A scoping review: global health literacy interventions for pregnant women and mothers with young children

Melwani, Satish; Cleland, Verity; Patterson, K; Nash, Rosie

doi:10.1093/heapro/daab047

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…This has implications for policymakers and health systems to ensure that the health needs of women are addressed, and support services are sustained beyond the pregnancy, so women receive extended support to engage in healthy lifestyle practices during pregnancy and beyond. 19 Participants without chronic health conditions demonstrated higher health literacy levels than those with chronic health conditions, with small to medium ES noted. This finding is supported by other research which has shown that people with chronic health conditions are more likely to have more health literacy challenges.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Thus, women may require extended support from health and social services to maintain their health and optimally care for their children. This has implications for policymakers and health systems to ensure that the health needs of women are addressed, and support services are sustained beyond the pregnancy, so women receive extended support to engage in healthy lifestyle practices during pregnancy and beyond 19 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our recent scoping review 19 identified a need to create awareness about the importance of addressing the health literacy of pregnant women and women with young children. The study determined that existing interventions failed to consider and address the health literacy needs of women, therefore, were ineffective in engaging women in healthy lifestyle practices 19 . A systematic review by Nawabi et al 20 found significant heterogeneity in measurement tools used to understand the health literacy status of pregnant women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health literacy status of pregnant women and women with young children in Tasmania

Melwani

Cleland

Patterson

et al. 2022

Health Prom J of Aust

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Issue Addressed The literature provides evidence that maternal health is strongly linked with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their associated risk factors. Enabling women with the asset of health literacy may help to reduce the intergenerational impact of NCDs. However, little is known about the health literacy of pregnant women and women with young children in Tasmania and globally. This study aimed to identify the health literacy status of pregnant women and women with young children (0‐8 years) living in Tasmania and describe their health literacy status according to their demographic characteristics. Methods An online cross‐sectional survey was undertaken. The survey included demographic questions and a health literacy questionnaire (HLQ). The description of demographic differences across the HLQ scales focused on effect sizes (ES) for standardised differences in mean health literacy scores. The differences found to be statistically significant at P < 0.05 were also included. Results 194 participants completed the survey with a mean age of 35.3 years. 73.2% were married, 16.5% were pregnant, 93% had one or more children and 81.5% were university educated. For the first five HLQ scales (score range 1‐4), the lowest overall score was seen for the scale “Actively managing my health” (mean = 2.96; SD = 0.54). For the last four scales (score range 1‐5), the lowest overall score was seen for the scale “Navigating the health care system” (mean = 3.75, SD = 0.67). Nonpregnant women, women with children, women with chronic health conditions and nonmarried women experienced more health literacy challenges. Conclusion Women in our study showed various strengths and challenges with mean scores varying across the nine HLQ scales. Understanding the health literacy needs of women will enable health services to co‐design solutions and interventions capable of responding to the evolving health needs of pregnant women and women with young children. This approach will ensure that codesigned solutions can engage the end‐user in healthy lifestyle practices and the solutions are sustainable. So What? We must shift away from a “one size fits all” approach to tailor services to respond to the differing health literacy needs of pregnant women and women with young children to support healthy lifestyle practices and reduce the NCD burden.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health literacy status of pregnant women and women with young children in Tasmania

Melwani

Cleland

Patterson

et al. 2022

Health Prom J of Aust

Self Cite

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“…Although little is known about how to strengthen HL in the group of pregnant women or new parents, ( Melwani et al, 2022 ; Nawabi et al, 2021 ) previous research indicates how HL can be increased in the general adult population. Systematic reviews of interventions to strengthen HL skills showed an overall benefit of clear health communication strategies, self-management support, empowerment, and supportive and caring environments ( Hersh et al, 2015 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Mothers' Health Literacy: Findings From the KUNO-Kids Study

Pawellek¹,

Köninger²,

Melter³

et al. 2023

HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice

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Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the longitudinal development of health literacy (HL) in a large cohort of new mothers in Germany and to investigate which determinants are associated with the initial HL level and with change over time. Methods: Longitudinal data from 1,363 mothers participating with their child in the KUNO-Kids Health Study was used; data were collected at birth of the child (baseline), after 6 and 12 months, using interviews and self-report questionnaires. The HL of mothers was assessed with the health care scale of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire, which has 16 items on accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying health information in the health care setting. Latent growth curve models were used to analyze average trajectories and predictors of HL in the total sample and in the subgroup of first-time mothers. Key Results: HL values increased from baseline ( M = 35.46, standard deviation [ SD ] = 7.34) over 6 months ( M = 37.31, SD = 7.31) to 12 months ( M = 38.01, SD = 7.41). The increase was statistically significant in the total sample (1.188, standard error [SE] = 0.087, p < .001) and in the subgroup of first-time mothers (1.357, SE = 0.113, p <. 001), with a steeper trajectory for mothers with lower HL at baseline. Several personal and situational variables were associated with HL at baseline (e.g., education, child health) and with its development (e.g., number of children). Conclusion: Overall, new mothers became slightly more health literate during their child's first year of life. However, some groups of mothers could benefit from support in developing HL skills even before childbirth. [ HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice . 2023;7(1):e39–e51. ] Plain Language Summary: We investigated how health literacy (that is the ability to find, understand, and apply health information) develops in new mothers in Germany. Mothers told us that this ability slightly improved during the child's first year of life. Some mothers still have difficulties in dealing with health information; these mothers should be supported even before childbirth.

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“…In regions where formula feeding is predominant, health care providers may assist in initiating the conversation about infant feeding choice early in pregnancy in a non-threatening, non-judgmental manner (Lyons et al, 2021). Prenatal visits provide opportunities to share information to facilitate an informed decision, explore the mother's concerns and beliefs and to link with community-based support programs (Melwani et al, 2021). The convenience associated with formula feeding is a belief that was held by the women in the Canadian qualitative study by Pemo et al (2020).…”

Section: Attitude Towards Exclusive Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of Breastfeeding Practices Among Mothers Attending Maternal and Child Health Clinic at Pumwani Hospital Nairobi

Kibiru*

Onyango

Okoth

2022

Preprint

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Despite growing evidence that supports the importance of exclusive breastfeeding of infants below six months, few mothers adhere to this. Early weaning to infant formula and solids is a common practice. This study aimed to ascertain the determinants of breastfeeding practices among mothers at maternal and child health clinics at Pumwani hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya. The theory of reasoned action guides this study. It was designed as an institutional-based cross-sectional analytical study. A total of 307 mothers and 12 community health workers were sampled to participate in the study. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools were administered to the sampled respondents. Data analysis was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative methods. All data are presented in tables, graphs, and verbatim. Throughout the study period, strict adherence to ethical principles was strictly observed. The study established that 67% of the mothers-initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of delivery. However, only 37% of the mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Demographic factors established to be influencing exclusive breastfeeding included the age of both the mother and the father, levels of education for both the mother and the father, religion, and marital status (p < 0.05). Family size did not influence exclusive breastfeeding practices (p > 0.05). The study also established that up to 83% of the mothers had high levels of knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding practices. However, this knowledge did not translate to practice as there was no significant statistical relationship between knowledge and practice (p > 0.05). The study also established that most mothers (69.2%) had a negative attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. This attitude was found to have a significant statistical association with exclusive breastfeeding practices (p < 0.05). Therefore, recommendations are made to develop county-specific policy amendments to ensure adequate facilitation in the health facilities towards the realization of exclusive breastfeeding requirements. Awareness drives could also be organized in the study area to address negative attitudes and their causes in the study area.

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A scoping review: global health literacy interventions for pregnant women and mothers with young children

Cited by 10 publications

References 56 publications

Health literacy status of pregnant women and women with young children in Tasmania

Health literacy status of pregnant women and women with young children in Tasmania

Development of Mothers' Health Literacy: Findings From the KUNO-Kids Study

Determinants of Breastfeeding Practices Among Mothers Attending Maternal and Child Health Clinic at Pumwani Hospital Nairobi

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