Background: Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a common complication experienced by stroke survivors. These individuals often confront psychological challenges such as depression and anxiety, along with significant obstacles like reduced quality of life (QoL) and limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs). Such challenges can profoundly affect their overall recovery and well-being. Despite its prevalence, the associated factors contributing to PSF remain poorly understood. This study aims to primarily investigate these associated factors, while also examining the interrelationships among PSF, depression level, QoL, and ADLs, highlighting the need for a better understanding of these complex interactions. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 271 stroke survivors and was conducted at the Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China, from September 2023 to January 2024. Participants independently completed the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Short Version of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SV-SS-QoL) as part of a convenience sampling method, while medical professionals assessed the Barthel Index (BI) using the same sampling framework. Multivariable linear regression analyses were employed to determine the factors associated with the persistence of PSF. Results: The mean FSS score was 35.04 ± 11.60, while the average score for the SV-SS-QoL was 34.28 ± 9.51, and the BI score averaged 77.79 ± 25.90. Approximately 45.8% of participants (n = 124) experienced PSF. The mean score on the PHQ-9 was 7.63 ± 6.13. A significant negative correlation was identified between fatigue and both QoL and ADLs (P < 0.01). Furthermore, multiple linear regression analyses revealed that age, gender, income level, depression level, QoL, and ADLs were associated factors of fatigue severity among stroke survivors, all showing statistically significant differences (P < 0.01). Conclusion: This study emphasizes the critical factors associated with PSF and highlights the necessity of developing targeted interventions, such as depression management, QoL enhancement, and ADLs restoration, to alleviate fatigue in stroke survivors. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of these interventions to optimize rehabilitation outcomes and improve survivors’ overall recovery and well-being.

Background: First-time mothers may experience postnatal depression and a lack of social support, affecting their life satisfaction. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the application of guided antenatal education support programs to deal with such issues.Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of guided antenatal education support programs on postnatal depression, social support, and life satisfaction among first-time mothers.Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved a total of 72 first-time mothers. Convenience sampling was applied for participant selection, and no randomization was used. The participants were equally divided into the intervention group and the control group. A self-administrated questionnaire was used for data collection during the antenatal period (pretest) and six weeks postpartum (posttest). The risk of postnatal depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). In addition, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used to assess social support, and life satisfaction, respectively. The intervention group received a guided antenatal education support program, consisting of antenatal education sessions plus an extra 15-minute discussion and a support guidebook. The data were analyzed using a paired t-test and an independent t-test.Results: There was a significant reduction in the risk of postnatal depression score in the intervention group (p<0.05) after receiving the guided antenatal education compared to the control group. Also, there was a significant increment of life satisfaction score (p<0.05) and social support score (p<0.05) after receiving guided antenatal education in the intervention group.Conclusion: The guided antenatal education support is beneficial to reduce postnatal depression and increase life satisfaction and social support. Nurses and midwives should provide an integration of psychoeducation for first-time mothers, especially during pregnancy.

Background: Fatigue following a stroke, known as post-stroke fatigue (PSF), is a frequent complication experienced by individuals recovering from a stroke, with its incidence steadily increasing over time. The long-term presence of PSF significantly hinders the rehabilitation process and quality of life for these individuals. However, the most effective intervention strategies for PSF remain unclear. Therefore, it is crucial to implement appropriate intervention strategies at an early stage to prevent and manage PSF, thereby mitigating its negative impacts and promoting recovery in stroke survivors. Objective: This scoping review aimed to explore and chart the interventions available for managing post-stroke fatigue in individuals recovering from stroke, providing healthcare professionals with evidence to guide the development of optimal treatments. Design: A scoping review. Data Sources: This review conducted a systematic search across six databases¾PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus and CINAHL (via EBSCO), and CNKI, for articles published from 10 January 2012 to early May 2024. Review Methods: This review followed the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. Studies were selected based on the PCC framework, focusing on specific participants, concepts, and contexts. Exclusion criteria included ongoing studies without results, articles without full text, posters, reviews, and protocols. Tables and narrative descriptions were used to present relevant information on the interventions and their outcomes during the review process. Results: Twenty-seven studies were included, categorizing interventions for post-stroke fatigue into ten types: pharmacological treatments, physical activity, physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, respiratory training, music therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, health education management, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and environmental enrichment. Conclusion: The interventions for post-stroke fatigue have demonstrated positive effects in alleviating fatigue symptoms among stroke survivors. However, some approaches have limitations, and the most effective treatment strategy remains unclear. The multidisciplinary collaboration between nurses and healthcare professionals plays a critical role in managing post-stroke fatigue by providing patients with education on fatigue prevention and treatment, along with personalized care plans, including one-on-one or group interventions. Future research should focus on increasing sample sizes and conducting multicenter trials to identify the most effective intervention strategies for managing post-stroke fatigue.

Background: Every pregnancy faces unpredictable complications and risks associated with the risk of maternal morbidity, mortality, and neonatal complications. The aim of the study is to determine birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) among antenatal women and their determinants.Methods: The involved a total of 100 pregnant women at a public university hospital in Kelantan state, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection.Results: A total of 47.0% of participants were well prepared for their birth and its complications. There were no associations between being well prepared for birth and its complications with parity, gestational age, the total number of antenatal visits, or other sociodemographic data.Conclusion: BPCR among women were still low among women in Kelantan. Knowledge of the danger signs during pregnancy, labor, and the postnatal period among pregnant women is important to reduce maternal mortality.

This retrospective study examined the associations between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG), and perinatal outcomes among women with singleton pregnancies delivering at a general hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand. Secondary data were retrieved from the HosXP electronic medical database and delivery records. Of 4659 eligible delivery records, 4051 women met the study criteria and were included in the analysis. Multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The incidences of preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, and below-optimal head circumference (HC) were 6.99%, 18.22%, and 42.85%, respectively. Maternal underweight before pregnancy was significantly associated with increased odds of preterm birth (aOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.21–2.12), SGA (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.44–2.24), and below-optimal HC (aOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.18–1.76). Inadequate GWG was also associated with higher odds of SGA (aOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.38–2.00) and below-optimal HC (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.11–1.49). Conversely, maternal overweight/obesity and excessive GWG were associated with lower odds of SGA and below-optimal HC. These findings indicate that pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG were independently associated with adverse perinatal outcomes among Thai women with singleton pregnancies and may provide context-specific evidence to support maternal nutritional assessment and gestational weight monitoring during antenatal care.

Introduction: Cancer patients often experience psychological distress that accompanies their physical symptoms; consequently, heightened spiritual needs may reflect an important coping response. In Chinese cultural settings, the manifestation of spirituality is significantly different from that suggested by Western paradigms, with greater emphasis on non-religious aspects of spirituality, including harmony between people and inner peace, than on traditional religious beliefs. Objective: The current study aims to assess the spiritual needs of Chinese cancer patients in the hospital and to define sociodemographic, psychological, and clinical variables correlated with these needs using Chinese-validated instruments. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and April 2025, involving 189 cancer patients who presented to Shanxi Bethune Hospital in China. Participants were requested to complete the Chinese version of the 27-item Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ-Ch-27), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression. Results: Participants reported moderate spiritual needs, with an average SpNQ-Ch-27 overall score of 37.23 (standard deviation = 16.91). The highest scores were obtained in the domains of active giving and inner peace, and the lowest in the religious domains, indicating a prevalence of a non-religious spiritual orientation. The predictors of spiritual needs identified using multivariate regression included a time since diagnosis of <6 months (β = 0.52, p<0.001), greater severity of depressive symptoms (β = 0.21, p=0.002), rural residence (β = 0.19, p=0.003), and low household income <3,000 RMB/month), which also showed a significant negative association (β = −0.14, p=0.029). The final model explained 78.9% of the variance in spiritual-needs scores. Conclusion: Recently diagnosed cancer patients demonstrate the highest spiritual needs, with depression and socioeconomic vulnerability serving as additional risk factors. Chinese patients prioritize relational and existential spiritual dimensions over religious practices.