Quantitative analysis (PaGES Index)
Quantitative analyses were confined to the overarching themes given the numbers in this pilot study. The numbers citing each theme antenatally and/or postnatally are summarised as frequency counts and proportions (with 95% confidence intervals [CI]). Differences in the antenatal / postnatal counts were evaluated using the McNemar test for paired frequency counts.As many mothers cited more than one important issue within the same theme, the total frequency with which each theme was cited antenatally and postnatally is summarised, along with the total numbers of times (a) no beans and (b) one or more beans were allocated to a particular comment. The percentage of comments attracting one or more beans is reported along with the difference in this percentage between the two assessment times (with 95% CI).The total numbers of beans allocated to each theme antenatally and postnatally are reported as means and standard deviations (SD). The differences between the two assessment times are summarised as rate ratios (with 95% CI), estimated using generalised linear models assuming a Poisson family and logarithmic link, and robust standard errors to adjust for over-dispersion and clustering of scores within subjects. Separate analyses were conducted using all counts (zero and non-zero) and using just the non-zero counts.Satisfaction scores are summarised using means and SD. The relationships between these scores and the numbers of beans allocated antenatally and postnatally for each theme, as well as the differences in bean allocations at the two times (postnatal minus antenatal), were estimated using generalised linear models assuming a Normal (Gaussian) family and identity link, and with robust standard errors to adjust for clustering of observations within subjects. Again, separate analyses were conducted using all counts (zero and non-zero) and using just the non-zero counts.Finally, the sensitivity of the satisfaction scale to detect differences between sub-groups was explored. A hybrid measure, calculated as ‘(satisfaction score + 1) * bean allocation’ was also explored; since this measure was very positively skewed, it was transformed to natural logarithms for analysis. These are exploratory analyses given the relatively small numbers in this pilot study. The scores from both measures were reported as means and SD. Differences between groups were evaluated using generalised linear models assuming a Gaussian family and identity link.