Christina Murphey

Acculturation, depressive symptoms, estriol, progesterone, and preterm birth in Hispanic women

We examined the effects of acculturation, depressive symptoms, progesterone, and estriol (E3) as predictors of preterm birth (PTB) in pregnant Hispanic women. This cross-sectional study recruited a sample of 470 Hispanic women between 22- and 24-week gestation from physician practices and community clinics. We used the CES-D to measure maternal depressive symptoms. We measured acculturation by English proficiency on the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale, residence index by years in the USA minus age, nativity, and generational status. Serum progesterone and E3 were analyzed by EIA. Ultrasound and medical records determined gestational age after delivery. In χ2 analysis, there were a significantly greater percentage of women with higher depressive scores if they were born in the USA. In a structural equation model (SEM), acculturation (English proficiency, residence index, and generational status) predicted the estriol/progesterone ratio (E/P), and the interaction of depressive symptoms with the E/P ratio predicted PTB. Undiagnosed depressive symptoms during pregnancy may have biological consequences increasing the risk for PTB.

Exploring Relationships Among Psychosocial Status, Dietary Quality, and Measures of Placental Development During the First Trimester in Low-Income Women

Purpose: To examine the relationships between maternal psychosocial factors and dietary quality and explore the relationships among dietary quality and selected biomarkers of nutrition and placental development. Method: A cross-sectional design in 18 low-income, pregnant women. Results: Partner support was positively related to vegetable intake (r = .54) and negatively related to intake of iron (r = -.68) and grains (r = -.67). Emotional eating in response to anger was negatively related to intake of iron-(r /it> = -.53) and folate-rich (r = -.75) foods, and emotional eating in response to anxiety was negatively related to intake of folate-rich foods (r = -.51). Depressed women had an increased intake of calcium-rich foods (r = .60). Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were negatively related to depression (r = -.56) and intake of foods high in calcium (r = -.53) and iron (r = -.34) but positively related to serum calcium levels (r = .60). VEGF was negatively relationship to soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1; r = -.56). Placental growth factor had a negative relationship with maternal serum levels of albumin (r = -.61) and calcium (r = -.65). Conclusions: Low-income pregnant women who eat to cope with anger and anxiety may have an inadequate intake of nutrients that contribute to positive pregnancy outcomes. Placental development in the early weeks of pregnancy may be influenced by maternal psychosocial and nutritional status. More research is needed to explore the relationship of dietary quality and placental development in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Oral health experiences of pregnant and parenting adolescent women: A qualitative descriptive study

BACKGROUND Oral health may plan an important role in the general health of adolescents who are pregnant and parenting. However, little is known about the socio-behavioral and environmental experiences that may affect the adolescent womans oral health and quality of life. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to explore oral health experiences among adolescent women who were pregnant and parenting. DESIGN This was a qualitative descriptive study. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-four adolescent women who were pregnant and parenting, 14-18 years of age, who read and spoke English and were enrolled in an alternative school-based program. METHODS Manifest and latent content analysis were conducted by hand with data from face-to-face interviews, observations, field notes, and reflective journaling. Member checks confirmed credibility of the qualitative findings. RESULTS Four themes emerged from the oral health data: perceptions, knowledge and practices, myths and misconceptions, and values. CONCLUSION Nurses may play a key role in improving the oral health status of adolescents who are pregnant and parenting. Oral health should be a routine part of every general health assessment.

Nutrition and mental health in early pregnancy: a pilot study.

A pilot study was conducted to explore the dietary quality and maternal psychosocial status during the early weeks of pregnancy in a convenience sample of women (N = 13) recruited from two Planned Parenthood Clinics. Women were between 19 and 31 years of age, having their first pregnancy, and were on average 7 weeks pregnant. Average caloric intake was 2653 kcal/day consisting of 34% fat. Six of the women had inadequate intake of calcium (x = 800 mg) and 11 had low iron intake (x = 20 mg). Dietary Quality Index-Pregnancy scores were below recommendations and six women had scores indicating a major depression. Dietary intakes of these low-income women early in pregnancy did not meet recommendations for pregnancy. Identifying factors that are related to poor dietary intake, such as low-income and the presence of depression, in early pregnancy may promote timely recognition of women in need of comprehensive monitoring throughout the pregnancy.

Three intervention models for exploring oral health in pregnant minority adolescents.

PURPOSE Maintaining oral health is important for pregnant minority adolescents and their offsprings present and future well-being. The purpose of this article is to identify the scope of oral health problems and describe three models to guide pediatric nursing research and interventions related to oral health in pregnant minority adolescents. CONCLUSIONS Identifying and understanding the risks of poor oral health in pregnant minority adolescents will assist those who plan and provide care for this vulnerable population. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Utilizing more than one model or a combination of models may be necessary for improving oral health outcomes in this population.

Childhood Maltreatment Among Community Dwelling Adult Latinas

There is a lack of research about childhood maltreatment among adult Latinas in the United States. The aim of this secondary analysis was to explore the occurrence and co-occurrence of maltreatment during childhood in a community-dwelling sample of adult Latinas. Participants were 62 women ages 18–45 who read and spoke English, attended work or school on a regular basis, and had no health or functional interferences with daily living. On average, participants were 29 years of age (M = 29.08, SD = 9.30), high school graduates (n = 36, 58.1%), married (n = 36, 58.1%), and employed (n = 27, 43.5%). Over three quarters of participants (n = 49, 79.0%) reported at least one form of childhood maltreatment: emotional abuse (n = 24, 38.7%), physical abuse (n = 29, 46.8%), sexual abuse (n = 29, 46.8%), emotional neglect (n = 27, 43.5%), and physical neglect (n = 23, 37.1%). Maltreatment severity increased with the number of maltreatment forms. Women sexually abused during childhood were more likely than women without this history to be employed and high school graduates. These Latinas may have developed more adaptive coping mechanisms than other Latinas.

Dental Health, Acidogenic Meal, and Snack Patterns Among Low‐Income Women During Early Pregnancy: A Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION The objectives of this study were to collect preliminary data related to self-reported dental problems, dental health-related nutrient intake, and acidogenic meal and snack composition intake during early pregnancy in low-income women and to assess the feasibility of current research methods for use in a larger study. METHODS Low-income women (n = 13) in the first trimester of pregnancy participated in this study. Pregnant women completed a demographic questionnaire, participated in three 24-hour dietary recalls, and answered several questions related to their oral health status and frequency of dental visits. RESULTS Preliminary data suggest that women in this study were susceptible to dental problems and consumed acidogenic meals and snacks. Protocol data suggest that it is feasible to implement current research protocols, with adaptations, for use in a larger study. DISCUSSION Health care professionals should assess low-income pregnant women in early pregnancy for dental problems and acidogenic meal and snack patterns and provide referrals to appropriate health professionals and community health services.