Translation, validation, and factor structure of the Nepali version of postpartum bonding questionnaires (PBQ-N) among postpartum women in Nepal.

This study aimed to translate and test the psychometric properties of the Nepali version of the PBQ (PBQ-N) among postpartum mothers in Kathmandu, Nepal. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with postpartum mothers (n = 128) of an infant aged one to six months visiting immunization clinics at two selected hospitals in Kathmandu, Nepal. The PBQ scale was translated into Nepali language and backtranslated to English with the help of language and content experts. The PBQ-N was then assessed for factor structure, validity, and reliability. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to examine construct validity of the PBQ-N in which 16 items (α = .75) of the original 25 items grouped into three subscales and were found suitable to measure mother-infant bonding among Nepalese women. Regarding convergent validity, a statistically significant, positive correlation was found between the PBQ-N and postpartum depression (r = .627, p < .001). In addition, a statistically significant, negative association was found between parenting self-efficacy and the PBQ-N (r = -.496, p < .001). The three subscales demonstrated good internal consistency. Findings indicate adequate estimates of validity and reliability for the PBQ-N in which 16-item measures were considered adequate for screening mother-infant bonding among Nepalese women and are useful for clinical and research purposes. Considering the crucial role of maternal-infant bonding relationships, the use of validated measures is recommended to screen high-risk infants in clinical settings.

Awareness regarding Menstrual Hygiene among Girl Students of a School in Chitwan.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent girls often lack knowledge regarding reproductive health including menstruation which can be due to socio-cultural barriers in which they grow up. It is important to educate adolescents about issues related to menstruation so that they can safeguard themselves and hold implications for professionals involved in improvement of reproductive health. The main objective of the study was to find out awareness regarding menstrual hygiene among girl students of a school in Chitwan. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a school in Chitwan among girl students of school from grade 8, 9 and 10 from 2019 July to August 2019 after ethical approval. All the girl students from grade 8, 9 and 10 were included into the study. Data were entered and calculations were using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. RESULTS: Among 184 adolescent girls, 156 (84.8%) were aware about the menstrual hygiene and most of them 176 (95.7%) knew about the criteria of ideal absorbent to be used during menstruation. Likewise, 120 (65.2%) were aware regarding washing the genital organs, 137 (74.5%) were changing sanitary pad and 136 (73.9%) were disposing used sanitary pad. The mean age of girl students was 14.48±1.259 years respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness regarding menstrual hygiene was present among the girl students, but practice for proper menustral hygiene was low compared to studies done in similar settings.

Knowledge and practice of postnatal mother in newborn care.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal mortality has continued to increase as a percentage (>60%) of overall infant mortality. Any further reduction in infant mortality is dependent on saving more newborn lives. It is possible if their mothers are knowledgeable and provide proper newborn care. Therefore, the objective of the study was to find out knowledge and practice of the postnatal mothers about newborn care. METHODS: A descriptive study was done among 100 purposively selected post natal mothers admitted in Teaching Hospital. Newborn care practice was observed among 20 mothers and comparison was done between knowledge and practice. Semi-structured interview questionnaire and observation checklist was used to collect the data. The descriptive statistics was used. RESULTS: Respondents' mean knowledge was on keeping newborn warm 44.2, on newborn care 47.2, on immunization 67.33, on danger signs 35.63. All (100%) respondents had have knowledge and practice to feed colostrums and exclusive breast feeding, 70 (70%) knew about early initiation of breastfeeding. Mean knowledge and practice of respondents was on measures to keep warm 8.5 and 17. Although 60 (60%) had knowledge to wash hands before breastfeeding, and after diaper care, only 10 (10%) followed it in practice. Mean practice of successful breast feeding was 37.5, 12 (60%) applied nothing kept cord dry. CONCLUSION: Postnatal mothers have adequate knowledge on areas like early, exclusive breast feeding, colostrums feeding, they have not much satisfactory knowledge in areas like hand washing, danger signs etc. While comparing knowledge with practice regarding newborn care, practice looks better in many areas.

Effects of educational intervention among reproductive age group women on safe abortion.

INTRODUCTION: Many reproductive aged women needlessly die due to unsafe abortion even when they seek help to terminate their unwanted pregnancy. These deaths could have been prevented had they been aware that safe abortion service was available to them. The study aimed at finding out the effectiveness of the education intervention in improving knowledge among reproductive age group women regarding the safe abortion. METHODS: An experimental intervention was carried out on safe abortion education among the reproductive age group women. The impact of pre- and post- intervention was evaluated by using a set of structured questionnaire in local language. The obtained data was analyzed by using the Excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 12.0 for windows and result was interpreted. RESULTS: The post intervention finding revealed a significantly higher (p=0.001) mean on knowledge among participants about safe abortion compared to pre-observational test. The mean difference between the pre-test and post-test was 64.1% (Pre-test 11.18±12.88 Post-test 75.28±9.56). The research hypothesis was accepted with p value paired t-test at <0.001 (0.05). The result supports that the educational intervention was effective in increasing safe abortion awareness among reproductive aged group women. CONCLUSION: The safe abortion educational intervention program was instrumental to improve reproductive age women's knowledge considerably about safe abortion service.