1.
Nijsingh, Niels, 1977, et al.
(author)
Ethics of Screening
2017
In: International Encyclopedia of Public Health, 2nd Edition, Volume 3. Stella R.Quah (ed.). - Oxford, U.K. : Academic Press (Elsevier). - 9780128037089 ; , s. 28-35
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)
2.
Christenson, Anne, et al.
(author)
“…or else I close my ears” How women with obesity want to be approached and treated regarding gestational weight management : A qualitative interview study.
2019
In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 14:9, s. 1-17
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Introduction: The importance of helping pregnant women maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent excessive gestational weight gain is well recognized, but pregnant women do not always perceive communication about body weight as respectful or helpful. Furthermore, fear of inducing shame or guilt can prohibit some midwives from talking about body weight, especially if the woman has obesity. We aimed to explore what women of reproductive age with obesity regard to be the most important and relevant aspects when discussing gestational weight management. Methods: Qualitative interview study using focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews with 17 women of reproductive age (19–39 y) with obesity. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: We identified three themes: 1) Importance of obtaining vital medical information; 2) A wish to feel understood and treated with respect; 3) Midwives’ approach is crucial in sensitive key situations, which include bringing up the subject of body weight, weighing, providing weight-related information, coaching lifestyle modification, dealing with emotional reactions and ending a conversation. Conclusions: A majority of the interviewed women wished to receive information about risks about obesity and gestational weight gain, and recommendations on weight management. However, the risk of midwives offending someone by raising the topic may be increased if the pregnant woman believe that gestational weight gain is uncontrollable by the individual. Also, several situations during maternity care meetings can be stigmatizing and make women less receptive to advice or support. Women suggest that a good working alliance is likely to be achieved if midwives have knowledge about the causes of obesity, take interest in the patients’ background, have a non-judgmental approach and refrain from giving unsolicited advice.
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Holmer, Hampus
(author)
Measuring global surgery, obstetrics and anaesthesia from health systems to patients
2019
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic) abstract
BackgroundWorldwide, an estimated 5 billion people lack access to safe, affordable surgical care when needed. This leads to millions of avertable deaths and unnecessary morbidity each year. To change this situation, urgent action is needed at many levels, but indicators and data have been lacking to guide improvement.AimsThe aim of this thesis was to describe and evaluate measurement of surgical public health. Organised according to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery indicator framework, the thesis specifically aimed to: I. quantify global access to emergency obstetric care; II. describe the global distribution of specialist surgeons, anaesthesiologists and obstetricians; III. measure the rate and mortality of Caesarean sections in Sierra Leone, the country with the world’s highest maternal mortality; IV. to propose a new study design for collecting data on surgical outcomes; V. calculate the cost-effectiveness of surgical care, as exemplified by Ponseti club foot repair, and; VI. critically review the global data collection efforts of the six Lancet global surgery indicators.MethodsTo address these aims, a range of methodologies were employed: I. Available reports of national and sub-national data on the met need for emergency obstetric care were collected, reviewed and analysed; II. National data on the number and distribution of the specialist surgical workforce were collected; III. The rate and outcomes of Caesarean sections in Sierra Leone were analysed based on data from facilities and from the national Maternal Death Surveillance and Response system; IV. A protocol for collecting data on perioperative mortality of emergency abdominal surgery was developed; V. Cost effectiveness analysis was carried out for club foot repair; VI. Data on the six indicators proposed by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery in 2015 were collected, and indicators analysed and critically reviewed.ResultsThe global met need for emergency obstetric care was 45% [interquartile range 28–57%], and the met need was significantly correlated with the proportion of births attended by skilled birth attendants. There were an estimated two million specialist surgeons, obstetricians and anaesthesiologists, of which only 20% serve the poorest half of the world. In 2016, the Sierra Leonean Caesarean section rate was 2.9% of all deliveries, with a perioperative mortality rate of 1.5%. A multicentre, international, prospective cohort study protocol for the measurement of perioperative mortality of emergency abdominal surgery was published. Clubfoot repair by the Ponseti method was highly cost-effective at 22 USD per averted Disability Adjusted Life Year. The six indicators proposed by The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery have been implemented to varying degrees, with definitional challenges as well as lack of commitment and structures for data collection.SignificanceMeasuring global surgery, obstetrics and anaesthesia – from health systems to patients explores methods of measuring surgical care in the context of a growing recognition of the need to increase access to safe, affordable surgical care around the globe. This research has provided baseline data on several indicators, some of which have been adopted by the WHO and the World Bank. Furthermore, it has critically reviewed the six indicators proposed for global implementation, and made suggestions for further improvement. Good quality indicators are paramount for guiding further efforts in global surgery, obstetrics and anaesthesia, with potential impact for surgical patients, families and societies today and in the future.
6.
Derakhshan, A., et al.
(author)
Association of urinary bisphenols and triclosan with thyroid function during early pregnancy
2019
In: Environment International. - : Elsevier. - 0160-4120 .- 1873-6750. ; 133
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Background: Bisphenols and triclosan are considered as potential thyroid disruptors. While mild alterations in maternal thyroid function can result in adverse pregnancy and child developmental outcomes, there is still uncertainty whether bisphenols or triclosan can interfere with thyroid function during pregnancy. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association of urinary bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF) and triclosan with early pregnancy thyroid function. Methods: This study was embedded in the Swedish Environmental Longitudinal, Mother and child, Asthma and allergy study (SELMA), a population-based prospective pregnancy cohort. In total, 1996 participants were included in the current study. Maternal urinary concentrations of three bisphenols and triclosan, collected at median (95% range) 10 (6–14) weeks of pregnancy as well as serum concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), total thyroxine (TT4), and total triiodothyronine (TT3) were measured. Results: Higher BPA levels were associated with lower TT4 concentrations (non-monotonic, P = 0.03), a lower FT4/FT3 ratio (β [SE] -0.02 [0.01], P = 0.03) and a lower TT4/TT3 ratio (β [SE] -0.73 [0.27], P = 0.008). Higher BPF levels were associated with a higher FT3 (β [SE] 0.01 [0.007], P = 0.04). There were no associations between other bisphenols or triclosan and absolute TSH, (F)T4 or (F)T3 concentrations. The association of BPA with thyroid function differed with gestational age. The negative association of BPA with FT4/FT3 and TT4/TT3 ratios was only apparent in early but not late gestation (P for interaction: 0.003, 0.008, respectively). Conclusion: These human data during pregnancy substantiate experimental findings suggesting that BPA could potentially affect thyroid function and deiodinase activities in early gestation.
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Bornehag, Carl-Gustaf, 1957-, et al.
(author)
A Novel Approach to Chemical Mixture Risk Assessment—Linking Data from Population-Based Epidemiology and Experimental Animal Tests
2019
In: Risk Analysis. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0272-4332 .- 1539-6924. ; 39:10, s. 2259-2271
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Humans are continuously exposed to chemicals with suspected or proven endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Risk management of EDCs presents a major unmet challenge because the available data for adverse health effects are generated by examining one compound at a time, whereas real-life exposures are to mixtures of chemicals. In this work, we integrate epidemiological and experimental evidence toward a whole mixture strategy for risk assessment. To illustrate, we conduct the following four steps in a case study: (1) identification of single EDCs (“bad actors”)—measured in prenatal blood/urine in the SELMA study—that are associated with a shorter anogenital distance (AGD) in baby boys; (2) definition and construction of a “typical” mixture consisting of the “bad actors” identified in Step 1; (3) experimentally testing this mixture in an in vivo animal model to estimate a dose–response relationship and determine a point of departure (i.e., reference dose [RfD]) associated with an adverse health outcome; and (4) use a statistical measure of “sufficient similarity” to compare the experimental RfD (from Step 3) to the exposure measured in the human population and generate a “similar mixture risk indicator” (SMRI). The objective of this exercise is to generate a proof of concept for the systematic integration of epidemiological and experimental evidence with mixture risk assessment strategies. Using a whole mixture approach, we could find a higher rate of pregnant women under risk (13%) when comparing with the data from more traditional models of additivity (3%), or a compound-by-compound strategy (1.6%).
10.
Theurich, Melissa Ann, et al.
(author)
Breastfeeding Rates and Programs in Europe : A Survey of 11 National Breastfeeding Committees and Representatives
2019
In: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition - JPGN. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0277-2116 .- 1536-4801. ; 68:3, s. 400-407
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
INTRODUCTION: Among the world's regions, the WHO European Region has the lowest rates of exclusive breastfeeding at age 6 months with around 25%. Low rates and early cessation of breastfeeding have important adverse health consequences for women, infants and young children. Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding are a public health priority.OBJECTIVES: National breastfeeding data and monitoring systems among selected European countries and the WHO European Region are compared. Mechanisms for the support, protection and promotion of breastfeeding are reviewed and successes and challenges in implementation of national programs are presented.METHODS: National representatives of national breastfeeding committees and initiatives in eleven European countries, including Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, participated in a standardized survey. Results are evaluated and compared in a narrative review.RESULTS: Variation exists in Europe on breastfeeding rates, methodology for data collection and mechanisms for support, protection and promotion of breastfeeding. Directly after birth, between 56 and 98 % of infants in all countries were reported to receive any human milk, and at 6 months 38-71% and 13-39 % of infants to be breastfed or exclusively breastfed, respectively. National plans addressing breastfeeding promotion, protection and support exist in 6 of the 11 countries.CONCLUSIONS: National governments should commit to evidence-based breastfeeding monitoring and promotion activities, including financial and political support, to improve breastfeeding rates in the Europe. Renewed efforts for collaboration between countries in Europe, including a sustainable platform for information exchange, are needed.
