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Although breastfeeding initiation rates are rising in Canada, rates of continued breastfeeding remain far below international recommendations. Two factors that can have a positive influence on breastfeeding outcomes are maternal confidence and support and education provided by public health nurses (PHNs). The weighing of newborns by PHNs within the first days after birth is standard practice in monitoring neonatal health. However, little is known about the effect of the timing of PHN neonatal weighing on maternal confidence or on outcomes such as intended duration of breastfeeding and formula supplementation rates. This pilot study compared breastfeeding self-efficacy, intended duration of breastfeeding and formula supplementation rates in two groups of mothers and newborns randomly assigned to different weighing protocols. Newborns in the standard care group were weighed post hospital discharge on day 2 or 3 after birth (n = 23), while those in the experimental group were weighed on day 5 (n = 26). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups. However, a statistically significant increase in formula supplementation over the two-week study period was observed in the standard-weighing group and not in the delayed-weighing group. This finding suggests that further research is needed to assess the impact of PHN infant weighing protocols on breastfeeding outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used around the world for cancer. Preliminary research indicates that cultural factors influence cancer patients? decisions to use, with significant associations seen between ethnicity and prevalence and type of CAM use. To enhance a culturally-appropriate understanding of CAM use in Chinese cancer patients in BC, this study explored a sample of Chinese cancer patients to gain: (1) the general conceptualization of CAM use; (2) the meaning of CAM use in relation to cancer; (3) the patterns of CAM use prior to and after cancer diagnosis; (4) the reasons for CAM use; and (5) the socio-cultural process in making decision about CAM use. A naturalistic, descriptive study design was used that incorporated semi-structural ethnographic interviewing and qualitative data analysis. The results of this study provide insights about the pattern, reasons, meaning, as well as cultural and socioeconomic factors underpinning the use of CAM. The CAM decision-making (DM) process was found to be nonlinear and comprised of four distinct phases: fitting with the cultural belief framework/lifestyle, seeking information and clarification, evaluating the effectiveness of CAM use, and balancing the cost and benefits of CAM use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]