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Background: Irrespective of the surrounding debate on the morality of sex work as a profession, academia has largely overlooked the toxic and violent environment that surrounds the children of female sex workers in red light areas. For instance, the existing literature seems to be only driven by objectives (and often in singularity) like access to education, models of family and care, and not paying enough attention to the voices of the children, their experiences wants and desires., Objective: The study aimed to amplify the voices of the children of the Kalighat red light area, gain a holistic understanding of the challenges they face, and plan and implement interventions that prioritize their well-being. In the process, it also delves deep into understanding how female sex workers (who are also mothers) protect their children from the pervasive violence faced in their setting., Participants and Setting: The study includes 10 consenting children (aged between 12 and 17) and 5 female sex workers from the Kalighat red light area in West Bengal, India., Methods: The researcher conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with the children of female sex workers and carried out in-depth interviews with the female sex workers themselves., Results: The findings of the study uncover six themes namely, Unveiling Hidden Trauma; Barriers to Education and Social Mobility in Kalighat Red Light Area; Challenges in Establishing Personal Boundaries; Self-Awareness and Personal Agency as a Coping Mechanism; Adaptive Resilience and Coping Strategies; and Vigilance and Long-Term Planning., Conclusion: The voices of children in the Kalighat red light area illuminate the pressing need for holistic interventions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest I hereby declare that I have no conflicts of interest with the publishers regarding the submission and future publication of this original work., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Stunting is a major health problem in Indonesia. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of mothers who take care of stunted children in rural Pamekasan Madura, Indonesia., Methods: This research employed a phenomenological approach and conducted in-depth interviews with 11 mothers in rural Pamekasan Madura, Indonesia, using purposive sampling. Data collection took place from June to September 2023., Results: This study presents Madurese mothers' experiences caring for their children with stunting through two themes and five sub-themes: (a) beliefs passed down for generations: strong ancestral influence on feeding behaviors, traditional food, and traditional health-seeking behavior; and (b) insufficient resources on nutrition: a lack of time and money to provide nutrition-rich food and a lack of nutrition information., Discussion: Cultural beliefs, a lack of nutrition education, and economic barriers contribute to stunting in children. Our findings guide the design of tailored interventions for preventing stunting in Indonesian families and global communities., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is one of the most commonly used theories to explain oral health behaviors. To gain a deeper understanding of the determinants of oral health behaviors, we aimed to design and evaluate the psychometrics of a theory of planned behavior model-based instrument for assessing the determinants of oral health behaviors in mothers of children younger than six years in Iraq., Methods: Questionnaires and guidelines related to the topic were searched in 2023, and the appropriate items based on the domains of the TPB model were extracted. The items were revised and completed to develop the initial version of the instruments. Face validity and content validity of the instrument were assessed. The content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) were calculated subsequently. The construct validity was examined by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Cronbach's alpha, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and percentage of agreement were employed to check the tool's internal consistency and reproducibility reliability. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 and Amos software., Results: The questionnaire had adequate content validity (CVR ≥ 0.75, CVI ≥ 0.75). The percentage of agreement, Kappa, and ICC coefficients were 57.1-95.3%, 0.52-0.89, and 0.43-0.90, respectively. The p-value for ICC was significant in all cases (p < 0.001). For the internal stability of the tool to keep Cronbach's alpha values > 0.7 for all domains, we had to omit three questions from attitude, one from subjective norms, and one from perceived behavioral control. In terms of construct validity, the results were as follows: the Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) was 0.942, the Comparative Fit Index (CFI) was 0.900, the Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (AGFI) was 0.921, and the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) was 0.046. These values indicate that the instrument demonstrates appropriate construct validity based on the TPB., Conclusion: The psychometric evaluation of the designed instrument showed that it was a valid and reliable tool in Arabic-speaking countries for determining child-related oral health behaviors in mothers of children under six years old., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was carried out in compliance with the Helsinki Declaration The research protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS.DENTISTRY.REC.1401.105) and the College of Dentistry Research Ethics Committee of Mustansiriyah University (MUPEDO1.REC132). The subjects gave informed consent before their recruitment. Participants could leave the research at any time, and their information remained confidential. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Objective: Transition to parenthood is a vulnerable period for individual health and partnership quality. This study investigated parental health and partnership after childbirth in families with and without maternal eating disorder (ED) history. We report longitudinal data on parental ED psychopathology, depressive symptoms, and adjustment, including dyadic associations., Method: Data derived from the prospective multi-method cohort study EMKIE. Women with (n = 24) and without (n = 33) ED history and their partners took part from late pregnancy to 10 months postpartum and completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Maternal Adjustment and Maternal Attitudes Questionnaire or the paternal equivalent., Results: ED psychopathology increased in mothers in both groups. Mothers in the ED group had more severe ED psychopathology, higher depression scores, and lower levels of adjustment to motherhood compared to the control group across all measurement points. No group differences emerged between partners, but ED psychopathology increased in partners of women with ED history over time. A negative correlation between maternal ED severity and paternal adjustment was observed in the ED group., Discussion: After childbirth, mothers with ED history experienced mental health deterioration and adjustment difficulties and fathers struggled with paternal adjustment if their partner was affected by severe ED symptoms. These results emphasize the need for close monitoring and consistent care of women with ED during this vulnerable period and highlight adjustment needs of partners of severely affected women. Further qualitative approaches are needed to deepen the knowledge of paternal experiences during this period., (© 2024 The Author(s). International Journal of Eating Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Broader Autism Phenotype (BAP) traits may be present in parents of children on the autism spectrum. However, the prevalence and impact of these traits on parental mental health is poorly understood. We explore BAP traits and its relationship to mental health in 228 fathers and 261 mothers from a sample of 266 scholars from the EPINED study (Spain) grouped as follows: non-autism (N = 122), autism traits (N = 93: 38 subthreshold autism and 55 autism symptoms) and autism (N = 51). BAP rates were higher in fathers (36.9%) than in mothers (26.1%). Moreover, BAP was significantly more frequent in fathers of autistic children (52.3%) than in fathers of children without autistic traits (28.0%), with no differences between autistic conditions groups. Mothers of autistic children exhibited higher psychological distress (36.0%) than mothers of comparison group (19.2%). Fathers with BAP obtained significantly higher scores in emotional problems than fathers without BAP. Multivariate analyses showed that, fathers' emotional problems were associated with their BAP traits, whereas in mothers they were associated with having a child with autism as well as the child's emotional dysregulation. Identifying BAP in parents of autistic conditions children can help professionals to provide specific strategies for improving the well-being of children and parents., (© 2024 The Author(s). Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction/objectives: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, few studies have examined how participation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) impacts diet quality in families with young children. This study aims to explore the association between SNAP and/or WIC participation and diet quality in mother-child dyads in Greater Boston, MA., Methods: A mixed-method approach involving cross-sectional surveys and in-depth interviews were utilized. Participants included 69 mother-child dyads for quantitative and 18 mothers for qualitative data collection. Analysis of covariance using generalized linear models was employed to compare differences in Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) scores based on SNAP and/or WIC participation, and thematic analysis was used for coding themes., Results: Mothers who participated in SNAP and/or WIC were more from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and education, no significant differences in diet quality were found for both mothers and their children. However, qualitative results showed that mothers prioritized their children's nutrition, used benefits to buy fruits and vegetables, and experienced stress that impacted their own diet quality., Conclusions: Since the pandemic, SNAP and WIC appeared to support families experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage (e.g., lower income and educational attainment) to improve diet quality, particularly through increased access to fruits and vegetables. However, these programs have not fully eliminated persistent disparities in diet quality, which seems to continue even the pandemic's immediate effects have subsided., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objectives: The literature shows connections between maternal depression, children's executive function (EF), and emotional overeating (EOE). This study examined the interplay between maternal postpartum depression, EF, and EOE. We hypothesized that higher levels of postpartum depression would lead to lower inhibition and emotional control and higher levels of EOE. We also explored whether inhibition and emotional control mediate the relationship between postpartum depression and EOE., Methods: The analysis included 297 families (49 % of children were female at birth; 82 % of caregivers were White) from a longitudinal birth cohort study in the US Midwest (N = 468). Maternal self-reports assessed postpartum depression at six weeks using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Children's EF at 24 months was measured with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version, and EOE at 48 months was assessed using the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire., Results: While accounting for child gender, parent race, and education, there was a positive indirect effect of postpartum depression on EOE through children's inhibitory and emotional control difficulties. There was also a significant direct effect between postpartum depression and EOE. These results suggest that higher levels of postpartum depression in mothers may be associated with children's lower EF abilities (e.g., inhibition and emotional control), which may, in turn, lead to higher levels of EOE., Conclusion: Early maternal depressive symptoms may have important implications for children's EF and EOE behaviors. The current findings stress the need to address symptoms of postpartum depression in mothers, even though symptoms may not reach clinical levels., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Dr. Samantha Iwinski declares no conflict of interest. Dr. Qiujie Gong declares no conflict of interest. Sehyun Ju declares no conflict of interest. Dr. Kelly Freeman Bost declares no conflict of interest. All participants provided verbal and written consent in accordance with the University of Illinois' Institutional Review Board., (Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To examine the mediating role of observed maternal responsiveness and maternal self-regulation on the association between maternal education and children's self-regulation., Methods: English-speaking mother-child dyads (n = 189) were recruited from a previous study and were eligible if the child was kindergarten eligible at the start of the 2020 to 2021 or 2021 to 2022 school year. Key measures included: Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form for maternal emotional self-regulation, Culturally Affirming and Responsive Experiences for maternal responsiveness, and the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders for child self-regulation. The association between years of maternal education and child self-regulation was examined with linear regression, and the mediation analyses utilized 4 subsequent steps examining their relations. These steps were checked through a series of linear regressions, and beta weights were used to describe associations. Each potential mediator was examined separately., Results: Children of mothers with higher education had significantly higher self-regulation, slope of 1.3 (95% confidence interval 0.3, 2.4, P = 0.015, beta = 0.18). Further, mothers with higher education had significantly higher observed responsiveness. The beta-weight of 0.34 (P < 0.001) supported maternal responsiveness as a mediator. Finally, in the test for direct and indirect effects, observed maternal responsiveness explained 29% (95% confidence interval 3.3%, 115%) of the association between maternal education and child self-regulation., Conclusions: This study highlights a key mechanism related to children's self-regulation skills and the significant role of observed maternal responsiveness in explaining the association between maternal education and child self-regulation., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose., (Copyright © 2025 Academic Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Mothers are the main mediators in the process of selecting and buying food for their children., Objective: Describe the purchasing attitude of mothers in response to the demand for ultra-processed foods by children between 8 and 12 years of age. For this, it was proposed: i) Characterize the ultra-processed foods that children request according to their mothers, ii) ii) Identify the factors considered when purchasing the foods requested by their children, iii) Evaluate their perception of the influence of advertising in their children's demand for food, and iv) Describe their attitude towards the behavior of children during purchases of ultra-processed foods., Methods: Non-experimental, cross-sectional, and descriptive quantitative study. An online survey was designed that allowed reaching the participation of 126 mothers of 153 children. Data were analyzed using univariate descriptive analysis techniques., Results: Sweet and salty cookies, desserts and ice creams, and sugary drinks were the products most requested by children. Mothers mainly considered price and nutritional quality when purchasing these foods. In addition, 83.3% of mothers stated that food advertising influences their children's demands. At the insistence of the children, more than 50% of the mothers occasionally agreed to purchase, although 73.8% had no difficulties refusing the requests., Conclusion: The purchasing attitude of mothers mediates between the demands of their children and their own decisions, establishing limits regarding certain foods requested., (Universidad Nacional de Córdoba)

Background: The restriction of access to health services during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in self-medication. This study aims to examine mothers' use of nutrient supplements with over-the-counter (OTC) medications for their children, including instances of self-medication for themselves. The study also explores maternal characteristics associated with this behavior, the specific medications used, and the reasons for use., Method: In this descriptive study, 450 mothers with children aged 2 to 6 years in Türkiye were recruited through social media platforms. Questions focused on whether mothers used supplements for themselves and their children, types of products, frequency, and reasons for use. Multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted to examine the factors associated with OTC medication use for children., Result: Nearly half of the mothers reported administering OTC medications to their children. Factors associated with this practice included the child's age (specifically 48-72 months), attendance at nursery, perceived underweight status, and regular health visits with a pediatrician. Additionally, mothers who frequently used medications without a doctor's recommendation were 5.8 times more likely to give OTC drugs to their children. Maternal self-medication was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of OTC medication use for children (OR = 12.1). The most commonly used supplements included vitamin D, fish oil, multivitamins, vitamin C, immune boosters, zinc, probiotics, herbal teas, oral/nasal sprays, throat lozenges, and aspirin, with the primary purposes being prevention and treatment., Conclusions: The administration of OTC medications in young children, who rely heavily on maternal care should be more closely monitored to ensure their safety and well-being, especially during epidemics.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of living with mothers with schizophrenia from childhood to the present from the perspective of their now-adult child., Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with 10 adult children of mothers with schizophrenia. The data were collected in South Korea from July 2017 to March 2018 and thematic analysis was employed. Purposive sampling was used., Results: Four themes were identified: (1) Navigating Childhood Confusion and Isolation Due to Maternal Schizophrenia, (2) Journey Through Loneliness, Resentment, and Emerging Responsibility, (3) Facing real-life difficulties as an adult child with vulnerability, and (4) Satisfaction in well-grown self., Conclusions: Notwithstanding the real-life difficulties due to the unstable life with their mothers with schizophrenia, the children still had faith and confidence in themselves as well-grown thus far. Reflection on memories with their mothers served as a basis for continued maternal-child relationship and for taking on the role of guardians despite the negative experiences of their mothers' psychotic symptoms. Mental health nurses and school health professionals should pay attention to the children of mothers with schizophrenia and their difficulties in providing appropriate mental health services., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declared no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, especially for children. The aim of this scoping review was to investigate the role of mothers in preventing childhood TB transmission and highlight effective strategies and associated barriers. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, covering articles up to January 17, 2024. The search included keywords like "mother," "parents," "care," "prevention," and "tuberculosis." Eligibility criteria included peer- reviewed articles on maternal health interventions for TB prevention in children and published in English. The study selection process involved screening titles and abstracts, followed by full-text reviews by Rayyan Artificial Intelligence (AI). Eighteen studies were analyzed, revealing the crucial roles of mothers and healthcare workers in TB prevention. The results indicated that in South Africa, only 47% of eligible pregnant women underwent Mantoux testing, with lower rates in rural areas. The isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) uptake rate was 79%, with geographical variations. Barriers included insufficient patient information, inadequate screening facilities, and healthcare providers' knowledge gaps. Parental involvement, particularly by mothers, is vital for adherence to TB preventive measures. Challenges in integrating TB case-finding with antenatal care and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services included inconsistent screening and healthcare worker shortages. Enhancing health services, reducing stigma, and integrating TB prevention into existing programs are essential. In conclusion, this review underscores that effective childhood TB prevention requires a coordinated approach that incorporates the efforts of the mother and healthcare worker. Addressing barriers such as contact tracing gaps and diagnostic delays, alongside enhancing maternal health education and support, is essential for improving TB prevention and management. Targeted interventions and collaborative efforts are needed to reduce transmission and improve health outcomes, particularly in bridging rural-urban disparities., Competing Interests: All the authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

This study, guided by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), aimed to investigate whether attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control can predict parents' intentions to reduce or stop adding sugar to their child's beverages, such as tea or milk. The research also seeks to determine the predictive power of the TPB on the actual behavior of parents in reducing or halting sugar intake in their children's drinks. A questionnaire was developed to assess sweetening beverage behavior variables by mothers of children aged 3-7 years attending Lebanese public schools, with 184 responses retained with no missing values for analysis. Regression analysis was utilized to examine determinants of self-reported practice and intentions regarding sweetening beverages. Results showed that attitude and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of intention to reduce or stop adding sugar to a child's beverages. The perception of behavioral control was found to predict the behavior of adding sugar to a child's beverages, even though the intention to reduce or stop did not. The study findings suggest that individuals with low perceived behavioral control and strong habits would be more likely to be actual performers of the adding sugar behavior regardless of their intention level. When adding sugar to a child's beverages is a common parental habit in low-income Lebanese families, our findings offer valuable insights for developing culturally and socially tailored health promotion strategies to reduce or stop adding sugar to children's beverages and raise parental awareness about the health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption in children., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background/objectives: Despite efforts within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goal to end malnutrition by 2030, malnutrition and soil-transmitted helminth infections persist in sub-Saharan Africa. A significant barrier to success is the inadequate understanding of effective intervention methods. Most research on the gut microbiota's role in health has been conducted in developed countries, leaving a critical gap in knowledge regarding low-income populations. This study addresses this gap by expanding research on the gut microbiota of underprivileged populations to help tackle these public health challenges., Methods: We employed 16S rDNA sequencing to assess the bacterial gut microbiota composition of 60 children (mean age: 26.63 ± 6.36 months) and their 58 mothers (mean age: 30.03 ± 6.31 years) in Pemba, with a focus on helminth infection and nutritional status., Results: Our differential abundance analysis identified bacterial taxa that were significantly negatively associated with both helminth infections and malnutrition, highlighting the potential for microbiota-directed interventions to address these health issues simultaneously. Notably, we identified Akkermansia , Blautia , Dorea , and Odoribacter as promising probiotic candidates for such interventions. In stunted children, positive co-occurrences were observed between Lactobacillus , Prevotella , and Bacteroides , while Escherichia/Shigella displayed negative co-abundance relationships with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers in the gut microbiota. These findings suggest that administering Lactobacillus and SCFA-producing probiotics to children may foster the growth of beneficial bacteria like Prevotella and Bacteroides while reducing the relative abundance of Escherichia/Shigella , potentially enhancing overall health., Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of microbiota-directed interventions in children and women of reproductive age as promising strategies, alongside established approaches, for combating helminth infections and malnutrition in vulnerable populations.

Background: The study examined whether there were linear and curvilinear relationships between the trust beliefs in physicians by the children, those by their mothers and the children's medical health. The study examined whether there were changes in those relationships across time., Methods: The data gathered in a previous study were subjected to further analyses. One hundred and forty-three children with asthma (116 males, M age  = 12 years and 7 months) and their mothers were administered standardized scales twice across 1 year. The scales assessed the children's trust beliefs in physicians, the mothers' trust beliefs in physicians, the children's quality of life and the children's adherence to prescribed medical regimes., Results: Quadratic relationships were found between the children's quality of life and both their and their mothers' trust beliefs in physicians. The quadratic relationship increased over time. Linear relationships were found between trust beliefs in physicians and children's adherence to prescribed medical regimes., Conclusion: Children with asthma are prone to a lower quality of life when they and their mothers hold very high, as well as hold very low, trust beliefs in physicians. Children's trust beliefs in physicians increase the probability of adherence to prescribed medical regimes., (© 2024 The Author(s). Child: Care, Health and Development published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Linear growth faltering remains a pervasive public health concern that affects many children worldwide. This study aimed to investigate possible maternal factors promoting normal linear growth among children aged 6-23 months of age from impoverished Rwandan households., Methods: We used a three-stage cluster sampling procedure. The study population consisted of children aged six to 23 months and their mothers who lived in the study districts. A structured questionnaire helped to collect data from 807 selected mother-child dyads. The primary outcome variable was height-for-age Z scores. The main predictors were maternal income-generating activity, maternal education, maternal depression, household decision making, number of ANC visits, use of family planning method, types of family planning, and mode of delivery. We used univariate analysis to establish median, frequencies, and percentages. Furthermore, we used the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and Spearman rank correlation tests for bivariate analysis. We included in the final model of robust linear regression for multivariate analysis the potential confounding variables identified as significantly associated with the outcome (child age, participation in works for both parents, good handwashing practice, owning a vegetable garden, and the total number of livestock) along with maternal factors., Results: Maternal factors that promoted normal linear growth of children were the presence of maternal income generation activity (β= 0.640 [0.0269 1.253], p value = 0.041), the participation of the mother in the decision-making process of the household (β=0.147 [0.080 0.214], p-value < 0.001), and the higher frequency of consultations with ANC (β=0.189 [0.025 0.354], p-value = 0.024). Additionally, a combination of household decision-making with the number of ANC visits predicted an increase in the linear growth of the child (β=0.032 [0.019 0.045], p-value < 0.001)., Conclusion: Maternal factors such as maternal income-generating activity, maternal participation in household decision making, and increased number of ANC visits were found to promote normal child linear growth. These results contribute valuable information to the formulation of interventions and policies to improve child nutrition and growth in the community studied., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Maternal perceptions, about the nutritional status of their children, may have implications for timely health care seeking and feeding behaviour. Shreds of evidence are limited in this area that assessed maternal perception about the nutritional status of the children in the context of Bangladesh. The objective of this study is to assess the differences in mothers' perceptions about their children's nutritional status who are less than 5 years of age and their associated factors in the context of urban slum areas. A cross-sectional study (Quantitative approach) was conducted in two of the largest urban slums of Dhaka city. A total of 437 mother-children dyads were included in the final analysis. The outcome of interest was the mother's 'varied perceptions' regarding the nutritional status of their children under five. 'Varied perception' refers to the difference between a mother's subjective assessment of her child's nutritional condition and the anthropometrically measured nutritional status. The prevalence of mother's varied perceptions was around 46%, and among them, 37% of mothers underestimated and 9% overestimated their child's nutritional status. 'The child doesn't want to eat' (AOR = 3.69; 95% CI: 2.34-5.85; p < 0.001) and 'Feels light when carried' (AOR = 3.39; 95% CI: 1.69-6.81; p = 0.001) were the significant reasons behind the mother's perception about the nutritional status of their under-five children. About one in two mothers' perceptions about their children varied from the anthropometry-derived status. Various research findings indicate that providing health education on proper feeding practices for children, along with anthropometric measurements, can assist mothers in enhancing their understanding and assessing their child's nutritional status with greater accuracy. Further qualitative research may be instrumental in getting deeper insights into maternal perception to develop context-specific interventions., (© 2024 The Author(s). Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Research has shown that negative sexual attitudes are associated with lower levels of sexual functioning among men and women, however, little is known about how attitudes about mothers as sexual beings are associated with sexual functioning for parents., Aim: The aim of the current study was to examine how attitudes toward mothers as sexual beings (ATMSB) were associated with sexual functioning for women and partners of women among parents with young children., Methods: Cross-sectional retrospective data were collected online via Qualtrics Panels from 475 women and men (partnered to women) who reported having their first child within the last 5 years.Outcomes: The Revised Female Sexual Function Index and revised Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-Short Form were used to measure sexual function in women and men, respectively., Results: Results indicated that after controlling for age and relationship length, more positive ATMSB predicted higher levels of sexual functioning (and multiple domains of functioning) for men and women.Clinical Implications: These findings indicate that sexual functioning, especially in parents, is linked to the attitudes held toward seeing mothers as inherently sexual (or not)., Strengths and Limitations: This is the first study to examine how attitudes toward mothers as sexual beings can impact sexual functioning, though the cis heterosexual mostly white sample is a notable limitation., Conclusion: ATMSB may need to be examined and challenged in the context of treating sexual dysfunction during this transitional period for mothers and those partnered to mothers., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The International Society for Sexual Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Delayed breastfeeding initiation is a significant public health concern, and reducing the proportion of delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa is a key strategy for lowering the Child Mortality rate. However, there is limited evidence on this public health issue assessed using advanced models. Therefore, this study aimed to assess prediction of delayed initiation of breastfeeding initiation and associated factors among women with less than 2 months of a child in East Africa using the machine learning approach., Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) dataset covering the years 2011 to 2021. Using statistical software (Python version 3.11), nine supervised machine learning algorithms were applied to a weighted sample of 31,640 women and assessed using performance measures. To pinpoint significant factors and predict delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa, this study also employed the most widely used outlines of Yufeng Guo's steps of supervised machine learning., Results: The pooled prevalence of delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa was 31.33% with 95% CI (24.16-38.49). Delayed breastfeeding initiation was highest in Comoros and low in Burundi. Among the nine machine learning algorithms, the random forest model was fitted for this study. The association rule mining result revealed that home delivery, delivered by cesarean section, poor wealth status, poor access to media outlets, women aged between 35 and 49 years, and women who had distance problems accessing health facilities were associated with delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa., Conclusion: The prevalence of delayed breastfeeding initiation was high. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of breastfeeding practices and the need to consider socioeconomic, healthcare, and demographic variables when addressing breastfeeding initiation timelines in the region. Policymakers and stakeholders pay attention to the significant factors and we recommend targeted interventions to improve healthcare accessibility, enhance media outreach, and support women of lower socioeconomic status. These measures can encourage timely breastfeeding initiation and address the identified factors contributing to delays across the region., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Walle, Abebe Gebreegziabher, Ngusie, Kassie, Lambebo, Zekarias, Dejene and Kebede.)

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the experiences of Jordanian mothers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in order to better understand the challenges they face while caring for their children., Design and Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was applied, using semi-structured face to face interviews with a purposive sample of 10 mothers of children with CP., Findings: Mothers caring for children with CP embark on a challenging journey. Navigating the diagnosis begins with shock and disbelief, followed by emotional struggles as they deal with the new reality. This initial phase also involves caregiving challenges and hardships. Mothers may experience societal stigma and feelings of rejection, which can contribute to social isolation. Additionally, the physical demands of care can lead to financial hardships. These financial constraints can further limit access to specialized care, creating a frustrating cycle for mothers. Throughout this process, mothers demonstrate resilience by adapting to the illness. This encompasses making changes in their lives, actively seeking support, and developing expertise in managing their child's specific needs., Conclusions: The results shed light on the emotional, physical, and social challenges faced by mothers of children with CP. The findings show a narrative of adaptation, resilience, and strength, encompassing adjustments to the diagnosis, substantial life changes, seeking support, and addressing challenges such as social stigma, isolation, and various hardships., Practice Implications: Our findings lay the foundation for tailored interventions and empathic support for mothers caring for a child with CP., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to create and evaluate a care needs scale for mothers of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) to determine its psychometric properties., Design and Methods: This methodological research was conducted with 155 mothers whose children were diagnosed with CHD and were treated at a university hospital. The study's methodology included scale development, specialist opinions, and a pilot test. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and reliability assessments., Results: The 11-item scale was created using component analysis, expert comments, and pilot testing. It was divided into two categories: Information Needs Regarding Disease and Treatment and Needs Regarding Care. The Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a 2-factor structure, explaining 41.5% of the variance. Reliability analysis showed reliable dimensions, and Tukey's scalability test indicated the scale requires separate dimension evaluation. The model fit indices were obtained as CMIN/DF (72.751/41) = 1.774, GFI = 0.925, IFI = 0.923, TLI = 0.893, CFI = 0.920, RMSEA = 0.071, SRMR = 0.063. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for subdimension 1 was 0.758, and for subdimension 2 was 0.678, indicating reliable dimensions., Conclusion: The developed scale provides a valuable tool for assessing the care needs of mothers of children with CHD, contributing to enhancing maternal support programs in pediatric cardiology clinics., Practice Implications: Assessment of the care needs of mothers who have children with CHD is promising for the development of educational programs on this subject and to ensure the competence of mothers for care., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe the Coronovirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic impact among mothers of young children (0-8 years) and assess prepandemic factors associated with greater pandemic impact and psychosocial distress., Methods: Mothers from 3 US birth cohorts (n = 301, mean child age 2.4 years) reported on demographics and psychosocial distress (anxiety, perceived stress, financial stress) before the pandemic (February 2015-February 2020). During the pandemic (July 2020-June 2021), they completed a supplemental survey about the impact of the pandemic on their families (Coronavirus Impact Scale) and psychosocial distress. Multivariable linear and ordinal logistic regression were used to evaluate prepandemic factors associated with pandemic impact overall and by domain., Results: Compared to prepandemic reports, maternal anxiety symptoms increased by 9.4%, perceived stress increased by 13.3%, and financial stress increased by 41.7%, of which all were statistically significant changes. Participants reported the most severe pandemic impact in family routines (72.4%), experiences of stress (40.2%), and social support (38.6%). Mothers with some college or a 4-year degree experienced higher overall pandemic impact compared to mothers with the least and highest education. Prepandemic distress was not associated with pandemic impact; however, midpandemic, all 3 distress measures were significantly positively associated with overall Coronavirus Impact Scale, with the largest effect size noted for perceived stress (B = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.90,1.82)., Conclusions: While, on average, mothers of young children experienced worsening psychosocial stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, prepandemic psychosocial stress alone was not prospectively associated with greater pandemic impact, suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic may have both elaborated existing systemic social inequalities and created new burdens., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships, which may be considered as potential competing interests: Sara Johnson reports that financial support was provided by the National Institutes of Health. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Academic Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effect of education given with motivational interviewing techniques on mothers of children with allergic asthma aged 4-11 years on asthma control and knowledge level., Methods: The research was designed according to the CONSORT checklist with a randomized controlled design. 76 participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n = 38) or control group (n = 38). The intervention group received asthma education utilizing motivational interviewing techniques from a pediatric nurse. The control group received no further education. The Childhood Asthma Control Test and Asthma Knowledge Level Questionnaire were used to collect data. The control group received only education at the time of discharge., Results: The mothers' asthma control and asthma knowledge scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.001). In the experimental group, asthma control scores increased from 14.29 ± 4.27 to 21.37 ± 1.57 after education. The mean score of the asthma knowledge score increased from 54.74 ± 10.89 to 73.47 ± 7.17 after intervention., Conclusions: The study showed that education using motivational interviewing techniques for mothers of children with allergic asthma increased their knowledge and positively affected asthma control., Implications to Practice: Education is important in improving mothers' knowledge about allergic asthma. Asthma education using motivational interviewing techniques should be provided when their children are newly diagnosed. Education practices should be implemented as a policy in hospitals and pediatric clinics, and nurses should be supported in ensuring the implementation of education practices., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no actual or potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Breast milk is the first, highly valuable, and solely natural food recommended for infants in their first six months of life, which is critical for children's overall growth and development. Evidence suggests that exclusive breastfeeding differs by geographic area in Ethiopia. However, little is known regarding the geographic distribution of exclusive breastfeeding practice. Hence, this study aimed to assess exclusive breastfeeding practice, its geographic variation and associated factors among Ethiopian mothers., Method: The study used the 2019 Ethiopian mini demographic and health survey data. All living children born 0-23 months before the survey were included. Global Moran's I statistics on Arc-GIS and Getis Ord Gi* statistics was used to visualize the spatial pattern and hotspot and cold spot areas, respectively. Kulldorff SaTScan was used to show purely significant spatial clusters. The associated factors were identified using a multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model. Statistically significant factors were reported using the AOR with a 95% CI and a p-value of < 5%., Result: The coverage of exclusive breastfeeding practice in Ethiopia was 56.05% (95% CI: 53.95%, 58.10%). The spatial pattern was non-random across the country's regions. Somalia, Gambela, Benshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa, and Harari regions had low clustering of exclusive breastfeeding practices, whereas Amhara, Eastern SNNPR, and Central and Northern Oromia regions had high clustering. Children born through caesarean delivery [AOR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.63], initiated breastfeeding within the first 1 h [AOR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.90], after 1-24 h of delivery [AOR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.54], after a day [AOR = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.08], and women residing in the pastoralist region [AOR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.39] or city administrations [AOR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.89] had lower odds of exclusive breastfeeding practice., Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding practice in Ethiopia remained low. The practice had a spatial variation across the country. Caesarean section delivery, late breastfeeding initiation, and region were statistically significant variables. Therefore, promoting timely initiation of breastfeeding and improving the utilization of maternal health services and designing special intervention strategy for women residing in city administrations and pastoralist regions of the country may increase the coverage of exclusive breastfeeding practice., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Child cancer impacts the entire family. However, those who identify as mothers may be most negatively affected due to the societal expectations placed upon them in primary caregiving. This study was conducted with the aim of exploring the lived experiences of mothers of children with cancer and their adaptation to their child's illness., Methods: This study employed a qualitative and hermeneutic approach using Heideggerian phenomenology as a philosophical framework. Our sampling strategy was purposive. Mothers (n = 14) of children diagnosed with cancer participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The seven-steps of critical hermeneutic analysis were used to summarize and interpret findings., Results: Analysis revealed that participants' adaptation to their child's illness occurs through comprehensive support and the utilization of empowering beliefs. The theme of comprehensive support included sub-themes of seeking informational support, seeking psychological support, and seeking social support. The theme of utilizing empowering beliefs encompassed sub-themes of resilience against cultural misconceptions and reliance on spiritual beliefs. Furthermore, one constitutive pattern 'mothers' efforts to overcome difficult twists and turns in living with children with cancer' was identified.This related to participants' striving to navigate the twists and turns of life's hardships., Conclusions: Relationships and social context are vital and important features of this phenomena. Employing a team approach to provide comprehensive support to mothers of children with cancer involving physicians, nurses, and psychologists can be supportive in their adaptation to their child's cancer. Additionally, reductions in cultural taboos surrounding cancer could facilitate improved adaptation to childhood cancer for these mothers., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Leukemia, as one of the most common pediatric cancers, has negatively affected many children around the world. Parents often experience increased feeling of distress shortly after being informed about their child's diagnosis. The distress experienced by parents can adversely affect various aspects of their life. This study aimed to develop an understanding of the lived experience of the mothers whose children suffer from leukemia in Shiraz, Iran., Methods: This phenomenological study was performed from April to August 2023, and 10 people were selected as participants by purposive sampling. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were performed for collecting the data., Results: The participants' lived experiences during their children's leukemia were classified into five main categories, namely behavioral problems, spiritual issues, psychological problems, issues related to treatment, and economic matters., Conclusion: Knowing the experiences of parents, especially mothers, in managing and planning for the care of these children seems essential., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Children from families who immigrated to the United States may consume a lower-quality diet compared with their US-born peers. However, specific features of their dietary patterns, which could be a focus for improving diet quality, are not well-studied., Objective: The aim of this study was to examine dietary patterns that distinguish interpersonal variability in dietary intake and explore the association of dietary patterns with nutrient intake and weight status., Design: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Live Well randomized controlled trial collected between 2009 and 2010., Participants/setting: Study participants included 313 children (3-12 years) whose mothers immigrated to the United States from Latin America and resided in Somerville, Massachusetts., Main Outcome Measures: Dietary patterns (derived using principal component analysis); nutrient intake (derived from dietary data collected using the Block Food Screener); and weight status (categorized using body mass index z score based on measured height and weight)., Statistical Analyses Performed: Nutrient intake levels were compared across quartiles for dietary patterns using analysis of covariance. Multivariable logistic or linear regression models were used to determine the associations between dietary pattern scores and odds of overweight or obesity or z scores., Results: Two dietary patterns emerged: "fruits and vegetables" and "meat and sweets." Highest adherence to the fruits and vegetables pattern was associated with more healthful nutrient intake and lower odds of having overweight or obesity (odds ratio 0.37; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.98), but not body mass index z score (β = -.07; 95% CI -.51 to 0.36) compared with the lowest adherence. Adherence to the meat and sweets pattern was associated with less healthful nutrient intake but not with the odds of experiencing overweight or obesity (odds ratio 0.48; 95% CI 0.16 to 1.46)., Conclusions: A healthful dietary pattern in children of families who immigrated to the United States from Latin America may include a variety of fruits and vegetables. Longitudinal studies should be conducted to further assess the role of dietary intake patterns on the health of these children., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) often experience co-occurring psychosocial difficulties, the developmental trajectories of which are still not fully understood. This study sought to explore the manifestation of such difficulties during childhood, through first-hand accounts of those with DLD and their close relatives. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 mothers of children with DLD (aged 6-12 years old) and were analysed alongside the secondary data from interviews of five adults with DLD. Interviews were conducted online; all participants resided in Europe and were fluent in spoken and written English. A process of interpretive phenomenological analysis resulted in the development of five overall themes: experiencing anxiety, social frustrations, maintaining factors, childhood strengths and the parenting experience. Cognitive appraisals appeared particularly important during childhood in both escalating and maintaining anxiety, low self-esteem, emotion dysregulation and social frustrations. High levels of isolation and stress were experienced by all mothers. The findings suggest parents in the United Kingdom and Ireland require more support and guidance at the point of diagnosis than is currently provided. Emphasis was given to the link between children's experience of anxiety and social behaviours, such as withdrawal, as well as their intolerance of uncertainty. Internalising symptoms were a prioritisation for intervention during childhood by both parents and adults with DLD., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: The motivation of caregivers plays a crucial role in the treatment, follow-up, and care of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Previous studies have focused on the older people and end-stage diseases, while giving less attention to the motivation of mothers caring for children with special needs. This study aimed to explore the motivations of mothers caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Iran., Methods: This study employed a qualitative approach, guided by the Self-Determination Theory. Purposeful sampling was initially used, followed by theoretical sampling until data saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 26 mothers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mayring's seven-step directed content analysis approach was utilized for coding and categorization. The research adhered to ethical standards and ensured data trustworthiness through credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability measures., Results: The findings revealed that mothers' caregiving motivations could be classified into four main categories: (I) intrinsic, (II) identified-extrinsic, (III) introjected-extrinsic, and (IV) external-extrinsic. Additionally, twelve sub-categories were identified within these four main categories., Conclusion: The findings revealed that mothers demonstrated varying levels of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By recognizing and enhancing the diverse sources of motivation, healthcare providers and policymakers can better support mothers in their caregiving roles, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for both the mothers and their children., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Key essential nutrition actions (ENA) messages are a comprehensive and evidence-based nutritional package designed to improve the nutritional status during the critical first 1,000 days of life. The poor practice of ENA contributes significantly to mortality and morbidity related to malnutrition in young children. However, there is a dearth of studies focusing on the practice of key ENA messages among mothers and the factors associated with their practice. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the practice of key ENA messages among mothers of children aged 6 months to 2 years in Karat town, Konso zone, South Ethiopia in 2024., Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study involving 421 mothers of children aged 6 months to 2 years was conducted in Karat town, Konso zone, South Ethiopia from January 15 to February 29, 2024. Respondents were chosen using computer-generated random numbers. A structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Following coding and entry into EpiData 3.1, the data were exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Logistic regression (bivariate and multivariable) was employed to identify factors influencing mothers' practice of key ENA messages, and statistical significance was set at p  < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval., Results: The study found that 47.6% (95% CI: 42.8, 52.42%) of mothers demonstrated good practices. Having secondary education or higher, institutional delivery, receiving nutritional counseling during antenatal care (ANC), receipt of postnatal care (PNC) services, having good knowledge, and having a good attitude towards ENA all increase the likelihood of good practice., Conclusion: This study emphasizes the need for multifaceted interventions to improve ENA practice among mothers residing in Karat town. To effectively address this issue, it is crucial to implement targeted education programs, strengthen postnatal care services, and nutritional counseling into routine antenatal care, promote institutional deliveries, and enhance awareness., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Kasse, Aschalew, Desalegn, Jebero, Moga and Haile.)

Introduction: A peer support intervention using 'Mentor Mothers' was implemented for mothers who had migrated to Sweden, living in socially disadvantaged communities. The Mentor Mothers had a high degree of freedom to develop strategies for facilitating empowerment of their clients according to perceived needs. This study aimed to investigate which empowerment facilitation strategies that Mentor Mothers perceived to be relevant, feasible and effective., Methods: Photovoice was used to generate qualitative data. Participants took photographs of their work which were then discussed during a focus group discussion and six individual semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis., Results: Four overarching strategies to facilitate empowerment were identified, corresponding to distinctive perceived needs in the target group: (1) Informative support responded to a need for making sense of the external context, by helping mothers navigate society, the process of parenthood and cultural parenting norms. (2) Practical support addressed a need for managing challenges in daily life, by facilitating contacts with welfare services and authorities and to enhance parenting practices. (3) Psychosocial support addressed a need for improved mental wellbeing, by instilling feelings of safety and security in daily life, relationships and in contacts with public institutions. (4) Motivational support responded to a need for finding fulfilling purpose, by promoting social interaction, encouraging civic engagement and sharing the challenges and successes of others to inspire hope., Conclusions: These results highlight various aspects of peer support for empowerment facilitation that future interventions targeting immigrant parents can use in their intervention design., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: This study aimed to examine determinants of undernutrition among children under 2 years of age., Design and Methods: A matched case-control study design was conducted to recruit 300 mothers comprising 100 mothers with an undernourished child (case group) and 200 mothers with a healthy child (control group). Measurements consisted of demographic characteristics of children data, mother's data, household data, mother's knowledge of child undernutrition, mother's knowledge of nutrition, complementary feeding practices, and undernutrition parameters of the children. A conditional logistic regression was used to identify determinants of undernutrition. The risk of undernutrition was estimated by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was defined as any p value of <.05., Results: Findings showed that mother's knowledge of undernutrition (AOR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.91-0.98), mother's knowledge of nutrition (AOR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.85-0.96), and mother's knowledge (AOR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.67-0.91) and behavior of complementary feeding practices (AOR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-0.99) were significant determinants of undernutrition (p < .05)., Practice Implications: Mothers with high scores on knowledge of undernutrition, knowledge of nutrition, and knowledge and behaviors of complementary feeding practices would benefit the children under 2 years to reduce the risk of undernutrition. Healthcare professionals (i.e., pediatric nurses and community health nurses) should provide early assessment of knowledge related to undernutrition, nutrition, and complementary feeding practices for mothers with children under 2 years., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: This study aimed to examine the long-term influence of having a child at risk of different developmental delays (communication, mobility, self-care, relating, learning, coping, or behaving) on parental labor force participation as the child grows., Method: A retrospective cohort was conducted using data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children survey, Waves 1-8 covering birth to 15 years of age of children. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to explore the odds ratio of mothers being out of the labor force at different children's ages. Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to identify the 'risk' of mothers returning to the workforce after leaving. All models were adjusted for the mother's age, education attainment, and employment status at time of birth, as well as marital status at the current wave., Results: There were 5,107 records of children, and 266 of them were at risk of any developmental delays at age 4-5 years. This sample represents 243, 026 children born in Australia in 2003/04. After adjusting for potential confounders, mothers of children at risk of each type of developmental delay (except mobility and self-care) had greater odds of being out of, and not returning to the labor force from children aged 2-3 to 14-15 years, when compared to mothers of children who are not at risk of developmental delays. Similar differences were found for fathers but were distinctly small and with narrower fluctuations, compared to mothers., Conclusion: Policies and programs funded by the government are greatly needed to support the mothers of children at risk of developmental delays., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

More than 140 million children under five suffered from stunting in 2020. This highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing childhood malnutrition globally. We utilized data from a nationally representative sample of children under five years of age (n = 14,151) who participated in five cycles of the South African National Income Dynamics Study (SA-NIDS) (2008-2017). We estimated the proportion of stunted children attributed to the mothers' anthropometric characteristics and socioeconomic conditions. We also quantified the population-level burden of low-socioeconomic conditions on hunger/food insecurity among pregnant women (n = 22,814) who participated in the nine rounds of the South African General Household Surveys (GHS) (2008-2021). Results from weighted-multivariate logistic regression were incorporated into the population-level impacts of correlates of stunting and low-socioeconomic conditions. The prevalence of stunting declined from 25% in 2008 to 23% in 2017. Mothers' anthropometric measures (underweight/height < 160 cm), marital status, low education, absence of medical insurance and low-socioeconomic conditions were all identified as the most influential risk factors for stunting. Their population-level impacts on stunting increased substantially from 34% (in 2008) to 65% (in 2017). Comprehensive strategies emphasizing enhanced food security, extended breastfeeding, appropriate nutrition, and access to adequate healthcare and education are urgently needed to reduce the burden of food insecurity low-socioeconomic, malnutrition, and its long-term consequences., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Preschool-age children use mental state verbs (MSVs; e.g., think, know) to reference thoughts and other cognitive states. In play-based language, MSV use requires conversational flexibility, as speakers shift from discussion of actions happening in the here-and-now to more abstract discussion of mental states. Some evidence suggests that children who stutter (CWS) demonstrate subtle differences in shifting on experimental tasks of cognitive flexibility, differences which may extend to conversational flexibility. This study explored MSV use in conversational language between CWS and their mothers., Methods: Thirty-five preschool-age CWS and 35 age- and gender-matched children who do not stutter (CWNS), all performing within the typical range on standardized language testing, conversed with their mothers during play. Samples were transcribed and coded for MSV use., Results: No between-group differences were observed in MSV use, either between the CWS and CWNS or between the groups of mothers. Age and language skills were positively associated with MSV use in the CWNS group only. For both groups of dyads, mothers' MSV use corresponded at least to some extent to their children's language skills. Finally, correspondence between CWNS and their mothers was observed for two conversational language measures, representing lexical diversity and morphosyntax; this overall pattern was not observed in the CWS dyad group., Conclusions: Although these findings point to similar use of MSVs among the groups of children and their mothers, for the CWS group, the patterns of use in relation to age and language skills are somewhat different from developmental expectations., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Dr. Julie Anderson serves as the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Fluency Disorders and was not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. Other than this declaration, the authors have no competing financial, professional, or personal relationships to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Emergence delirium is a common complication in children. Recorded mother's voice, as a non-pharmacological measure, is increasingly used to prevent the emergence of delirium in pediatric patients, but sufficient evidence is still needed to prove its efficacy., Methods: Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Sinomed databases were searched for randomized controlled trials exploring the efficacy of recorded mother's voice in preventing the emergence of delirium in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia. The original data were pooled for the meta-analysis with Review Manager 5.4.1. This study was conducted based on the Cochrane Review Methods., Results: Eight studies with 724 children were included in the analysis. Recorded mother's voice reduced the incidence of emergence delirium when compared with either no voice (RR: 0.45; [95 % CI, 0.34 - 0.61]; p < 0.01; I 2 = 7 %) or stranger's voice (RR: 0.51; [95 % CI, 0.28 - 0.91]; p = 0.02; I 2 = 38 %) without increasing other untoward reactions. In addition, it shortened the post-anesthesia care unit stay time when compared with no voice (MD = -5.64; [95 % CI, -8.43 to -2.58]; p < 0.01, I 2 = 0 %), but not stranger's voice (MD = -1.23; [95 % CI, -3.08 to 0.63]; p = 0.19, I 2 = 0 %). It also shortened the extubation time and reduced the incidence of postoperative rescue analgesia., Conclusion: The current analysis indicated that recorded mother's voices could reduce the incidence of emergency delirium, shorten post-anesthesia care unit stay time and extubation time, and decrease the incidence of postoperative rescue analgesia in children., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the variables that influenced a sample of Omani mothers' support for mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for children. The vaccination against COVID-19 averted millions of fatalities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, a considerable number of parents and caregivers opposed mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at several healthcare facilities in Oman using a structured questionnaire between February and March 2022. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyse the data., Results: A total of 700 Omani mothers (response rate = 73.4%) who had children aged 5-11 years old were included. The median age of the mothers was 38 ± 5.19 years. The results of multivariable logistic regression were generally consistent with those of the univariable analysis except for age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58-1.93; P = 0.86) and income (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.58-2.03; P = 0.79). Mothers who were vaccine hesitant (OR = 9.82, 95% CI: 5.27-18.28; P <0.001), tested positive for COVID-19 (OR = 3.25, 95% CI: 1.80-5.86; P <0.001) and had one or two doses of COVID-19 vaccines (OR = 5.41, 95% CI: 2.92-10.03; P <0.001) were more likely to refuse mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children 5-11 years old., Conclusion: Mothers who were vaccine hesitant, tested positive for COVID-19 and had one or two doses of COVID-19 vaccines were more likely to oppose mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for young children. The findings should aid public health authorities in designing future childhood vaccine literacy programmes with specific attention to some subgroups in Oman to help reduce opposition to vaccines in future pandemics among mothers., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© Copyright 2024, Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, All Rights Reserved.)

Problem: Among birth defects, a cleft palate is one of the most common defects globally, with a prevalence rate of 1 in 700 live-born children per annum. Caring for a child with cleft palate is considered a challenge for mothers who provide around clock care for these children. Despite this, there is limited knowledge of their experiences and needs particularly in low resource settings., Background: Previous literature emphasized that mothers of children with cleft palate face many challenges involving emotional distress, social isolation, and financial burden., Question: To investigate the emotional and social concerns of mothers of children with Cleft Palate compared to mothers of children without cleft palate., Methods: A comparative study design was conducted at the Jordanian Royal Medical Services using convenience sample of 312 mothers of children with and without cleft palate in Jordan., Findings: There was a significant difference in the presence of anxious feelings between mothers of children with cleft palate and those mothers without cleft palate children. Within group comparison for mothers of children with cleft palate has shown a significant difference in their social concerns with regards to social support and child's future., Discussion: Mothers of children with cleft palate reported significantly higher levels of sadness feelings. These emotions could be attributed to several factors, including the financial burden associated with medical treatment and interventions, the burden of caring for a child with special needs, the social stigma related to the child's appearance, the lack of public awareness, and the insufficient social support services., Conclusion: Mothers of children with Cleft Palate experience a considerable amount of emotional and social concerns which require urgent interventions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no conflict of interest in this work., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study aims to investigate the parenting experiences of mothers who care for children with cancer in Jordan and specifically focuses on the communication experiences of mothers who care for children with cancer., Methodology: A qualitative research design employing a narrative inquiry methodology was adopted; it employed the implementation of twenty semi-structured interviews with the mothers of children with cancer recruited from one pediatric hospital located in Amman, Jordan., Findings: The findings of this study reveal that the majority of mothers attempted to conceal or delay any discussion regarding the diagnosis with their child, particularly during the immediate post-diagnosis period. Additionally, the mothers expressed that their relationships with the parents of children diagnosed with the same illness contain positive and negative aspects. Finally, most mothers participating in this study praised the role of hope in helping them cope with the challenging health condition of their children., Conclusions: The findings of this study reveal that mothers would withhold diagnostic information from their children for several reasons: firstly, they wished to safeguard their children from feelings of distress; secondly, they perceived that their children were too immature to fully comprehend the seriousness of their diagnosis; and, finally, they desired to protect their children from unnecessary fear and negative emotions., Practical Implications: Pediatric cancer care requires effective communication between physicians, pediatric nurses, caregivers, and children; clear and accurate communication between healthcare providers and parents of children with cancer ensures that they fully understand the diagnosis and can make values-based decisions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no known conflict of interest, financial or other to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hypertension is the greatest and the most preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Excessive sodium (Na) intake and insufficient potassium (K) intake have been identified as risk factors for hypertension. Socioeconomic status (SES) may be related to diet quality. In Japan, few studies have examined the relationship between urinary Na and K excretion and SES in adults, and there are no studies in children. In 2014, 1944 children (1382 households) in all public elementary schools in Yaese town, Okinawa, Japan were recruited to participate in a study. Casual urine specimens were collected to estimate 24-h urinary Na and K excretion and urinary Na/K ratio. Mother's educational background and household incomes were assessed and used as indicators of SES. A total of 236 pairs of children and their mothers were analyzed in this study. Urinary Na and K excretion were not significantly related to educational levels of mothers and household incomes in children. On the other hand, in mothers, lower household income group had higher 24-h estimated urinary Na excretion and urinary Na/K ratio than other groups. There was no significant difference between urinary excretion and educational levels in mothers. Household income disparities in urinary levels seen in mothers were not seen in children. There may be some factors that moderate the dietary inequalities in children., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Japanese Society of Hypertension.)

First-aid practices after a domestic accident are not always known, especially in Africa. This study aimed to measure mothers' knowledge of emergency procedures and attitudes in the event of domestic accidents in children. We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Orodara health district, Kénédougou province, Burkina Faso, among mothers of children aged 0-14 years. The dependent variable was the mothers' knowledge of domestic accident first-aid practices, and the independent variables were the sociodemographic characteristics of the households and the mothers. Determinants were identified using linear regression with a threshold of 5%. A total of 798 mothers were surveyed. The mean knowledge score was 6.9 (standard deviation = 1.5) out of 19. Upon our multivariate analysis, the factors associated with the mothers' knowledge about first-aid practices were the mothers' age, the number of children under 14 years old living in the same household, the household size, the score for knowledge of non-recommended attitudes, the mothers' level of education, and the place of residence. This study showed that awareness campaigns, especially in rural areas, seem important in improving mothers' knowledge of first-aid practices in domestic accidents and, therefore, reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with domestic accidents.

Introduction: Depression is increasingly affecting mothers in poor countries such as Uganda. Various interventions have been implemented to tackle this problem, but their sustainability is under-researched. Here we present follow-up data on maternal depression six years after a cluster-randomized controlled maternal education trial in rural Uganda., Methods: The intervention lasted six months and consisted of nutrition, hygiene, sanitation and child stimulation education, delivered to 511 mothers of 6 to 8 months' old children. Six years later we assessed maternal depressive symptoms using two psychometric tools; the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CESD)., Results: For this follow-up study, data was available from 307/511 (60 %) mothers. Intention-to-treat analyses adjusting for clustering showed that the intervention mothers had non-significantly less depression symptoms (absolute score difference - 2; 95 % CI -5 to 0; p = 0.07) on BDI-II, and borderline significantly less depression symptoms (absolute score difference - 3; 95 % CI -5 to 0; p = 0.05) on CES-D compared to the controls. For categorized depression scores, the control mothers had significantly higher proportion of women classified in the worse depression categories for both BDI-II and CESD. We did not find any baseline characteristics associated with maternal depression., Limitations: The BDI-II and CES-D tools are both self-reported and we cannot rule out the possibility of social desirability bias in reporting of depression symptoms., Conclusion: Six years after the maternal education trial, some benefits on maternal mental health were sustained. More studies are warranted on sustainability and scale-up of such interventions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None of the authors declare any competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Child immunization is crucial to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases. However, if a child defaults from completing immunization, they are at a greater risk of contracting such diseases. Previous studies have evaluated various factors that contribute to defaulting from immunization, but they did not consider the fear of COVID-19 as a variable. Additionally, there is inconsistency in the factors identified across different areas. This study aimed to examine the determinants of defaulting from child immunization among children aged 15-23 months in Kacha Bira district, Kembata Tembaro zone, South Ethiopia., Methods: A study was conducted using a community-based unmatched case-control design to identify the determinants of child immunization completion. The study included 255 children aged 15-23 months in the Kacha Bira district from 3 May 2022 to 1 June 2022, using a multi-stage sampling technique. Face-to-face interviews of mothers or immediate caretakers of the child were conducted using a mobile device, and the questionnaire was developed using the Kobo Toolbox. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the determinants, and the adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI and a p < 0.05 were considered statistical significant., Results: The multivariable logistic regression analysis identified four independent predictors of immunization defaulting. Antenatal care (ANC) follow-up [AOR = 5.40, 95% CI (2.24-13.52)], postponing vaccination schedule [AOR = 2.28, 95% CI: (1.05-4.93)], parity of the mother [AOR = 3.25, 95% CI: (1.45-7.27)], and knowledge of the mother about vaccination [AOR = 6.77, 95% CI: (2.33-19.64)] were determinants of immunization defaulting., Conclusion: In this study, lack of ANC follow-up, postponement of the vaccination schedule, mothers with parity of greater than four, and poor knowledge of the mothers about immunization were identified as determinants of immunization defaulting., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Masebo, Wolka, Kussa, Uloro, Handiso, Libabo, Anjajo and Bogino.)

Background: The nurturing care framework (NCF) encompasses responsive caregiving, health, nutrition, safety and security by parents and other caregivers. It improves health, development and wellbeing of children. A hospital environment can be detrimental to the developmental and emotional needs of children hence NCF can be applied to hospitalized children., Objective: The objective was to determine if (i) play stimulation intervention mediated by non-specialist providers (caregivers) improves mental status of children who are hospitalized; (ii) to examine if difference varies between different providers and iii) if there is variation based on child age and criticalness of illness., Method: A one-group pretest-posttest research was carried out using purposive sampling in a pediatric unit in Karachi, Pakistan, from November 2017 to December 2019. Children aged 3 months to 6 years were offered play stimulation by trainee psychologists. The outcome was measured through an observation tool, the Mental Status Examination Scale (MSE-S) developed for the study., Results: A total of 524 sessions were delivered to 351 children. Significant mean difference was observed on MSE-S before and after the intervention when it was provided by trainees (9.95, CI = 8.11, 11.7), mothers (mean difference = 5.86, CI = 5.30, 6.42), fathers (mean difference = 5.86, CI = 4.48, 7.24) and non-specialist providers [caregivers (mean difference = 5.40, CI = 3.91, 6.89). Significant differences in mean was observed on MSE-S across different age groups and criticalness of illness., Conclusion: It was concluded that play stimulation not only affects the behaviour of children but also varies when delivered by caregivers and trainees. Hence, interventions that involve parents are feasible., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a rapidly globalizing medical category, and there is a need to attend to the on the-ground processes through which laypeople deploy the ADHD label in different local contexts. Based on in-depth interviews with Israeli mothers of children with ADHD, this article explores how mothers, as lay actors in the social field of diagnosis, interpreted the origins and meanings of their child's 'troubles'. The temporal perspective on mothers' meaning-making processes revealed a progression of four common phases through which mothers revisited their understanding of ADHD, and recast their own responsibilities and moral roles. We found that mothers' self-understanding was crucially impacted by the invisibility of the disability and the fact that diagnosis did not fully relieve them from blame for their children's stigmatizing behavior. While not all mothers accepted the validity of the diagnosis, participating in the medicalization of their child's condition allowed them to reach similar pragmatic and narrative goals. We discuss the cultural and institutional features of the Israeli ADHD landscape that shape mothers' narratives of their children, and their relations with expertise. We point to a culturally unique framing of children with ADHD in Israel as those characterized by emotional vulnerability and risk of social exclusion., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Caregiving experiences are implicated in children's depression risk; however, children's neural reactivity to positive and negative feedback from mothers, a potential mediator of depression risk, is poorly understood. In a sample of 81 children ( M age = 11.12 years, SD = 29), we used fMRI to characterize children's neural responses to maternal praise and criticism. Maternal history of depression was unrelated to children's brain activity during both the praise and criticism conditions; however, ROI analyses showed that children's self-reported depressive symptoms were negatively associated with functional activity in the left anterior insula and right putamen while hearing maternal criticism. Whole-brain analyses showed that children's depressive symptoms were positively associated with left inferior frontal gyrus activity while listening to maternal praise. These findings complement past work implicating these brain regions in the processing of emotionally salient stimuli, reward processing, and internal speech. Given associations between early depressive symptoms and later disorder, findings suggest that maladaptive neural processing of maternal feedback may contribute to children's early emerging risk for depression.age = 0.63), some of whom were recruited based on a maternal history of depression ( n = 29), we used fMRI to characterize children's neural responses to maternal praise and criticism. Maternal history of depression was unrelated to children's brain activity during both the praise and criticism conditions; however, ROI analyses showed that children's self-reported depressive symptoms were negatively associated with functional activity in the left anterior insula and right putamen while hearing maternal criticism. Whole-brain analyses showed that children's depressive symptoms were positively associated with left inferior frontal gyrus activity while listening to maternal praise. These findings complement past work implicating these brain regions in the processing of emotionally salient stimuli, reward processing, and internal speech. Given associations between early depressive symptoms and later disorder, findings suggest that maladaptive neural processing of maternal feedback may contribute to children's early emerging risk for depression.

Introduction: A South African social innovation based on peer support for mothers was contextualized in southern Sweden. The objective of the project was to support expectant women and mothers of young children in immigrant communities to access public services that would benefit maternal and child health. This study aimed to assess how the intervention was implemented, what the contextual barriers and facilitators were, and how the implementation was perceived by those who delivered and received it., Methods: The study used mixed methods with a convergent parallel design and followed the Medical Research Council guidance on process evaluations of complex interventions. Semi-structured interviews ( n = 19) were conducted with peer supporters, client mothers, and key stakeholders involved in the intervention. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative data on peer supporters' activities were collected during contacts with client mothers and were presented descriptively., Results: The five peer supporters had 1,294 contacts with client mothers, of which 507 were first-time contacts. The reach was perceived as wide, and the dose of the intervention was tailored to individual needs. Barriers to implementation included community mistrust of social services, norms on gender roles and parenting, and funding challenges. The implementation was facilitated by the organization's reputation, network, experience, and third-sector affiliation. Peer supporters tended to prioritize linking clients to other services over the educational components of the intervention, sometimes doing more than what was originally planned. Implementation strategies used included building trust, using multiple outreach venues, using internal support structures, and providing practical assistance as an entry point to comprehensive psychosocial support. The personal connection between peer supporters and clients was highly valued, and the building of relationships enabled them to address sensitive topics. Peer supporters sometimes experienced a blurred line between professional and personal roles., Conclusions: Peer supporters used a variety of strategies to navigate identified barriers and facilitators. Trust was central both as a contextual factor and a strategy for implementation. It is valuable to maintain a balance between flexibility and adherence to the function of peer supporters. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of the intervention., Competing Interests: PK and MM both participate in the steering group of the peer support project in Malmö, Sweden. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Kåks, Stansert Katzen, Målqvist, Bergström and Herzig van Wees.)

The etiology of oral diseases in children is complex and multifactorial. The oral health of children can be influenced by various factors, including parental knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, as well as socioeconomic status. The objective of this study was to assess, among mothers of children aged 6-12 years, (1) mothers' knowledge about their children's oral health, (2) mothers' attitude toward their children's oral health, and (3) mothers' dental behavior concerning their oral health and to evaluate their influence on their children's dental caries. This cross-sectional study involved three questionnaires to be filled in by mothers of primary school children in addition to an oral examination of their children to measure decayed, missing, filled teeth for primary (dmft) and permanenet (DMFT) dentitions. The mother-child pairs were recruited through multistage stratified random sampling of primary schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was comprised of four sections: 1-demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status 2-Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory (mothers' attitudes and behavior pertaining to their oral health) 3-mothers' knowledge regarding the oral health of their children 4-mothers' attitude toward their children oral health. A total of 1496 mother-child pairs completed the study. The mean values of dmft were 4.08 ± 3.47; DMFT was 1.82 ± 2.07; total dmft and DMFT were 5.65 ± 4.05. According to the questionnaire results, mothers in private schools had a more favorable attitude and behavior toward their oral health, as well as a more favorable knowledge and attitude toward their children's oral health. The multiple linear regression model revealed that children's dmft/DMFT scores were significantly related to mother education, mother questionnaire scores, and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index. Children's oral health is significantly impacted by oral health-related knowledge, attitude and behaviors of their mothers in addition to income status and education level., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (©2024 The Author(s). Published by MRE Press.)

Background: The Maluku region encompasses thousands of islands. The study analyzed factors related to stunting among children under two years old in the Maluku Region of Indonesia. Study Design: A cross-sectional study., Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 4764 children under two years. In addition to nutritional status (stature), the study analyzed ten independent variables (province, residence, maternal age, marital status, maternal education, employment, wealth, children's age, gender, and early initiation of breastfeeding [EIBF]). Finally, the contribution of various factors to stunting was examined using logistic regression., Results: Children in Maluku province were 1.13 times more likely than those in North Maluku province to become stunted. In addition, children aged 12-13 months were 4.09 times more likely than<12 months, and boys were 1.87 times more likely than girls to have the patterns of stunting. Children in rural areas were 1.10 times more likely to become stunted than those in urban areas (95% confidence interval: 1.06, 1.14). Divorced/widowed mothers were 1.88 times more likely than married mothers. Mothers of all education levels were more likely than those without formal education, and unemployed mothers were 1.07 times more likely than employed mothers to have stunted children. The possibility of becoming stunted was lower when the children were wealthier., Conclusion: Nine variables were related to stunted incidence, including province, residence, maternal age, marital status, maternal education, employment, wealth, children's age, and gender., (© 2023 The Author(s); Published by Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.)

Background: Child psychomotor development and factors affecting it today is the subject of interest of many studies, in particular by the experts involved in the protection and improvement of children's health. There is limited evidence on developmental delay among under-five children in low-income countries like Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess gross motor developmental delay and associated factors among under-five children attending public health facilities of Dessie city, Ethiopia., Methods: Facility based cross sectional study design was used among under-five children attending under-five OPD in public health facilities of Dessie town from July 1, 2020 to August 15, 2021. A total of, 417 under-five children were systematically selected based on their average number of clients in a month. A pretested structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and data was entered into Epi-data 3.1 version and it was exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to show the strength and direction of association respectively and P-value less than 0.05 is used to declare statistical significance., Results: The overall proportion of gross motor developmental delay among under-five children attending health facilities of Dessie city, Ethiopia was 16.31%, 95% CI: (13.05, 20.19). Increased age of the child [AOR = 0.97, 95% CI: (0.96, 0.99)], increased gestational age during pregnancy [AOR = 0.47, 95% CI: (0.37, 0.65)], being male [AOR = 5.26, 95% CI: (1.76, 15.67)], having history of alcohol intake during pregnancy [AOR = 7.40, 95% CI: (2.36, 23.25)], taking iron during pregnancy [AOR = 0.04, 95% CI: (0.01, 0.15)], facing fetal and/or maternal complication [AOR = 4.98, 95% CI: (1.20, 20.62)], having instrumental delivery [AOR = 9.78, 95% CI: (2.48, 38.60)] were significantly associated with gross motor developmental delay., Conclusions: The gross motor developmental delay among under-five children was higher as compared to other literatures. This study indicated that, age and sex of the child, iron and alcohol intake during pregnancy, gestational age, mode of delivery and any complication to her and or her neonate were independent variables which showed statistical significant association. The physicians should advise mothers to take iron-folic acid supplement properly and to avoid intake of alcohol during pregnancy. In addition, they should focus on those mothers who faced any complication to her and/or her neonate and better to discourage instrumental delivery unless there are no other options., (© 2023. The Author(s).)