Knowledge is power: Relationship between professional recommendations, maternal attitudes, and screen time exposure of infants.

PURPOSE: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend infants avoid screen media exposure, yet most infants are regularly exposed. This study aimed to explore screen exposure, maternal attitudes regarding screen media effects, and pediatricians' recommendations to better understand widespread screen media use with infants younger than 18 months of age in hopes of informing mitigation efforts. DESIGN AND METHODS: Surveys consisting of 10 Likert-style questions were distributed real-time to a purposive sample of 193 mothers with infants 18 months of age or younger in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and New York. RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent of infants exceeded AAP/WHO guidelines and 61% of respondents couldn't recall receiving pediatrician recommendations regarding screen exposure for their infant. Mothers with higher levels of education were associated with an accurate reflection of the adverse effects of screen usage on infant development (ANOVA; F = 10.122; df = 3; p < .001). Accurate maternal attitudes regarding adverse effects on infants was associated with less daily screen exposure (Spearman correlation; r = -0.428; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that knowledge about adverse side effects of screen media usage with infants is associated with less daily exposure; and, that pediatricians may not routinely review guidelines for infants with their families, underscoring the importance of other methods of knowledge dissemination. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses, as trusted healthcare providers, can provide counseling on infant screen media usage creating an opportunity for augmented knowledge dissemination across maternal demographics potentially leading to less screen exposure in this vulnerable population.

A Qualitative Exploration of Exercise During Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experience of women engaging in physical activity during pregnancy. DESIGN: This was the qualitative arm of the Starting Pregnancy With Robustness for Optimal Upward Trajectories (SPROUT) pilot project. Thematic analysis was used to realize patterns of meaning and significance from data on participants' experiences in engaging in physical activity during pregnancy. SETTING: One-on-one structured interviews via video conferencing. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen women in the first trimester of their pregnancy were recruited from local obstetric practices and randomized into one of three exercise groups. All three groups of women were followed for their entire pregnancy and for 6 months postpartum. METHODS: Interviews were recorded and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Six major themes important for clinical practice resulted from the analysis: Physical Activity During Pregnancy Is Desirous for Health Benefits, Activity Monitors Provide Motivation, Human Connection HelpsSupportPhysical Activity, More Guidance Is Needed on How to Be Physically Active During Pregnancy, A Supervised Physical Activity Program Is Preferred if Available and Flexible, and Participants Would Choose to Be Physically Active in Subsequent Pregnancies. CONCLUSION: Human interaction, education on physical activity guidelines, and exercise advice increased motivation, accountability, and confidence in the women. Using a tracking device such as an activity watch provided real-world feedback in addition to fostering motivation.