https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/447 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 02:02:20 GMT 2026-03-06T02:02:20Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/108173 Title: Adolescent pregnancy and early parenting Authors: Borg Xuereb, Christian; Borg Xuereb, Rita; Jomeen, Julie Abstract: Adolescent pregnancy and parenting are considered a worldwide public health and social challenge (WHO 2020). Adolescents (boys and girls, aged 10–19 years) constitute approximately 18% (1.25 billion) of the world population with variations between regions ranging from 12% in high-income countries to 23% in low-income countries (Vogel et al. 2015; UNFPA 2021). Although adolescent pregnancies and births have declined in the past three decades globally, approximately 12 million girls (15–19 years) still give birth each year, that is, an estimated 11% of all global births; 95% of these births occur in low- and middle-income countries (WHO 2020; UNFPA 2021). Maternal settings are considered as the second leading cause of mortality among adolescent pregnancies (UNFPA 2021). Additionally, according to Neal et al. (2012), about 2.5 million births occur to girls under 16 years of age in low-income countries and it is this age group (12–15 years) that are exposed to the highest health risk (Neal et al. 2012). The chapter reviews adolescent pregnancy and its effects on health, social and environmental challenges; consequences of early parenting; transition to parenthood; supporting of adolescent parents; and health professionals’ contribution to preventing adolescent pregnancies. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/108173 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/108122 Title: Ambiguous loss in dementia care Abstract: The lived experience of ageing brings with it a multitude of achievements and gratifications but also losses. Losses can vary: they can be physical, emotional, social and spiritual losses. Losses can be explicit and easy to recognise, or implicit, vague and ambiguous, such as the losses associated with dementia. Ambiguous loss was pioneered by psychotherapist Pauline Boss (2001), who outlined two types of ambiguous losses. The first type of ambiguous loss occurs when someone is psychologically present but physically absent. Examples include the loss of physical contact due to immigration, kidnapping or missing bodies during war, or someone who is lost and never found. [Excerpt] Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/108122 2022-10-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/108121 Title: ’Tis the season to be jolly… not necessarily Abstract: As we get older, holiday festivities may sometimes no longer seem so cheerful. What used to be joyous occasions can take on new meanings as life takes unexpected turns throughout our life. There is the expectation we need to be exceptionally happy this time of the year, but that expectation can even cause people of any age to experience sadness or even depression. This is especially so among some older adults and/or their family caregivers. [Excerpt] Thu, 01 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/108121 2022-12-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/108111 Title: The unsung heroes : celebrating dementia care through the national dementia awards Abstract: Dementia is an umbrella term for several symptoms that are characterised by a decline in mental ability, which becomes severe enough to influence and interfere with a person’s daily living. These appear on a continuum, ranging from mild to severe dementia. These symptoms are caused by a number of mental illnesses, the most common of which is dementia of the Alzheimer’s type, also known as Alzheimer’s Disease, which accounts for 60 to 80 per cent of the known cases. Vascular dementia, which commonly occurs after a stroke, is the second most common type. Unfortunately, most of these conditions are progressive and a cure is still not available for the most common forms of dementia. [Excerpt] Mon, 01 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/108111 2019-07-01T00:00:00Z