UK Wedding News
24/07/2014
The research looked to assess public acceptance of financial incentives to encourage healthy lifestyle choices, and it was revealed that both men and women, aged 44 or younger, are more likely to agree with financial incentives that encourage breastfeeding. They were also in support of incentives to stop smoking during pregnancy, compared to those aged 65 or over.
The findings, which have been published in BMJ Open, also found that those with higher qualifications, or from non-white ethnic groups, and men, were more likely to support the incentives.
Previous research has suggested that financial incentives can help women to make changes and adopt healthy lifestyles during pregnancy.
This study looked specifically at existing research to see what made it easier for women to continue breastfeeding and to stop smoking. It created a list of the seven most promising types of incentives, and then members of the public were asked for their opinions.
Overall, just under half of those surveyed agreed with one, or more, types of incentives, with a free breast pump found to be the most popular.
Professor Pat Hoddinott, Lead Researcher, from the University of Stirling's Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional Research Unit, explained: "Addressing health inequalities is a government priority so the implications of our research for efforts to reduce this inequity are important.
"Our findings are a concern because the highest levels of smoking during pregnancy and the lowest rates of breastfeeding are amongst the less educated and white British women – two of the groups showing lower levels of support for incentives.
"If incentives are offered to women and they don't work, women can feel very demoralised, particularly as every mother sets out to do the best for her baby. Some women may need other forms of support in addition to the incentive because healthy lifestyle choices can be difficult to maintain."
Dr Heather Morgan, co-author, of the University of Aberdeen, said: "There are many reasons why some women continue to smoke in pregnancy and do not breastfeed. External influences – such as family and friends, work and the provision of additional support by health services – can all influence women's ability to make these lifestyle changes."
Dr Gill Thomson, a member of the research team from the University of Central Lancashire, added: "Evidence suggests incentives to promote behaviour change can be successful, because they can facilitate better relationships between recipients and care providers and can reassure people of their worthiness to receive help.
"However, this study tells us there are still challenges ahead in promoting the benefits to certain groups, particularly those who dislike pressure to behave in the way that the health service would like them to."
The study concluded that more research is needed to evaluate the reach of proposed incentives for mothers and the impact on health inequalities and ethnic groups before they are implemented across the UK. In different parts of the UK, pilot schemes have offered pregnant women and new mothers a number of incentives, such as shopping vouchers, in an effort to encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles.
(JP/IT)
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Younger Generations Support Breastfeeding Incentives
A new study by the University of Stirling has found that the younger generations are supportive of incentives to breastfeed and quit smoking.The research looked to assess public acceptance of financial incentives to encourage healthy lifestyle choices, and it was revealed that both men and women, aged 44 or younger, are more likely to agree with financial incentives that encourage breastfeeding. They were also in support of incentives to stop smoking during pregnancy, compared to those aged 65 or over.
The findings, which have been published in BMJ Open, also found that those with higher qualifications, or from non-white ethnic groups, and men, were more likely to support the incentives.
Previous research has suggested that financial incentives can help women to make changes and adopt healthy lifestyles during pregnancy.
This study looked specifically at existing research to see what made it easier for women to continue breastfeeding and to stop smoking. It created a list of the seven most promising types of incentives, and then members of the public were asked for their opinions.
Overall, just under half of those surveyed agreed with one, or more, types of incentives, with a free breast pump found to be the most popular.
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Professor Pat Hoddinott, Lead Researcher, from the University of Stirling's Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional Research Unit, explained: "Addressing health inequalities is a government priority so the implications of our research for efforts to reduce this inequity are important.
"Our findings are a concern because the highest levels of smoking during pregnancy and the lowest rates of breastfeeding are amongst the less educated and white British women – two of the groups showing lower levels of support for incentives.
"If incentives are offered to women and they don't work, women can feel very demoralised, particularly as every mother sets out to do the best for her baby. Some women may need other forms of support in addition to the incentive because healthy lifestyle choices can be difficult to maintain."
Dr Heather Morgan, co-author, of the University of Aberdeen, said: "There are many reasons why some women continue to smoke in pregnancy and do not breastfeed. External influences – such as family and friends, work and the provision of additional support by health services – can all influence women's ability to make these lifestyle changes."
Dr Gill Thomson, a member of the research team from the University of Central Lancashire, added: "Evidence suggests incentives to promote behaviour change can be successful, because they can facilitate better relationships between recipients and care providers and can reassure people of their worthiness to receive help.
"However, this study tells us there are still challenges ahead in promoting the benefits to certain groups, particularly those who dislike pressure to behave in the way that the health service would like them to."
The study concluded that more research is needed to evaluate the reach of proposed incentives for mothers and the impact on health inequalities and ethnic groups before they are implemented across the UK. In different parts of the UK, pilot schemes have offered pregnant women and new mothers a number of incentives, such as shopping vouchers, in an effort to encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles.
(JP/IT)
Top stories
20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant
Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance
Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth
Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend
Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life
Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle
Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans
Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids
Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters
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