A scoring system for appraising mixed methods research, and concomitantly appraising qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods primary studies in Mixed Studies Reviews.

Objectives: This paper examines the prevalence of tobacco use among sexual minorities in the US through a systematic review of literature from 1987 to May 2007.

Methods: Seven databases were searched for peer-reviewed research (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library via Wiley InterScience, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Health Source: Nursing/Academic, Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science, PsycINFO via EBSCO Host and PubMed). No language restrictions were used. Abstracts were identified in the literature search (n = 734) and were independently read and coded for inclusion or exclusion by two reviewers. When agreement was not reached, a third reviewer acted as arbitrator. Abstracts were included if they presented data collected in the US from 1987 to May 2007 and reported prevalence or correlation of tobacco use with sexual minority status. Studies reporting data from HIV-positive samples were excluded. The identified articles (n = 46) were independently read by two reviewers who recorded key outcome measures, including prevalence and/or odds ratios of tobacco use, sample size and domain of sexuality (identity, behaviour, or desire). Factors relating to study design and methodology were used to assess study quality according to nine criteria.

Results: In the 42 included studies, 119 measures of tobacco prevalence or association were reported. The available evidence points to disparities in smoking among sexual minorities that are significantly higher than among the general population.

Conclusions: Ongoing, targeted interventions addressing smoking among sexual minorities are warranted in tobacco control programs.

https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/tobaccocontrol/18/4/275.full.pdf

Tobacco use among sexual minorities in the USA, 1987 to May 2007: a systematic review

This title provides a comprehensive overview of the research on same-sex parenthood, exploring ways in which lesbian and gay parents resist, accommodate, and transform fundamental notions of gender, parenting, and family. It integrates both qualitative and quantitative research. It highlights understudied aspects of same-sex parenting, such as termination of couple relationships. It offers practical recommendations in every chapter.

Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children: Research on the Family Life Cycle

Women's experiences of labour and birth: an evolutionary concept analysis

Early involvement of fathers with their children has increased in recent times and this is associated with improved cognitive and socio-emotional development of children. Research in the area of father’s engagement with pregnancy and childbirth has mainly focused on white middle-class men and has been mostly qualitative in design. Thus, the aim of this study was to understand who was engaged during pregnancy and childbirth, in what way, and how paternal engagement may influence a woman’s uptake of services, her perceptions of care, and maternal outcomes. This study involved secondary analysis of data on 4616 women collected in a 2010 national maternity survey of England asking about their experiences of maternity care, health and well-being up to three months after childbirth, and their partners’ engagement in pregnancy, labour and postnatally. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, binary logistic regression and generalised linear modelling. Over 80% of fathers were ‘pleased or ‘overjoyed’ in response to their partner’s pregnancy, over half were present for the pregnancy test, for one or more antenatal checks, and almost all were present for ultrasound examinations and for labour. Three-quarters of fathers took paternity leave and, during the postnatal period, most fathers helped with infant care. Paternal engagement was highest in partners of primiparous white women, those living in less deprived areas, and in those whose pregnancy was planned. Greater paternal engagement was positively associated with first contact with health professionals before 12 weeks gestation, having a dating scan, number of antenatal checks, offer and attendance at antenatal classes, and breastfeeding. Paternity leave was also strongly associated with maternal well-being at three months postpartum. This study demonstrates the considerable sociodemographic variation in partner support and engagement. It is important that health professionals recognise that women in some sociodemographic groups may be less supported by their partner and more reliant on staff and that this may have implications for how women access care.

/pdf/fathers-engagement-in-pregnancy-and-childbirth-evidence-from-30fmbyj37a.pdf

Fathers' engagement in pregnancy and childbirth: evidence from a national survey.

Objective To determine the current knowledge of postpartum womens' sleep patterns, sleep disturbances, consequences of sleep disturbances, and known strategies for prevention in order to provide best practice recommendations for health care providers. Data Sources A literature search from 1969 through February 2008 was conducted using the CINHL, Index of Allied Health Literature, Ovid, PsycINFO, and PubMed electronic databases in addition to reference lists from selected articles and other key references. Search terms included sleep, postpartum, sleep deprivation, and sleep disturbance. Study Selection A critical review of all relevant articles from the data sources was conducted with attention to the needs of postpartum womens' sleep and implications for health care providers. Data Extraction Literature was reviewed and organized into groups with similar characteristics. Data Synthesis An integrative review of the literature summarized the current state of research related to sleep alterations in postpartum women. Conclusions Postpartum women experience altered sleep patterns that may lead to sleep disturbances. The most common reasons for sleep disturbances are related to newborn sleep and feeding patterns. Although present, the relationships among sleep disturbance, fatigue, and depression in postpartum women lack clarity due to their ambiguous definitions and the variety of the studies conducted. Providers should encourage prenatal education that assists the couple in developing strategies for decreasing postpartum sleep deprivation. Alterations of in-hospital care and home care should be incorporated to improve the new family's sleep patterns.

https://www.jognn.org/article/S0884-2175(15)30156-8/pdf

A Selective Review of Maternal Sleep Characteristics in the Postpartum Period

Background Postpartum sleep is a difficult and complicated concept to measure owing to the intrusive nature of research at a sensitive and private time for new families. Nurses often find themselves advising mothers on ways to improve sleep and reduce fatigue based on teachings that are not evidence based. The purpose of this secondary analysis of a larger study of postpartum fatigue patterns was to examine the relationship between sleep characteristics and postpartum fatigue during the first 6 weeks after delivery. Methods A prospective, longitudinal, descriptive study was conducted of 109 postpartum women. Sleep and fatigue were measured using a 16-item subjective sleep characteristics scale and a 30-statement subjective fatigue instrument. Three measurement points were used: 1) 1–2 days after delivery (before hospital discharge); 2) 2 weeks postpartum; and 3) 6 weeks postpartum. Results Fatigue had a positive correlation with sleep disturbance at all three measurement points, indicating that higher levels of fatigue are associated with more disturbed sleep. No association was found between levels of fatigue and sleep supplementation. Levels of fatigue had a negative correlation with sleep effectiveness at all measurement points, indicating that the women were more fatigued if they perceived their sleep quality and adequacy to be poor or if they perceived the time spent sleeping to be short. Conclusions To reduce fatigue, nurses should focus on exploring ways to reduce maternal sleep disturbance and improve maternal sleep effectiveness. It is unclear whether the age-old advice to “nap when your baby naps” is effective in reducing postpartum fatigue.

The relationship between sleep characteristics and fatigue in healthy postpartum women.

Objective To review the literature concerning the midwifery concept of being with woman and the related nursing concepts of presence and social support during childbirth. Data Sources Literature in the English language from 1985 through 2000, using MEDLINE and CINAHL. Data Extraction Discussion of articles from relevant journals and textbooks were included. Pertinent older sources, which enhanced the understanding of the concepts, were reviewed. Data Synthesis Being with woman is defined as the provision of emotional, physical, spiritual, and psychological presence/support by the caregiver as desired by the laboring woman. Ample evidence exists for including being with woman as a central concept of the model of care for women in labor. The qualitative review indicates that women value and desire the attributes of the concept during childbirth. The qualitative and quantitative literature demonstrate beneficial physiological and psychological outcomes for women who experience being with woman. Conclusions Obstetric units would be wise to incorporate the being with woman model of care as routine policy for the care of laboring women by midwives and nurses. Being with woman provides psychological and physiological benefits for women, client satisfaction, and potential cost savings.

https://www.jognn.org/article/S0884-2175(15)34018-1/pdf

Being With Woman: A Guiding Concept for the Care of Laboring Women

Objective To provide an overview of the literature regarding lesbian experiences of childbirth and to offer health care providers guidance in supporting the childbearing lesbian couple. Data sources A search of the literature from 1980 through 2004 was conducted using PsycINFO, Ovid, PubMed, Ebscohost, and Cinahl, and the key words, lesbian, childbirth, parenting health care providers, pregnancy, artificial insemination, parental rights. Data extraction A critical review of all articles from relevant journals was included with attention to the needs of lesbian women concerning childbirth and implications for health care provider care. Data synthesis The four areas of concern identified for lesbians considering parenting were (a) the pros and cons of disclosing sexual orientation to caregivers and finding lesbian‐sensitive caregivers, (b) the options available when deciding how to conceive, (c) assurance of the desired level of partner involvement, and (d) the legal considerations for the conception process and for the protection of both parents as well as the child. Methods and strategies to assist health care providers to meet the needs of lesbian clients were gleaned from the literature. Conclusion A growing numbers of lesbian women are becoming consumers of childbirth health care. Health care outcomes of lesbian women and their infants are affected by experiences during pregnancy and childbirth and by the attitudes and actions of health care providers. Evidence exists that health care outcomes for lesbians are improved when health care providers are knowledgeable about and sensitive to the unique needs of lesbian clients. JOGNN , 35, 13‐23; 2006. DOI: 10.1111/J.1552‐6909.2006.00008.x

https://www.jognn.org/article/S0884-2175(15)34347-1/pdf

Lauren P. Hunter

Papers

A Selective Review of Maternal Sleep Characteristics in the Postpartum Period

The relationship between sleep characteristics and fatigue in healthy postpartum women.

Being With Woman: A Guiding Concept for the Care of Laboring Women

Lesbian Experiences and Needs During Childbirth: Guidance for Health Care Providers

Women Give Birth and Pizzas Are Delivered: Language and Western Childbirth Paradigms