Correction: A Prospective Cohort Study of Antipsychotic Medications in Pregnancy: The First 147 Pregnancies and 100 One Year Old Babies.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094788.].

An exploration of New Zealand mental health nurses' personal physical activities.

This study assessed the physical activities of Mental Health Nurses (MHN) in New Zealand against the 2018 World Health Organization recommended minimum levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The research design was exploratory and descriptive as there were no previous studies about physical activity levels of MHNs in New Zealand. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, Long Version) which included options for free-text responses. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 266 participants returned the survey, a response rate of 4%, and a limitation of the study. More than 50% of MHNs reported <150 min of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week for each of the four physical activity domains. When individual physical activity domains were combined, only 10% spent <150 min on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Work-related physical activities were higher for those working in the inpatient area than in community settings. Transport-related physical activities were higher for those working in community settings. Participants registered from 6 to 20 years had more time sitting than other groups. Nurses aged 55 years and above showed the highest total physical activity levels. Moreover, healthcare organizations and nurse leaders need to promote physical activity and provide wellness intervention for their staff. Nurses who are physically active may be more effective in supporting their patients to increase their physical activity.

Identification of authentic assessment in nursing curricula: An integrative review.

This article aims to identify the application of authentic learning principles to the assessment of nursing students. An integrative review was undertaken using the Whittlemore and Knafl (2005) framework: identifying the problem/purpose, searching and evaluating the literature, data analysis and presentation or results. Primary searches were conducted using MeSH terms identified as key words across four search data bases (PubMed, Cinahl, Scopus and ProQuest). Literature was identified using inclusion/exclusion criteria and critiqued. Three major themes emerged from the literature review: Clinical Practice, Self-Assessment and Simulation. Models of authentic learning exist that could guide the development of authentic learning assessment for students, however no identifiable tool for locating and mapping authentic assessment in nursing was found. This review challenges the contemporary belief that authentic assessment is to be found in nursing curricula and evidenced by clinical practice.

Therapeutic optimism and attitudes among medical and surgical nurses towards attempted suicide.

Identification of the attitudes to consumers admitted to hospital following a suicide attempt and the therapeutic optimism of nurses caring for this cohort is vital to ascertain the level of nursing care provided. A convenience sample of 72 Registered and enrolled nurses from a large metropolitan health service in South Eastern Melbourne, Australia, completed a demographic questionnaire, the Elsom Therapeutic Optimism Scale (ETOS), and the Attitudes to Attempted Suicide-Questionnaire (ATAS-Q). Data were analysed using SPSS (version 25). Whilst the ETOS & ATAS-Q correlate positively, themes of shame, blame, misunderstandings, and myths about suicide influence nurses' perspectives when providing suicide attempt aftercare. This may potentially lead to care that is tokenistic and task focused. To develop their professional skill set when providing suicide attempt aftercare, nurses need both formal and informal education and opportunities to reflect on their practice.

The interaction of pregnancy, substance use and mental illness on birthing outcomes in Australia.

BACKGROUND: this study aimed to (1) assess the prevalence, and demographic features of women with a history of mental illness during pregnancy and childbirth, (2) investigate maternal and perinatal outcomes in relation to mental illness and substance use, and (3) determine the effects of maternal characteristics, history of mental illness and substance use on birth outcomes. METHODS: the records of 22,193 pregnant women who gave birth at one tertiary level health service comprising three maternity settings in Victoria, Australia from 2009 to 2011 were reviewed.Univariate comparisons for socio-demographic and birthing outcome variables by substance use and mental illness category were performed. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed to examine the effects of maternal characteristics on birth outcomes. RESULTS: mental illness was recorded for 1.08/1,000 delivery hospitalisations.Mothers with a history of mental illness had a significantly higher proportion of babies born with low birth weight (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.64 -2.09) and low Apgar 1 scores<7 (OR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.26 - 1.70).Differences in health behaviours were also noted between the two groups.Babies born to women with an illicit and poly substance use history reported an average birth weight at 2,951 (SD 777) grams compared to birth weight of approximately 3,300 g of smoking and alcohol user groups, as well as shorter gestational age and lower birth weight. There was a statistically significant interaction between the effects of mental illness and substance use on birth weight. This interaction effect was not significant for gestational age. Logistic regression showed the strongest predictor of reporting a premature birth and low birth weight was using substances, recording an odds ratio of 1.95 (95% CI 1.50-2.53) and 2.73 (95% CI 2.15-3.47) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: mental health history should be highlighted as being a common morbidity and the increased risk of poorer birth outcomes especially when the women were also using substances, alcohol or tobacco should be acknowledged by the health practitioners.

Experiences of African Students in Predominantly White Institutions: A Literature Overview.

The objective of this paper is to examine research conducted on the experiences of African health sciences students in predominantly white higher education institutions/environments. The main elements of cross-cultural adaptation models were adopted to discuss the amalgamated themes under the auspices of adjustment, integration, and conditioning. The overview revealed that African students encounter unique experiences, with isolation and "feeling different" being commonly mentioned. Recommendations for future research are presented, including programmatic implications for higher education and student affairs professionals.

A Journey of Discovery: Experiences of Carers of People with Mental Illness Seeking Diagnosis and Treatment for Their Relative.

This study explores the experiences of informal carers of people with mental illness in an Australian mental health service. A qualitative descriptive approach was used with data collected via focus group interviews with a purposive sample of 19 carers. Data analysis revealed two major themes: (a) "Something is not right" and (b) "Now we have a diagnosis." The carers noticed that there was something wrong with their relative before they received a diagnosis but were often hesitant to engage Mental Health services. Carers have trouble understanding if the problems they are witnessing are part of normal development, contemporary culture, or are symptoms of mental illness. Fear of stigma remains a barrier to accessing services and early diagnosis. Findings suggest a need to target support for informal carers in the period prior to and leading to the establishment of a mental health diagnosis.

Attitudes of midwives and maternal child health nurses towards suicide: A cross-sectional study.

Perinatal women are at risk of depression and/or suicidality. Suicide is the highest cause of indirect maternal deaths in the perinatal period. Midwives and maternal child health nurses (MCHN), as key clinicians, need to be able to detect these mental health issues. Little is known about these clinicians' attitudes to suicide. In this paper, we report on the results of a cross-sectional study of midwives' and MCHN attitudes to suicide. A convenience sample of midwives (n = 95) and MCHN (n = 86) from south-eastern Victoria, Australia, was recruited into the study. Participants completed the Attitudes to Suicide Prevention Scale. The results showed that MCHN have more positive attitudes towards suicide prevention than midwives, and younger participants have more positive attitudes to suicide prevention compared to older participants. Midwives and MCHN could benefit from continuing professional education to build their knowledge and skills in assessing suicide risk for childbearing women and their families, increasing positive attitudes, improving detection, and mental health referrals.

Experiences of undergraduate African health sciences students: A hermeneutic inquiry.

While efforts have been made to understand the experiences of African students in predominantly white environments, the experiences of African students in clinical placement areas have rarely been explored. This paper is a report on a study designed to address the gap in educational research on the experiences of African health sciences students in clinical placements in predominantly white environments. Interviews adopting an open approach to conversations were conducted with nine African students from three health disciplines at one metropolitan university in Australia between 2012 and 2013. Interview transcripts were analyzed using philosophical hermeneutics, where shared meanings were arrived at by employing key Gadamerian hermeneutic components. Findings revealed a number of factors that had a direct effect on the meaning students derived from their clinical placement experiences. These, as revealed in the interlinked domains of body, space, relationships, and time included difference, acceptance, resilience, and cultural sensitivity. Insights from this study may lead to the adoption of strategies designed to improve the experiences of African students studying health sciences in predominantly white environments.

A prospective cohort study of antipsychotic medications in pregnancy: the first 147 pregnancies and 100 one year old babies.

BACKGROUND: Many women diagnosed with varying psychiatric disorders take antipsychotic medications during pregnancy. The safety of antipsychotic medications in pregnancy is largely unknown. METHODS: We established the National Register of Antipsychotic Medications in Pregnancy in 2005. Women who are pregnant and taking an antipsychotic medication are interviewed every 6 weeks during pregnancy and then followed until their babies are one year old. The baby's progress is closely followed for the first year of life. FINDINGS: As of April 18 2012, 147 pregnancies had been followed through to completion. There were 142 live births and data is available for 100 one year old babies. 18% of babies were born preterm, with a higher dose of antipsychotic medication correlating to an increased likelihood of premature delivery; 43% of babies required special care nursery or intensive care after birth; 37% had any degree of respiratory distress and 15% of babies developed withdrawal symptoms. Congenital anomalies were seen in eight babies. Most pregnancies resulted in the birth of live, healthy babies. The use of mood stabilisers or higher doses of antipsychotics during pregnancy increased the likelihood of babies experiencing respiratory distress or admission to Special Care Nursery or Neonatal Intensive Care Units. CONCLUSION: There is a great need for safety and efficacy information about the use of antipsychotic medications in pregnancy. Live, healthy babies are the most common outcome following the use of antipsychotic medication in pregnancy, but clinicians should be particularly mindful of neonatal problems such as respiratory distress.