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Discussing nutrition during antenatal care:a qualitative study of midwives' experiences in Nigeria
No full textBackground/Aims Maternal nutrition is important for pregnancy outcomes and midwives are responsible for advising women about nutrition during antenatal care. This study’s aim was to explore Nigerian midwives’ perspectives of the importance of maternal nutrition and their experiences of their role in advising about nutrition during antenatal care.Methods This qualitative study collected data from 10 purposively selected midwives working in healthcare facilities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Semi-structured online interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data were thematically analysed.Results The four themes were: nutrition messages are important; the impact of poor nutrition; current training in nutrition; and multidisciplinary working. Midwives acknowledged the importance of maternal nutrition and demonstrated sound knowledge of maternal nutrition and the risks associated with poor nutrition.Conclusions Nigerian midwives wanted further training about nutrition, particularly related to pregnancy complications such as pica and gestational diabetes mellitus. Further collaboration and teamwork between midwives and dietitians would enhance the provision and acceptance of important nutrition messages during antenatal care.Implications for practice Healthcare professionals need to signpost women to resources that will improve their access to nutritious food during pregnancy. Dietitians with expertise in maternal nutrition should be involved with undergraduate training of student midwives and the continuing professional development of qualified midwives
Major trauma in the elderly: unique challenges and considerations
No full textChallenges of managing trauma in the elderlyThe elderly patient presenting with major trauma poses several challenges to the trauma team involved in their care. Age-related changes in physiology and pharmacology, an increased prevalence of comorbidities, reduced physiological reserve and frailty make elderly patients especially vulnerable to the physiological stress of major trauma. Preexisting conditions and their pharmacological treatments may result in atypical presentations and mask adverse clinical signs, presenting an additionalPrognosticationAssessing and planning care following major trauma requires multidisciplinary input including specialists in care of the elderly and rehabilitation following trauma. This assessment should take place as soon as possible following the traumatic injury and adopt a holistic approach, addressing areas such as pain management, treatment of infections, resolution of delirium, psychological wellbeing and medication optimisation.23 Accurately predicting outcomes following trauma in the elderly isConclusionsThe demographic of the ‘typical’ major trauma patient is rapidly evolving from young and predominantly male to the older adult of either sex with increasing frailty, comorbidity and medical complexity. Providing a high standard of trauma care to this growing and important cohort of patients requires a fundamental understanding of ageing physiology and how this impacts management, from arrival at the door of the emergency department through to surgical intervention and beyond
Reducing Political Violence:Narrative Accounts of Crime and Harm
No full textReducing Political Violence: Narrative, Critique, and Criminology demonstrates the significance of complex narrative representations to the criminological concern with the control, reduction, and prevention of ideologically motivated violence. Drawing on the philosophical tradition of aesthetic education, which began in the Romantic era and diversified into Marxist, pragmatic, analytic, and poststructural strands at the end of the 20th century, the author sets out a compelling theory of the relationships among the aesthetic, the ethical, and the political.Aesthetic education is then applied to a selection of literary and documentary narratives, which range from military memoirs to political polemics, late modern novels, journalistic exposés, and academic biographies, and include the notorious Devil’s Guard (1971), Islamic State propaganda, a Nobel laureate’s novel, and the most comprehensive account of literary theorist Paul De Man’s controversial life. The conclusion is that complex narratives can serve at least four criminological purposes: revealing techniques of neutralisation, performing their own fictionality, and providing both partial and complete solutions to contemporary social problems.Written in an accessible and engaging style, this book is for everyone interested in crimes against humanity, terrorism, insurgency, war, and the question of why healthy societies need good narratives
Exploring the Contrasting Sources of Stress and Job Satisfaction across three different areas of UK Statutory Social Work
No full textThe UK social work workforce is in a state of crisis, characterised by high vacancy and agency rates, staff sickness and turnover. As such, recent years have seen an increased focus on how the job satisfaction of UK social workers can be better understood and improved, as well as how the factors underpinning workforce instability can be addressed. Previous research has largely failed to compare the contrasting sources of stress and job satisfaction amongst UK social workers. This article reports on the qualitative component of a mixed method study. Drawing from focus groups and interviews with 35 UK social workers, the article considers the different contributors to stress and job satisfaction of social workers across three fields of statutory practice. It considers how the perceived public perception of the role; adequacy of resources; and consistency of workspace are impacting upon practitioners’ sense of stress and job satisfaction. Implications include the need to promote opportunities for social workers to explain the features of their role to members of the public; the importance of ensuring adequate resources to meet the individual needs of service users; and the potential negative impact of agile working arrangements
Comment on Karaulic et al. Exploring Novel Applications: Repositioning Clinically Approved Therapies for Medulloblastoma Treatment. Cancers 2025, 17, 3659
Full text linkDog walking landscapes
No full textThe emergence of private dog walking fields in the UK reflects a growing trend in response to changing societal attitudes towards human-canine relationships, urbanisation, diversification in the use of farmland, and the desire for secure, controlled environments for dogs to exercise and socialise. While the concept of spaces for dog recreation has a long history, the formalisation and commercialisation of private dog fields has gained significant traction in the last decade with the number of fields estimated to have increased from a few hundred to around 1,200.This chapter explores how private dog fields represent a shift in anthropocentric landscape design, creating managed landscapes that cater specifically to the needs of dogs and their humans. These landscapes blend natural elements with human-designed features such as secure fencing and ‘poo bins’, fusing natural and artificial elements in the creation of purpose-driven spaces that are actively designed, managed and monetised as commercial ventures. Private dog parks are a form of neoliberal spatial reappropriation whereby areas previously designated for conventional land uses- often farmland- are repurposed to cater for explicitly private activities. At the same time, these spaces can centralise dog agency and offer an opportunity for some, particularly reactive dogs or banned breeds, to go ‘off-lead’, enabling them to make choices, navigate, and interact with greater levels of autonomy than would otherwise be possible in public or common spaces. Accompanied by photographs that document and explore the use of a private dog field over the course of a year, this chapter combines a critical animal studies analysis of private dog fields with an account of their use. The chapter concludes with an exploration of the ways in which private dog fields are reshaping the emotional and experiential aspects of the landscape through the lens of human-canine relationships
Exploring Challenges and Co-developing a Nutritional Resource for Antenatal Care: A Participatory Stakeholder Engagement Study with Midwives and Public Involvement
Full text linkBackgroundIt is important that midwives discuss good nutrition and optimal weight during antenatal appointments, yet this rarely happens. Earlier research suggests that limited time, plus insufficient knowledge and skills are barriers to this.AimTo engage antenatal midwives in stakeholder discussions to explore their perspectives on the design and delivery of a nutrition resource.MethodsThis qualitative study used a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach. Twenty-six midwives (19 community-based; 7 hospital-based) were purposely recruited from four NHS sites in Northwest England. Four stakeholder workshops were co-designed and facilitated by researchers. In Phase 1, midwives reflected on current practice and challenges in delivering diet and weight advice. In Phase 2, they co-developed ideas for practical, acceptable nutrition resources. Data collection included participant-generated artefacts, post-it notes, visual maps, field notes, and verbatim reflections. Data were analysed inductively using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, and reflexivity was maintained throughout, recognising researchers' influence within this participatory design.ResultsTwo master themes were developed: (1) “We Want to Help, But We're Not Trained for This”, highlighting systemic, professional, and emotional barriers to providing support and (2) “Make It Real and Make It Work”, midwives' co-produced recommendations for inclusive tools and training that are realistic, culturally sensitive, and integrated into existing workflows.Discussion and ConclusionMidwives expressed a clear need for improved education and resource support. Despite systemic constraints, they co-produced practical and implementable solutions. Supporting midwives through evidence-based, context-specific tools and training may enhance nutrition conversations in antenatal care and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.Patient or Public ContributionThree culturally diverse Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) representatives were recruited to assist with the validation of the analytical findings. One was a midwife working in antenatal care; the second was a recent service user (a postnatal woman) with an Eastern European background, and the third was a midwife (currently on maternity leave) with a South American background. Commentary from these PPI representatives was used to validate the analysis and support the interpretation of the data. Additionally, they were invited to provide commentary on the draft manuscript and have been included as co-authors
An EEG evoked response protocol to assess brain function alterations post-concussion in professional and amateur rugby clubs
Full text linkConcussion is a prevalent and high-profile injury in contact and collision sports like Rugby. Establishing objective markers of concussion is a critical priority to support safe return-to-play (RTP) decisions. Head injuries alter the spectral characteristics of electroencephalography (EEG) signals, highlighting the need for scalable EEG assessment protocols that can be implemented by Rugby clubs during post-injury evaluations. To integrate an easy to use, scalable EEG post-concussion assessment to test for P300 amplitude change associated with concussion that was accessible to both amateur and professional Rugby clubs. The study utilised an easy to administer EEG protocol using a WAVi headset. P300 amplitude (assessed using an auditory oddball task) were quantified in 156 amateur and professional Rugby players at pre-season (baseline) and end of season (EoS; n = 112) points in three different Rugby clubs in South England. Post-concussion EEG measures were collected as events occurred (n = 23) across the season, within 24 h post-concussion, and at 10-14 days follow-up. The study showed significant changes to P300 amplitude in concussed players with P300 voltage decreasing significantly from baseline to post-concussion (p = 0.008). Changes in P300 μV-Peak from pre-season to End of Season (EoS) differed significantly between concussed and non-concussed players (p = 003). Professional players presented with significantly greater pre-season P300 amplitude in comparison to amateur Rugby players (p = 0.01). The data suggest significant P300 amplitude changes after concussion that are quantifiable and consistent, and which can be captured as part of routine assessment in both professional and amateur Rugby clubs. Findings are discussed in relation to the small sample sizes limiting generalisability of the findings, and protocol implementation within club practice. [Abstract copyright: Crown Copyright © 2026. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Evaluation of an Education Programme for Introducing Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to Neonatal Unit Staff: A Mixed Methods Study
Full text linkBackground: Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a non‐invasive method of body composition, which may be useful in improving fluid management decisions for sick and preterm infants. Aim: To implement and evaluate an education package for the multidisciplinary team who plan to use BIA within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in future research. Study Design: A mixed methods approach was used to evaluate the impact of an education package for the multidisciplinary team (MDT) working in the NICU regarding the use of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Knowledge acquisition was assessed and feedback sought regarding the content, format and delivery of the teaching. Results: There was a significant improvement in the median knowledge scores from 2.5 to 4/5 (p = < 0.001) after the education programme, with staff reporting a positive learning experience. Conclusion: This neonatal education package improved knowledge and was evaluated positively and could be used by other centres wishing to implement this technology. Relevance to Clinical Practice: This education package will be useful for other NICUs wanting to implement this new technology into research or clinical practice. This model of education could be altered to facilitate the introduction of any new piece of technology into any intensive care setting
Sequential mixed methods study: exploring the adoption, implementation and evaluation of contact centre health initiatives.
Full text linkPurpose Contact centre advisors face significant health risks due to poor working conditions. Workplace health initiatives can improve advisor wellbeing, yet the factors influencing their adoption, implementation and evaluation remain underresearched. This two-phased mixed methods study explored UK contact centre health and wellbeing decision-makers’ perspectives on these processes. Methodology Phase one involved interviews with 11 decision-makers to explore factors influencing health initiative adoption and implementation and evaluation methods and outcomes considered important. Interviews were inductively coded using reflexive thematic analysis and mapped to behaviour change theory (COM-B and TDF). Phase two surveyed 38 decision-makers to assess consensus on phase one findings. Findings Key factors influencing adoption included leadership buy-in, listening to advisors, money and resource availability, and the perceived need to support employees. Effective implementation relied on manager and team leader buy-in, time for leaders to prioritise initiatives, experienced leadership, and adaptability to employee needs. Centres employed diverse evaluation methods and considered multiple outcomes. Originality These findings provide novel insights to guide the effective adoption, implementation and evaluation of workplace health initiatives in contact centres, ultimately supporting advisor wellbeing.<br/