Browsing by Author "Premji, Shahirose S"

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    Breastfeeding the late preterm infant: experiences of mothers and perceptions of public health nurses
    (2017-05-08) Dosani, Aliyah; Hemraj, Jena; Premji, Shahirose S; Currie, Genevieve; Reilly, Sandra M; Lodha, Abhay K; Young, Marilyn; Hall, Marc
    Abstract Background The promotion and maintenance of breastfeeding with late preterm infants (LPIs) remain under examined topics of study. This dearth of research knowledge, especially for this population at-risk for various health complications, requires scientific investigation. In this study, we explore the experiences of mothers and the perceptions of public health nurses (PHNs) about breastfeeding late preterm infants in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Methods We used an exploratory mixed methods design with a convenience sample of 122 mothers to gather quantitative data about breastfeeding. We collected qualitative data by means of individual face-to-face interviews with 11 mothers and 10 public health nurses. Data were collected from April 2013 to June 2014. We then employed an interpretive thematic analysis to identify central themes and relationships across narratives. Results We collected 74 complete data sets about breastfeeding. During the first 6–8 weeks postpartum, 61 mothers breastfed their infants. Of these, 51 partially breastfed and 10 exclusively breastfed. For qualitative purposes, the researchers interviewed 11 mothers with late preterm babies and three themes emerged: significant difficulty with breastfeeding, failing to recognize the infant’s feeding distress and disorganized behavior, and the parental stress caused by the multiple feeding issues. The public health nurses’ comments reinforced and expanded on what the mothers reported. The themes for the nurses included: challenges with initiating breastfeeding, challenges during breastfeeding, and the need for stimulation during breastfeeding. Conclusion Mothers face challenges when breastfeeding their late preterm infants and public health nurses can guide them through this experience. Families with a late preterm infant need to be informed about the challenges associated with breastfeeding a late preterm infant. It is necessary for all health care professionals to receive proper training on safe and effective breastfeeding of late preterm infants. It is essential for public health nurses to communicate effectively with families of late preterm infants to provide anticipatory guidance about potential challenges and strategies to resolve any breastfeeding problems.
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    Caring for late preterm infants: public health nurses’ experiences
    (2018-04-18) Currie, Genevieve; Dosani, Aliyah; Premji, Shahirose S; Reilly, Sandra M; Lodha, Abhay K; Young, Marilyn
    Abstract Background Public health nurses (PHNs) care for and support late preterm infants (LPIs) and their families when they go home from the hospital. PHNs require evidence-informed guidelines to ensure appropriate and consistent care. The objective of this research study is to capture the lived experience of PHNs caring for LPIs in the community as a first step to improving the quality of care for LPIs and support for their parents. Methods To meet our objectives we chose a descriptive phenomenology approach as a method of inquiry. We conducted semi-structured interviews with PHNs (n = 10) to understand PHN perceptions of caring for LPIs and challenges in meeting the needs of families within the community. Interpretative thematic analysis revealed PHN perceptions of caring for LPIs and challenges in meeting the needs of families within the community. Results Four themes emerged from the data. First, PHNs expressed challenges with meeting the physiological needs of LPIs and gave voice to the resulting strain this causes for parents. Second, nurses conveyed that parents require more anticipatory guidance about the special demands associated with feeding LPIs. Third, PHNs relayed that parents sometimes receive inconsistent advice from different providers. Lastly, PHNs acknowledged that due to lack of resources, families sometimes did not receive the full scope of evidence informed care required by fragile, immature infants. Conclusion The care of LPIs by PHNs would benefit from more research about the needs of these infants and their families. Efforts to improve quality of care should focus on: evidence-informed guidelines, consistent care pathways, coordination of follow up care and financial resources, to provide physical, emotional, informational support that families require once they leave the hospital. More research on meeting the challenges of caring for LPIs and their families would provide direction for the competencies PHNs require to improve the quality of care in the community.
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    What stakeholders think: perceptions of perinatal depression and screening in China’s primary care system
    (2021-01-06) Premji, Shahirose S; Dobson, Keith S; Prashad, Anupa; Yamamoto, Shelby; Tao, Fangbiao; Zhu, Beibei; Wu, Xiaoyan; Lu, Mengjuan; Shao, Shanshan
    Abstract Background Mental health in China is a significant issue, and perinatal depression has been recognized as a concern, as it may affect pregnancy outcomes. There are growing calls to address China’s mental health system capacity issues, especially among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women due to gaps in healthcare services and inadequate access to resources and support. In response to these demands, a perinatal depression screening and management (PDSM) program was proposed. This exploratory case study identified strategies for successful implementation of the proposed PDSM intervention, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) framework, in Ma’anshan city, Anhui province. Methods This qualitative study included four focus group discussions and two in-depth individual interviews with participants using a semi-structured interview guide. Topics examined included acceptance, utility, and readiness for a PDSM program. Participants included perinatal women and their families, policymakers, and healthcare providers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed for emergent themes. Results The analysis revealed several promising factors for the implementation of the PDSM program including: utilization of an internet-based platform, generation of perceived value among health leadership and decision-makers, and the simplification of the screening and intervention components. Acceptance of the pre-implementation plan was dependent on issues such as the timing and frequency of screening, ensuring high standards of quality of care, and consideration of cultural values in the intervention design. Potential challenges included perceived barriers to the implementation plan among stakeholders, a lack of trained human health resources, and poor integration between maternal and mental health services. In addition, participants expressed concern that perinatal women might not value the PDSM program due to stigma and limited understanding of maternal mental health issues. Conclusion Our analysis suggests several factors to support the successful implementation of a perinatal depression screening program, guidelines for successful uptake, and the potential use of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy. PDSM is a complex process; however, it can be successfully navigated with evidence-informed approaches to the issues presented to ensure that the PDSM is feasible, effective, successful, and sustainable, and that it also improves maternal health and wellbeing, and that of their families.