors, postpartum mothers' experiences, and the effects of mothers' mental health problems. Conclusion. After giving birth, most mothers experience stress, anxiety, and depression. Postpartum mental health concerns are influenced by isolation, social exclusion, and crises. The cre-ation of a customized plan for early assistance for a woman's mental health requirements, as well as the establishment of an accessi-ble mental health provider, including medical personnel and medical facilities, is advised for pregnant and postpartum women. only.Copyright © the Author(s), 2023.

The Effects of Apium graveolens and Eucalyptus globulus in Decreasing Stress and Protecting Folliculogenesis Marker on Woman Reproductive Health during COVID-19 Pandemic

Stress during Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affects the physiological and immunological response to women's reproductive health. Meanwhile, Apium graveolens and Eucalyptus globulus are immunomodulators related to women's reproductive health. This investigation had a goal to examine the effectiveness of A. graveolens and E. globulus towards the expression of Heat Shock Protein-70 (HSP70) as the primary biomarker of stress, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-alpha) as a pro-inflammatory protein, along with Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Growth Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF-9) as folliculogenesis markers. An experimental randomized controlled trial was utilized by using a pre-test and post-test control group design. Sixty women, who had stress based on DASS-21 questionnaire, were divided into two groups in Nusukan Health Center, Indonesia. The intervention group was orally administered with 300 mg A. graveolens capsules and E. globulus essential oil for 14 days, while the control group was given a placebo. Blood samples and stress levels were then evaluated before and after the intervention. No significant difference was found in the stress levels of the control and treatment groups at the pre-test. Meanwhile, the intervention group had the decreased HSP70, TNF-alpha, and stress levels (p<0.001). In contrast, increased LH and GDF-9 levels were displayed in the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.001). These findings revealed that A. graveolens supplementation and E. globulus essential oil have the ability to decrease stress and are able to protect folliculogenesis markers on women's reproductive health due to stressful conditions during pandemic COVID-19. Copyright © 2022 by Indonesian Journal of Pharmacy (IJP).

The Effects of Apium graveolens and Eucalyptus globulus in Decreasing Stress and Protecting Folliculogenesis Marker on Woman Reproductive Health during COVID-19 Pandemic

Stress during COVID-19 pandemic affects the physiological and immunological response to women's reproductive health. Meanwhile, A. graveolens and Eucalyptus globulus are immunomodulators related to women's reproductive health. This investigation had a goal to examine the effectiveness of A. graveolens and E. globulus towards the expression of Heat Shock Protein-70 (HSP70) as the primary biomarker of stress, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-alpha) as a pro-inflammatory protein, along with Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Growth Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF-9) as folliculogenesis markers. An experimental randomized controlled trial was utilized by using a pre-test and post-test control group design. Sixty women, who had stress based on DASS-21 questionnaire, were divided into two groups in Nusukan Health Center, Indonesia. The intervention group was orally administered with 300 mg A. graveolens capsules and E. globulus essential oil for 14 days, while the control group was given a placebo. Blood samples and stress levels were then evaluated before and after the intervention. No significant difference was found in the stress levels of the control and treatment groups at the pre-test. Meanwhile, the intervention group had the decreased HSP70, TNF-alpha, and stress levels (p < 0.001). In contrast, increased LH and GDF-9 levels were displayed in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). These findings revealed that A. graveolens supplementation and E. globulus essential oil have the ability to decrease stress and are able to protect folliculogenesis markers on women's reproductive health due to stressful conditions during pandemic COVID-19.

The Perspective of Community Health Center Workers toward Stunting Prevention Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: Since the COVID-19 outbreak occurred, the stunting prevention program in Indonesia has faced many challenges. Integrated Health Posts as the places where mothers can have their baby's growth measured were closed and restricted. AIM: The purpose of this study is to describe stunting prevention program during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of the Community Health Center workers. METHOD(S): This research used the qualitative research method. Its primary and secondary data were collected through semi-structured open-ended questionnaire and in-depth interviews with 20 Community Health Center workers and officials of the Health Office of Surakarta City. This study was conducted on April 12, 2021 at Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia. The data of the research were manually analyzed to categorize the thematic analysis based on its objectives. Purposive sampling was used determine the participants for its in-depth interviews. They consisted of 20 health care workers. RESULT(S): During the pandemic, the implementation of stunting prevention activities was hampered due to the government's focus on the COVID-19 prevention program, the lack of commitment and participation of social workers, the invalid measurement from social workers, the social restrictions, and the fear of community gathering. The health cadres reported the findings using text messages rather than book measurements to follow the social restriction regulation. Some also did home visits to measure the toddlers' growth. A commitment to tackle stunting and a workflow is therefore in demand so that stunting-related activities are not affected by the pandemic. CONCLUSION(S): Obstacles in the stunting prevention program during the pandemic were felt by cadres, health centers, and mothers of toddlers where they could not do the regular weighing. Thus, coordination and collaboration of various sectors are required to handle the stunting management. Copyright © 2022 Ika Sumiyarsi Sukamto, Hartono Hartono, Retno Setyowati, Sri Mulyani, Dian Nintya, Hanifah Sarah, Hasna Fatin Hanifah, Rufidah Maulina.