About this Research Topic
This Research Topic delves into interventions designed to elevate health behaviours, and address determinants among pregnant adolescents and young women. Acknowledging the distinct challenges faced by this group, our study collection will explore inventive strategies aimed at enhancing maternal health, well-being, and overall outcomes.
Adverse maternal health behaviours encompass inadequate antenatal care utilization, tobacco smoking, physical inactivity, poor nutrition and supplementation, mental health concerns, and alcohol use. Lack of awareness of risk factors like hypertension, obesity, gestational diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV, and sexually transmitted diseases among pregnant women, along with inadequate subsequent treatment, also contribute to pregnancy complications. Interventions targeting health behaviour modification often address underlying determinants including beliefs, attitudes, social norms, self-efficacy, coping skills, male relationships' influence (family members or partners), resiliency, and knowledge levels.
This research topic will delve into the intricate determinants influencing health behaviours during pregnancy among adolescents and young women. Exploring socio-cultural, economic, psychological, and environmental factors, contributors illuminate the complex interplay affecting decision-making and the adoption of health-promoting behaviours. Our comprehensive collection aims to spotlight evidence-based interventions and customized approaches that empower pregnant adolescents and young women to make informed choices, ultimately leading to enhanced maternal and neonatal health outcomes. We strongly encourage submissions from LMICs.
Papers that comprise Original Research, Review articles, and Study Protocols are welcomed. We welcome articles that cover novel interventions among pregnant adolescents and/or young women for improving health and lifestyle behaviours, improving pregnancy outcomes, or changing risk factors for pregnancy complications.
Articles may also cover:
1) Novel methods of community engagement recruitment, and retention in existing research studies
2) Feasibility, concept or cost-effectiveness studies;
3) Health systems, health care worker or community-based interventions;
4) Ethical considerations related to behavioural intervention research in pregnancy; and
5) The role of males in pregnancy outcomes (such as sexual partners, fathers, or other family members).
Keywords: pregnancy, interventions, adolescents, young women, Behaviour Change, Maternal Health Behaviours
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.