Jun Lei

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition affecting women across the lifespan, and exercise is often recommended as a first line treatment st

Background: Perinatal depression (PND) is a major public health concern, affecting both maternal and infant health. While numerous studies have examined risk factors for PND, most focused on single pregnancy stages, with limited evidence spanning the full perinatal period. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of PND across pregnancy and postpartum, and identify stage-specific influencing factors among Chinese women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,047 participants in early pregnancy (T1: ≤ 13 weeks), 543 in mid-pregnancy (T2: 14–27 weeks), 421 in late pregnancy (T3: ≥ 28 weeks to delivery), and 424 within 6 weeks postpartum (T4), recruited from The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Demographic, psychological, and physiological data were collected, and PND was assessed using the Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS, cutoff ≥10). Results: The prevalence of PND was 30.95% at T1, 20.81% at T2, 18.29% at T3, and 28.07% at T4. Influencing factors varied across stages: in T1, relationship status, partner characteristics, family functioning, stress, and sleep quality were significant; in T2, health insurance, life events, social support, and sleep quality played key roles; in T3, family income, partner occupation, and family functioning were associated with PND; in T4, minority status, parental self-efficacy, history of ectopic pregnancy, and infant feeding method emerged as significant predictors. Conclusion: The prevalence and determinants of PND differ markedly across pregnancy and postpartum. These findings highlight the importance of stage-specific screening and tailored interventions: addressing relationship and family dynamics in early pregnancy, social support and healthcare access in mid-pregnancy, financial stability in late pregnancy, and parenting-related stressors postpartum. Targeted strategies may improve prevention and management of PND and ultimately enhance maternal mental health outcomes.

Background: Fertility treatment discontinuation is of serious concern worldwide, yet the prevalence of discontinuation from fertility treatment has not been quantified at the regional or global level. Objectives: To perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the global prevalence of fertility treatment discontinuation in infertile patients, and to examine the follow‐up pregnancy/live birth rate after discontinuation of fertility treatment. Search Strategy: We searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL and American Psychological Association from inception to February 2024 without language or time restrictions. We also searched gray literature and hand‐searched the list of relevant references. Selection Criteria: We included all original studies in the English language that reported prevalence data on discontinuation and its follow‐up pregnancy/live birth rate. Data Collection and Analysis: Two independent reviewers performed study quality assessment, data extraction and analysis. A random‐effects model was used to pool the overall prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Main Results: A total of 62 studies involving 330 593 infertile patients from 20 countries were included in the review. The overall pooled prevalence of discontinuation across all fertility treatments was 0.36 (95% CI: 0.31–0.41). Specifically, the prevalence of discontinuation in assisted reproductive treatments was 0.37 (95% CI: 0.32–0.42). Prevalence rates of discontinuation show an increasing trend with the course of treatment, particularly within the first four treatment cycles, ranging from 23% after the first failed cycle to 36% after the fourth failed cycle. Among these discontinuers, the follow‐up pregnancy rates were 0.22 (95% CI: 0.12–0.32), and the live birth rates were 0.21 (95% CI: 0.15–0.27). Conclusions: This review provides evidence that treatment discontinuation occurs in approximately one in every three infertile patients. Further research is warranted to develop effective intervention strategies for preventing and managing early treatment discontinuation in this population.

Background: Nurses’ breastfeeding knowledge plays a significant role in promoting breastfeeding. Assessing nursing students’ breastfeeding knowledge is crucial to devise effective educational strategies. Research Aims: To assess breastfeeding knowledge among nursing students in mainland China and identify the factors associated with it. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the status of breastfeeding knowledge and its associated factors among Chinese nursing students ( N = 1606). Data were collected through a network survey platform (WJX), utilizing a researcher-designed questionnaire and the Nursing Student’s Knowledge about Breastfeeding Questionnaire. The associated factors were analyzed using independent sample t tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: The mean score for breastfeeding knowledge was 52.37 ( SD = 27.39) out of 100. Passing is considered > 60. The breastfeeding knowledge score was higher in participants in their 3rd ( β = 0.11, p < 0.001) and 4th year of study ( β = 0.08, p = 0.006), and when participants reported deep breastfeeding-related learning ( β = 0.21, p < 0.001). Lower knowledge levels were associated with incomplete breastfeeding related courses ( β = -0.11, p < 0.001), no reported exposure to seeing breastfeeding ( β = -0.08, p = 0.001), low confidence in effectively supporting breastfeeding ( β = -0.11, p < 0.001), and a lack of enthusiasm for the profession of nursing ( β = -0.06, p = 0.018). Conclusion: This study suggests there is a need to adopt a more comprehensive approach to breastfeeding education in order to enhance nursing students’ breastfeeding knowledge. This could improve what they can offer in practical experience towards supporting breastfeeding.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health issue that affects women after giving delivery. Despite extensive research into the effect of socio-psychological, demographic, and obstetric factors on PPD, the biological factors of pregnant women remain incompletely elucidated. Thus, the purpose of this study is to look at the connection between biological variables discovered through standard testing and PPD. Method: We recruited a total of 187 pregnant women who underwent routine examinations at a hospital between October 2022 and December 2023. Their biological factors, such as complete blood count results, liver and kidney function test results, and infectious disease test results were collected. We investigated the relationship between biological variables and PPD using univariate and multivariate methods. Results: There were 36 participants (19.25%) diagnosed with PPD. Univariate analysis unveiled significant associations between hematocrit levels, creatinine levels, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B e antibody, and hepatitis B core antibody with PPD. Multivariate analysis further substantiated a notable correlation between lower hematocrit levels and PPD (coef = −0.07, 95% CI: −0.15-0.01). Conclusion: Pregnant women with lower hematocrit levels appear to have an elevated risk of developing PPD. Thus, it is essential to pay heightened attention to the risk of PPD during routine examinations, particularly among individuals with lower hematocrit levels.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the status of pregnancy stress and to explore factors associated with pregnancy stress among women by China’s two-child policy. Methods: A mixed-method study involving both quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The questionnaires encompassed socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, as well as the Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale (PSRS) and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Initially, the participants were required to complete the questionnaires, enabling us to assess their respective pregnancy stress statuses. Subsequently, we selectively interviewed pregnant women with a second child and exhibited at least mild pregnancy stress. The qualitative study sought to uncover the factors contributing to their stress during pregnancy. Results: A total of 463 subjects were enrolled; of the subjects, 22 (4.8%) had no stress, 407 (87.9%) had mild stress, 34 (7.3%) had moderate stress. Generalized linear regression analysis revealed significant factors (P<0.05) related to pregnancy stress, including family financial burden, subjective support, fertility desire, gender of the first child, and gender preference. Additionally, 16 subjects were interviewed, and through analysis, three major themes emerged, each comprising 12 sub-themes associated with pregnancy stress. These themes were identified as fertility factors (worry about maternal and child health, birth experience, and parenting stress), family factors ( financial burden, second child care problems, first child’s acceptance of the second child, family concerns, fertility desire, and gender preference) and social factors (involving life events, career development and workload). Conclusion: The diver factors contribute to pregnancy stress among pregnant women under China’s two-child policy. Our study could be used to develop appropriate interventions to reduce pregnancy stress and to enhance the mental health of women pregnant with a second child.