Dr Shahla Meedya

Associate Professor Shahla Meedya is a research-active member at the Australian Catholic University. She is an Associate Editor of Women and Birth Journal and has more than 60 publications with 1639 citations. Her research activities are focused on the following areas:

Co-designing maternal educational resources for women and their families (digital and non-digital resources: e.g. The Milky Way program, App and Web site), women&rsquos health Literacy, birth experience and its influence on pregnancy interval planning, behaviour change models for women with high-risk pregnancies (Diabetes). Shahla is passionate about giving voice for women with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds for their care during childbearing period. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ImKysaUAAAAJ&hl=en

Shahla has mentored many ECRs, completed supervision for HDRs including PhD students, Masters, and honours students with First Class Honours grades. Currently, she supervises five PhD students, and her methodology expertise sits with quantitative, mixed method and co-design studies.

Shahla led a research team at the University of Wollongong (UOW) to develop the Milky Way Breastfeeding app using the Persuasive System Design model. The app is available in the App store and Google play and has been used in Illawarra and Shoalhaven Local Health District as a routine breastfeeding educational resource.

Shahla is the chair for Midwifery Engaged Research, Innovation and Translation (MERIT) Group, Discipline Representative for Midwifery in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine Research and Research Training Committee (RRTC) and a member of Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE). Shahla was the leader of Research on Pregnancy and Early Infancy, Head of Postgraduate Studies, and Honours Coordinator in the school of Nursing at the University of Wollongong. She has worked as an executive member of UOW Human Ethics Committee for more than three years reviewing all the high risk and low risk research applications across all disciplines.

PUBLICATIONS 

 ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4022-3324                                                                                                                                                                 

1.     Bowdler S, Nilsen, W, Moroney T, Meedya S, What knowledge of breastfeeding do nursing students hold and what are the factors influencing this knowledge: An integrative literature review, Nurse Education in Practice, 2022 (in press)
2. Almohanna AAS, Win KT, Vlahu-Gjorgievska E, Meedya S. Design and content validation of an instrument measuring user perception of the persuasive design principles in a breastfeeding mHealth app: A modified Delphi study. International Journal of Medical Informatics. 2022164.
3. Cummins L, Meedya S, Wilson V. Factors that positively influence in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding among women with gestational diabetes: An integrative review. Women and Birth. 202235(1):3-10.
4. Deys L, Wilson V, Meedya S. What are women's experiences of immediate skin-to-skin contact at caesarean section birth? An integrative literature review. Midwifery. 2021101.
5. Meedya S, Win K, Yeatman H, Fahy K, Walton K, Burgess L, et al. Developing and testing a mobile application for breastfeeding support: The Milky Way application. Women and Birth. 202134(2):e196-e203.
6. Prokop N, Meedya S, Sim J. Integrative Review of the Experiences of Registered Nurses Who Support Breastfeeding Women. JOGNN J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 202150(3):266-74.
7. Prokop N, Sim J, Meedya S. A qualitative descriptive study of new graduate nurses&rsquo experiences supporting breastfeeding women in neonatal settings. Nurse Education in Practice. 202155.
8. Matriano MG, Ivers R, Meedya S. Factors that influence women's decision on infant feeding: An integrative review. Women and Birth. 2021.
9. Hopkins M, Meedya S, Ivers R, Charlton K. Review of online breastfeeding information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Women and Birth. 202134(4):309-15.
10. Almohanna AA, Win KT, Meedya S. Effectiveness of internet-based electronic technology interventions on breastfeeding outcomes: Systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 202022(5).
11. Chan A, Chang HCR, Alananzeh I, Meedya S, Green H, Yan Z, et al. A systematic review: Sexual well-being and perceived barriers to seeking professional help among Chinese adults living with cancer. European Journal of Cancer Care. 202130(6)
12. Alananzeh I, Green H, Meedya S, Chan A, Chang HC, Yan Z, et al. Sexual activity and cancer: A systematic review of prevalence, predictors and information needs among female Arab cancer survivors. European Journal of Cancer Care. 2022.
13. Matvienko-Sikar K, Meedya S, Ravaldi C. Perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women and Birth. 202033(4):309-10.

14. Meedya S, Moroney T, Nielsen W, Najafi Bokat I. Digital explanations and nursing students&rsquo perception of learning science. Nurse Education in Practice. 201941.

15. Stulz V, Meedya S, Sweet L. Editorial: The role of editors and reviewers. Women and Birth. 201932(3):193-4.
16. Meedya S, Sheikh MK, Win KT, Halcomb E. Evaluation of breastfeeding mobile health applications based on the persuasive system design model. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics) 2019. p. 189-201.
17. Byrne MK, Miellet S, McGlinn A, Fish J, Meedya S, Reynolds N, et al. The drivers of antibiotic use and misuse: The development and investigation of a theory driven community measure. BMC Public Health. 201919(1).
18. Kuonanoja L, Meedya S, Win KT, Oinas-Kukkonen H, editors. Ethical evaluation of a value sensitive persuasive system: Case Milky Way. Proceedings of the 22nd Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems - Opportunities and Challenges for the Digitized Society: Are We Ready?, PACIS 2018 2018.
19. Meedya S, Fernandez R, Fahy K. Effect of educational and support interventions on long-term breastfeeding rates in primiparous women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JBI database of systematic reviews and implementation reports. 201715(9):2307-32.
20. Meedya S, Fernandez R, Fahy K. Effect of educational and support interventions to increase long-term breastfeeding rates in primiparous women: A systematic review protocol. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports. 201715(3):594-602.
21. Halcomb E, Stephens M, Smyth E, Meedya S, Tillott S. The health and health preparation of long-term Australian travellers. Australian Journal of Primary Health. 201723(4):386-90.
22. Brett L, Stapley P, Meedya S, Traynor V. Effect of physical exercise on physical performance and fall incidents of individuals living with dementia in nursing homes: a randomized controlled trial. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 202137(1):38-51.
23. Brett L, Traynor V, Meedya S, Stapley P. Impressions of using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory as an outcome measure: Lessons learnt for future clinical researchers (innovative practice). Dementia. 202019(2):464-71.
24. Brett L, Traynor V, Stapley P, Meedya S. Exercise and dementia in nursing homes: Views of staff and family carers. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. 201826(1):89-96.
25. Brett L, Stapley P, Meedya S, Traynor V. Sufficient exercise for Australians living with dementia in residential aged care facilities is lacking: an exploration of policy incoherence. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 201842(5):427-9.
26. Brett L, Traynor V, Stapley P, Meedya S. Acceptability of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory in an Australian residential aged care facility. Collegian. 201724(6):579-84.
27. Brett L, Traynor V, Stapley P, Meedya S. Effects and feasibility of an exercise intervention for individuals living with dementia in nursing homes: Study protocol. International Psychogeriatrics. 201729(9):1565-77.

Publications with International HDR Students

28. Hassanzadeh R, Abbas-Alizadeh F, Meedya S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M. Comparison of childbirth experiences and postpartum depression among primiparous women based on their attendance in childbirth preparation classes. Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine. 202235(18):3612-9.
29. Hajizadeh K, Vaezi M, Meedya S, Charandabi SMA, Mirghafourvand M. Designing a respectful maternity care guideline: a multiphase study. Reproductive Health. 202219(1).
30. Osouli Tabrizi S, Meedya S, Ghassab-Abdollahia N, Ghorbani Z, Jahangiry L, Mirghafourvand M. The effect of the herbal medicine on severity of cyclic mastalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. 2021.
31. Hassanzadeh R, Abbas-Alizadeh F, Meedya S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M. Perceptions of primiparous women about the effect of childbirth preparation classes on their childbirth experience: A qualitative study. Midwifery. 2021103.
32. Hassanzadeh R, Abbas-Alizadeh F, Meedya S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M. Primiparous women's knowledge and satisfaction based on their attendance at childbirth preparation classes. Nursing Open. 20218(5):2558-66.
33. Hadian T, Moosavi S, Meedya S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mohammadi E, Mirghafourvand M. Relationship of health practices with depression and maternal-fetal attachment in adolescent pregnant women: A prospective study. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 202135(5):465-71.
34. Hajizadeh K, Asghari Jafarabadi M, Vaezi M, Meedya S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M. The psychometric properties of the respectful maternity care (RMC) for an Iranian population. BMC Health Services Research. 202020(1).
35. Hassanzadeh R, Abbas-Alizadeh F, Meedya S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M. Fear of childbirth, anxiety and depression in three groups of primiparous pregnant women not attending, irregularly attending and regularly attending childbirth preparation classes. BMC Women's Health. 202020(1).
36. Hassanzadeh R, Asghari Jafarabadi M, Abbas-Alizadeh F, Meedya S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M. Psychometric properties of satisfaction with the childbirth education class questionnaire for Iranian population. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 202020(1)
37. Hajizadeh K, Vaezi M, Meedya S, Mohammad Alizadeh Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M. Prevalence and predictors of perceived disrespectful maternity care in postpartum Iranian women: A cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 202020(1).
38. Hajizadeh K, Vaezi M, Meedya S, Mohammad Alizadeh Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M. Respectful maternity care and its related factors in maternal units of public and private hospitals in Tabriz: A sequential explanatory mixed method study protocol. Reproductive Health. 202017(1).
39. Hajizadeh K, Vaezi M, Meedya S, Mohammad Alizadeh Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M. Respectful maternity care and its relationship with childbirth experience in Iranian women: A prospective cohort study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 202020(1).
40. Ghanbari-Homaie S, Meedya S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Jafarabadi MA, Mohammadi E, Mirghafourvand M. Recommendations for improving primiparous women&rsquos childbirth experience: results from a multiphase study in Iran. Reproductive Health. 202118(1).
41. Ghanbari-Homayi S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-charandabi S, Meedya S, Jafarabadi MA, Mohammadi E, Mirghafourvand M. The impact of first childbirth experience on women&rsquos attitude towards having another child and subsequent vaginal birth. Current Women's Health Reviews. 202117(3):244-50.
42. Ghanbari-Homayi S, Hasani S, Meedya S, Asghari Jafarabadi M, Mirghafourvand M. Nonpharmacological approaches to improve women&rsquos childbirth experiences: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine. 202134(3):479-91.
43. Ghanbari-Homayi S, Fardiazar Z, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Meedya S, Jafarabadi MA, Mohammadi E, et al. Skin-to-skin contact, early initiation of breastfeeding and childbirth experience in first time mothers: a cross sectional study. Journal of Neonatal Nursing. 202026(2):115-9.
44. Ghanbari-Homayi S, Fardiazar Z, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Asghari Jafarabadi M, Mohamadi E, Meedya S, et al. Developing of a new guideline for improving birth experiences among Iranian women: A mixed method study protocol. Reproductive Health. 202017(1).
45. Hadian T, Mousavi S, Meedya S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mohammadi E, Mirghafourvand M. Adolescent pregnant women's health practices and their impact on maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes: A mixed method study protocol. Reproductive Health. 201916(1).
46. Hassanzadeh R, Abbas-Alizadeh F, Meedya S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M. Assessment of childbirth preparation classes: A parallel convergent mixed study. Reproductive Health. 201916(1).
47. Ghanbari-Homayi S, Dencker A, Fardiazar Z, Jafarabadi MA, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Meedya S, et al. Validation of the Iranian version of the childbirth experience questionnaire 2.0. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 201919(1).
48. Ghanbari-Homayi S, Fardiazar Z, Meedya S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Asghari-Jafarabadi M, Mohammadi E, et al. Predictors of traumatic birth experience among a group of Iranian primipara women: A cross sectional study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 201919(1).
49. Bagherinia M, Meedya S, Mirghafourvand M. Association between maternal sense of competence and self-efficacy in primiparouswomen during postpartum period. Shiraz E Medical Journal. 201819(3).
50. Meedya S, Fahy K, Parratt JA. The Milky Way educational and support programme: Structure, content and strategies. Women and Birth. 201629(4):388-93.
51. Meedya S, Fahy K, Parratt J, Yoxall J. Supporting women to achieve breastfeeding to six months postpartum - The theoretical foundations of a successful program. Women and Birth. 201528(4):265-71.
52. Meedya S, Fahy K, Yoxall J, Parratt J. Increasing breastfeeding rates to six months among nulliparous women: A quasi-experimental study. Midwifery. 201430(3):e137-e44.
53. Meedya S, Fahy K, Kable A. Factors that positively influence breastfeeding duration to 6 months: A literature review. Women and Birth. 201023(4):135-45.

Associate Professor Shahla Meedya is a research-active member at the Australian Catholic University. She is an Associate Editor of Women and Birth Journal and has more than 60 publications with 1639 citations. Her research activities are focused on the following areas:

Co-designing maternal educational resources for women and their families (digital and non-digital resources: e.g. The Milky Way program, App and Web site), women&rsquos health Literacy, birth experience and its influence on pregnancy interval planning, behaviour change models for women with high-risk pregnancies (Diabetes). Shahla is passionate about giving voice for women with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds for their care during childbearing period. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ImKysaUAAAAJ&hl=en

Shahla has mentored many ECRs, completed supervision for HDRs including PhD students, Masters, and honours students with First Class Honours grades. Currently, she supervises five PhD students, and her methodology expertise sits with quantitative, mixed method and co-design studies.

Shahla led a research team at the University of Wollongong (UOW) to develop the Milky Way Breastfeeding app using the Persuasive System Design model. The app is available in the App store and Google play and has been used in Illawarra and Shoalhaven Local Health District as a routine breastfeeding educational resource.

Shahla is the chair for Midwifery Engaged Research, Innovation and Translation (MERIT) Group, Discipline Representative for Midwifery in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine Research and Research Training Committee (RRTC) and a member of Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE). Shahla was the leader of Research on Pregnancy and Early Infancy, Head of Postgraduate Studies, and Honours Coordinator in the school of Nursing at the University of Wollongong. She has worked as an executive member of UOW Human Ethics Committee for more than three years reviewing all the high risk and low risk research applications across all disciplines.