Browsing by Author "Perez-Escamilla, R."
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Item Design and testing of communication materials for a breastfeeding social media marketing campaign: Breastfeed4Ghana(Digital Health, 2020-03-16) Aryeetey, R.; Lasisi, O.; Hromi-Fiedler, A.; Carroll, G.; Perez-Escamilla, R.; Harding, K.Breastfeed4Ghana was a social media-based campaign implemented to address identified gaps in the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding in Ghana. This paper describes the process of campaign materials development and testing to ensure their cultural and content appropriateness. The 60 campaign materials, each consisting of an image and text message, underwent a process of creation, testing, revision, and finalization. Existing research evidence and infant and young child feeding communication tools that were culturally relevant for Ghana were used to develop the materials. All materials were tested and finalized through an iterative process that incorporated input from six focus group discussions (FGDs) with mothers, and content and technical experts. The materials were revised to ensure scientific accuracy, understandability, and cultural appropriateness of the messages, as well as alignment of the messages with the images. Finalized materials were reviewed and approved by the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority. Analysis for this paper involved summarizing and categorizing the types and sources of input as well as the research team’s responses to the input received. The 60 campaign materials received a total of 132 inputs. Most inputs came from FGDs (78.4%); and most inputs were on the campaign material images. The evidence-informed process of materials creation, use of multiple input sources, and a broad-based iterative process allowed the creation of 60 evidence-based and culturally appropriate materials for a breastfeeding social media campaign in Ghana. This paper could serve as a guide for other social media campaign efforts looking to develop culturally appropriate materials.Item Maternal HIV is associated with reduced growth in the first year of life among infants in the Eastern region of Ghana: The research to improve infant nutrition and growth (RIING) project(Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2014-10) Lartey, A.; Marquis, G.S.; Mazur, R.; Perez-Escamilla, R.; Brakohiapa, L.; Ampofo, W.; Sellen, D.; Adu-Afarwuah, S.Children of HIV-infected mothers experience poor growth, but not much is understood about the extent to which such children are affected. The Research to Improve Infant Nutrition and Growth (RIING) Project used a longitudinal study design to investigate the association between maternal HIV status and growth among Ghanaian infants in the first year of life. Pregnant women in their third trimester were enrolled into three groups: HIV-negative (HIV-N, n=185), HIV-positive (HIV-P, n=190) and HIV-unknown (HIV-U, n=177). Socioeconomic data were collected. Infant weight and length were measured at birth and every month until 12 months of age. Weight-for-age (WAZ), weight-for-length (WLZ) and length-for-age (LAZ) z-scores were compared using analysis of covariance. Infant HIV status was not known as most mothers declined to test their children's status at 12 months. Adjusted mean WAZ and LAZ at birth were significantly higher for infants of HIV-N compared with infants of HIV-P mothers. The prevalence of underweight at 12 months in the HIV-N, HIV-P and HIV-U were 6.6%, 27.5% and 9.9% (P<0.05), respectively. By 12 months, the prevalence of stunting was significantly different (HIV-N=6.0%, HIV-P=26.5% and HIV-U=5.0%, P<0.05). The adjusted mean±SE LAZ (0.57±0.11 vs. -0.95±0.12; P<0.005) was significantly greater for infants of HIV-N mothers than infants of HIV-P mothers. Maternal HIV is associated with reduce infant growth in weight and length throughout the first year of life. Children of HIV-P mothers living in socioeconomically deprived communities need special support to mitigate any negative effect on growth performance. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Item Postnatal depression symptoms are associated with increased diarrhea among infants of HIV-positive Ghanaian mothers(AIDS and Behavior, 2012-11) Okronipa, H.E.T.; Marquis, G.S.; Lartey, A.; Brakohiapa, L.; Perez-Escamilla, R.; Mazur, R.E.HIV infection is linked to increased prevalence of depression which may affect maternal caregiving practices and place infants at increased risk of illness. Weexamined the incidence and days ill with diarrhea among infants of HIV positive (HIV-P), HIV negative (HIV-N), and unknown HIV status (HIV-U) women, and determined if symptoms of maternal postnatal depression (PND) modulated the risk of diarrhea. Pregnant women (n = 492) were recruited from three antenatal clinics; mothers and infants were followed for 12 months postpartum. Diarrheal incidence was 0.6 episodes/100 days at risk.More HIV-P thanHIV-NandHIV-Uwomen tended to report PND symptoms (χv2 = 4.76; P = 0.09). Reporting symptoms was associated with an increased risk of infantile diarrhea only amongHIV-P and HIV-Ubut notHIVN women (interaction term, χ2 = 7.84; P = 0.02). Health care providers should be aware of the increased risk of infantile diarrhea when both maternal HIV and PND symptoms are present and take preventive action. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012.