This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of smoking and secondhand smoking (SHS) among pregnant women in Darkhan-Uul Province, Mongolia, using urinary cotinine (UC) levels, and clarified the factors related to SHS exposure. It targeted pregnant women who underwent antenatal health check-ups from November 2015 to January 2016. Self-administered questionnaires and urine samples were used to collect data. Using UC levels as the criterion, it was found that the prevalence of smokers (>100 ng/ml) among 493 pregnant women was 11.8%, while SHS exposure (≥5 ng/ml) among nonsmokers was 44.8%. Older and highly educated women had lower odds of SHS exposure (p = 0.006 and 0.002, respectively). Furthermore, nonsmoking pregnant women from homes where smoking was permitted had higher odds of SHS exposure compared to women from homes where smoking was not permitted. These results suggest that community guidance programs, such as home smoking cessation that include families, are necessary.

Purpose: The effects of breastfeeding on postpartum depression symptoms and stress using physiological measures require investigation. Background: Breastfeeding suppresses the secretion of cortisol. Oxytocin levels correlate negatively with symptoms of postpartum depression. Aim: To investigate the effects of breastfeeding on stress and postpartum depression. Methods: We examined 79 breastfeeding women using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, and measured the salivary cortisol levels before and after breastfeeding. Findings: There was a negative correlation between the duration of suckling and changes in salivary cortisol levels following breastfeeding (rs = −0.333, p < 0.05). Salivary cortisol levels immediately following breastfeeding were significantly lower compared to mothers who used mixed feeding methods (p < 0.001). Breastfeeding mothers had lower perceived stress than mothers using mixed feeding methods (β = −0.260, p < 0.05). There was no association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression; however, there was an association between postpartum depression and perceived stress (β = 0.622, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Salivary cortisol levels significantly decreased following breastfeeding, with longer suckling times correlating with lower cortisol levels. Breastfeeding reduced stress and increased breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Objectives: The proportions of male midwives as well as regulations and training plans targeting male midwives were investigated.Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 109 United Nations member countries where midwifery associations had opened their e-mail addresses. Respondents were persons in charge of midwifery education or policy recommended by midwifery associations, researchers, or acquaintances. The questionnaire inquired about the number of midwives and obstetrician-gynecologists by gender in the country, as well as regulations and training plans relevant to male ones. For those countries that either failed to respond or provided insufficient information, supplemental Internet searches were conducted.Results: Data from 77 countries were analyzed (57 countries returned the questionnaires, and data on another 20 were obtained through Internet searches). Of the 19 countries without male midwives, five did not allow men to become midwives. In 37 countries with male midwives whose proportion data were available, the median proportion was 0.63%. Respondents in 13 countries described regulations respecting women who unwanted care by male midwives and in other two explained training plans for male midwives considering their specific characteristics.Conclusion: The proportion of male midwives is small, and regulations and training plans for male midwives varied depending on social content in countries.

Objective: This study investigated the use of a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook, and related factors, in Mongolia. Design: Population-based cross-sectional study. Setting: Bulgan Province, Mongolia. Method: MCH handbook use was determined by examining whether participants had read it or recorded their health-related information into it. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to reveal factors related to MCH handbook utilisation. Results: Of the 716 participants, 631 (88.1%) read the MCH handbook and 428 (59.8%) recorded their health-related information in it. Mothers with middle or high educational attainment were more likely to have read it than were those with low educational attainment (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.41–4.50; AOR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.29–7.93, respectively). Literate women and those who had been taught to use the handbook were more likely to read it (AOR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.68–6.05; AOR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.31–4.46, respectively). Mothers with a middle or very high wealth index were more likely to have read it than were those with a very low index. Mothers with middle or high educational attainment were more likely to make records in it than were those with low attainment. Mothers who were taught to use the handbook were more likely to make records in it, while those who had children with chronic diseases were less likely to do so. Conclusion: Women’s literacy levels, educational attainment, economic status and effective explanation of its usage must be considered in order to enhance the handbook’s effectiveness.

This study aimed to compare knowledge about smoking, including passive smoking, and urinary cotinine (UC) levels in pregnant women and their partners in Mongolia. The study was conducted between November 2015 and January 2016 in Darkhan-Uul Province, Mongolia. Pregnant women with less than 20 weeks’ gestation were recruited, and their partners were also invited to participate. Self-administered questionnaires and urine samples were used to collect data. Knowledge about smoking including passive smoking was measured using 14 questions. Data were analyzed using a Student’s t-test, a chi-squared test, a one-way analysis of variance, and the Tukey– Kramer method for post-hoc analysis. Correlations were measured by computing Pearson’s r or Spearman’s ρ. A total of 508 pregnant women and 227 partners participated in this study; of these, 221 couples’ data were analyzed. Pregnant women’s scores on knowledge about smoking and passive smoking were significantly higher than those of their partners (9.4 ± 2.9 and 8.7 ± 3.1, respectively; p = 0.017). Pregnant women’s and their partners’ scores were slightly correlated (r = 0.163, p = 0.015). Pregnant women’s and their partners’ UC levels were significantly correlated (ρ = 0.250, p < 0.001). This study is the first to examine knowledge about smoking and passive smoking and UC levels among pregnant women and their partners in Mongolia. Because pregnant women’s and their partners’ scores and UC levels were positively correlated, health education on the harm caused by smoking and passive smoking should be provided to both pregnant women and their partners.