• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.332-341
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• 2015

Purpose: Advanced aged pregnancy may be related with health problems so that more aggressive health care is necessary for these women. This study aimed to provide the basic data for developing nursing intervention programs to enhance the health of pregnant women and their new-born babies and by identifying the advanced aged women's need for pregnancy and childbirth. Methods: It is the cross-sectional descriptive study to identify the advanced aged women's need on pregnancy and childbirth. Subjects were pregnant women 35 years or older and postpartum women. Total number of subjects was 95. Measurement tool is self-reporting survey that consisted of 67 items with four-point Likert scale, which was completed during October to November 2014. Results: Average score was 3.44 out of maximum 4 on the care need on pregnancy and childbirth. Average scores according to category were as follows: baby rearing and parental role, 3.55; preconception care, 3.49; delivery care, 3.47; postpartum care 3.42; and prenatal pregnancy, 3.39. The degree of needs on pregnancy and childbirth was different according to delivery experience (t=-2.49, p=.014). Conclusion: Prenatal and postpartum nursing interventions were completed regardless of pregnant women's age until now; however, new nursing intervention programs are necessary to prevent the risk of advanced aged pregnancy, to provide the preconception care, and to increase the infant care and family support.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2003

This study was conducted to evaluate nutritional status of Korean women of child-bearing age. A comparison was made between 113 non-pregnant and 200 pregnant women. Pregnant women of 24-28 weeks of gestation were recruited from prenatal clinic in Seoul. Nonpregnant women were included college students, nurses, office employers, and sales women. General characteristics, anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, and hematological values were assessed. There was no difference in mean BMI for nonpregnant and pregnant (pre-gravid) women, which were 20.2 kg/m$^2$and 20.6 kg/m$^2$respectively. The pregnant women showed a tendency of better health-caring behavior, evidenced by stop smoking and drinking, and in taking nutrient supplements. The mean intakes of energy, vitamin A, vitamin B$_2$, calcium, and iron did not meet Korean RDA for adult women. In particular, calcium and iron intakes of both nonpregnant and pregnant women were under 60% of the Korean RDA. Judging by MDA score, dietary quality was better in pregnant than in nonpregnant women. Mean serum values of albumin, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, Hb, IgA, IgG were in normal range. However, more than 13% of the nonpregnant subjects showed mild hypercholesterolemia (cholesterol > 200 mg/dl) and anemia (Hb < 12.0 g/dl) . The percentage of anemia in pregnant women were much higher; the subject with Hb < 11.0 g/dl were approximately 30%. The pregnant subjects showed significantly higher serum concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol, and significantly lower concentrations of albumin, IgA, and IgG compared to nonpregnant women. Correlation analysis showed that Hb concentrations were correlated with the intakes of iron- and protein- containing foods such as meat and vegetables. This study strongly suggest that iron-deficient anemia is a major nutrition problem in Korean child-bearing women and this condition is correlated with dietary intakes.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2020

Purpose: : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intrauterine insemination (IUI) success rate and to define the variables for predicting success. Methods: The secondary data analysis was used with data collected from infertile females who underwent IUI in Fertility and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) clinics, who benefited from the 'National Medical-aid Program for ART (assisted reproductive technology) in 2016', in which the data of 34,920 IUI cases were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome measure was the clinical pregnancy rate in elderly and young infertile females. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, χ2 test and logistic regression. Results: The pregnancy rate was 12.1% (2,095 cases) in elderly infertile females and 15.6% in young infertile females (2,758 cases) (χ2 = 87.90, p< .001). Using the logistic regression analysis, clinical pregnancy was positively associated with the ovulatory factor (OR= 1.48, p< .001) and male factor (OR= 1.19, p< .05) in elderly infertile females. It was positively associated with the ovulatory factor (OR= 1.30, p= .001) and the peritoneal cavity factor (OR= 0.58, p< .05) in young infertile females. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the pregnancy rate in young infertile females was higher than that in old infertile females, and the IUI is the effective option in pregnancies in all ages with infertility due to the ovulatory factor. Additionally, further studies are necessary to fully describe pregnancy experiences for all the infertile females.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.230-241
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was done to confirm prenatal health management and educational needs for pregnant women with advanced maternal age (AMA) and pregnant women under 35 years of age. Methods: This study was a descriptive research in which self-report questionnaires were used. Participants were 279 pregnant women (83 AMA and 196 less than 35). Results: Only 32.5% of AMA women had received prenatal education and 51.8% reported wanting internet education. AMA women, compared to the under 35 women, had higher levels of self-awareness of health problems and possibility of health problems but lower levels of alcohol experience before pregnancy. For prenatal health management, scores were low for prenatal exercise, prenatal education and nutrition. For prenatal health management education, AMA women reported high levels of need for education on health problems. Conclusion: The results indicate that prenatal health management education must be given considering differences in age-related requirements by emphasizing health care and obstetric complications during pregnancy for AMA women and anemia and information on substance use during pregnancy for women under 35. Reliable internet-based education programs need to be developed using available information and communication technology for the increasing number of employed pregnant women.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.429-440
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• 1998

A survey was conducted to examine the fatigue and the related factors in pregnancy. 426 pregnant women were recruited from antenatal clinic at 8 hospital from November 1, 1997 to January 1, 1998. Fatigue was measured by the Modification of the Fatigue Symptoms Checklist(MFSC) developed by the Industrial Fatigue Research Committee of the Japanese Association of Industrial health(Yoshitake, 1978). The MFSC consisted of 34 items with 4-point Likert scale. Minor discomfort during pregnancy was measured using a 14-item checklist with 4-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed by percentage, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation. The major findings of study were as follows : 1. The average fatigue score during pregnacy was 63.02 and the average minor discomfort score was 26.92. 2. The fatigue score of nullipara was significantly lower than that of mutipara. There was a significant difference of fatigue score between pregnant women with conjugal family and those with extended family. The fatigue score during 1st trimester was the highest in comparison with that of 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. 3. The fatigue score of pregnant women who worked for house-keeping only was significantly lower than that of pregnant women who worked partially or did not work for house-keeping. 4. There were significant correlations among each type of measure of fatigue and discomfort. Fatigue was the most common symptom during pregnancy and related to type of family, house-keeping work, and parity. Nursing intervention such as self-car, relaxation, and nutrition would be developed to manage fatigue problem in pregnancy.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2000

In modern society, the amount of alcohol ingestion is increasing at a dangerous level, especially among women. One of reason for increased alcohol consumption is stress caused by social pressures. Alcohol is a kind of depressant of centric nervous system, so it can induce relaxation of body and decrease the stress. The evidence on the effects of alcohol on the fetus is somewhat hazy, whereas that of smoking is quite clear. The literature on the ingestion of alcohol strongly suggests that drinking during pregnancy is associated with teratogenic effect and low birth weight. Therefore, the adverse effect of alcohol ingestion during pregnancy must be informed to public. More remarkable warning sign about alcohol ingestion must be attached on the top of bottles. This can be an effective measure for public education. Also legal sanction or tax imposition for the production of liquor be required. First of all, drinking habit or drinking culture must be changed. In fact, the strongest motivation of drinking in adolescent is a peer pressure which is related to drinking habit or culture. Secondly, early detection and treatment must be required to prevent from fetal alcohol syndrome. Accordingly, drinking history of pregnant women must be assessed as early as possible and health professional should give a warning about the abstinence of alcohol to drinking women. Thirdly, to minimize the adverse effects for mother, withdrawal syndrome by alcohol ingestion must be treated. to correct the malformation by fetal alcohol syndrome(FAS) can be corrected. Sometimes surgical intervention may be required for this purpose.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the influences of the attitudes of pregnant women and their husbands towards sex during pregnancy on sexual function. Additional purpose was to compare the frequency of sexual dysfunction according to gender and gestational trimester and to describe the changes in sexual behavior according to the gestational trimester. Methods: In this study, 231 pregnant couples completed self-report questionnaires during their visits to women's hospitals or community health centers. The questionnaires assessed general characteristics, maternal/paternal sexual attitudes towards sex during pregnancy (Maternal Sex during Pregnancy Scale, MSP/Paternal Sex during Pregnancy Scale, PSP), and sexual function (using the Female Sexual Function Index and International Index of Erectile Function, respectively). Multiple regression analysis was done to test the research model using SPSS version 23.0. Results: In this study, 74.9% of pregnant women and 38.5% of their husbands reported sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction was prevalent in pregnant women in the first trimester and prevalent in husbands in the third trimester. MSP (β=.44, p<.001) in pregnant women and PSP (β=.39, p<.001) and being in the first trimester (β=.17, p=.012) in husbands influenced sexual function during pregnancy. In the first trimester, the scores for attitudes towards sex during pregnancy were the lowest in pregnant women, while they were the highest in their husbands. Conclusion: Positive attitudes about sex during pregnancy are important for sexual function in pregnant couples. Because the difference in attitudes towards sex during pregnancy between pregnant women and their husbands was greatest in the first trimester, sexual health interventions need to be provided in early pregnancy.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.367-378
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• 2018

Purpose: To examine effects of a postnatal care program on self-efficacy, self-management, and glycemic control in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: A non-equivalent control group non-synchronized quasi-experimental design was used. Sixty-two women with GDM were enrolled and assigned to either an experimental group (n=30) or a control group (n=32). The experimental group received an intervention which was postnatal care program for women with GDM. The postnatal care program for GDM included an individual education with leaflet and mobile web-based video with three times of telephone counseling. Effects of the intervention were measured with self-efficacy, self-management questionnaire, and a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (75g OGTT). Statistical significance was examined using independent t-test and $x^2-test$. Results: Although there was no significant difference in 75g OGTT ($x^2=.11$, p=.748) or self-management (t=-1.28, p=.206), there was a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy (t=-2.02, p=.048) in the experimental group compared to that in the control group. Conclusion: A postnatal care program is needed for women with GDM to improve their self-efficacy. Further studies are warranted to improve self-management and glycemic control through tailored education for GDM postpartum women.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.14-26
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the effects of nursing intervention programs for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) through a critical review of recent studies. Methods: Studies related to effects of nursing intervention programs for women with GDM published in English or Korean between 2000 and 2019 were extracted from 10 electronic databases. The quality of the studies was evaluated and double-checked for accuracy by two reviewers using the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for randomized controlled trials. Results: Twenty studies were selected, of which 19 had a low risk of bias and one had a high risk of bias. Interventions fell into six main groups: (1) integrated interventions, (2) self-monitoring of blood glucose levels, (3) dietary interventions, (4) exercise, (5) psychotherapy, and (6) complementary therapy. This review found that nursing interventions for GDM were of many types, and integrated interventions were the most common. However, low-carbohydrate diets and blood glucose monitoring interventions did not show statistically significant results. Evidence shows that various nursing intervention programs applied to GDM improved diverse aspects of maternal, fetal, and neonatal health, including both physical and psychological aspects. Conclusion: The composition and delivery of integrated interventions continue to evolve, and these interventions affect physical and psychological indicators. Although interventions affecting physical health indicators (e.g., blood glucose levels, diet, and exercise) are important, many studies have shown that programs including psycho-emotional nursing interventions related to anxiety, depression, stress, self- efficacy, and self-management are also highly useful.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.118-131
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to provide essential data for the development of a prenatal healthcare intervention program tailored to Vietnamese migrant women. This study assessed the knowledge and the practice of prenatal health management, and the levels of depression among Vietnamese women of childbearing age residing in Korea and Vietnam. Methods: Using a descriptive research design, a structured questionnaire was administered to Vietnamese women of childbearing age, with 113 participants residing in Korea and 196 participants residing in Vietnam. Data was collected from Februay to April 2021. Data was analyzed using t-test and chi-square test. Result: The analysis of knowledge regarding prenatal health management revealed significant differences between married women in both locations, with higher knowledge scores. Regarding prenatal health management practices, no significant differences were found based on marital status or place of residence. Particularly in the item "Will receive regular prenatal check-ups at the hospital." married Vietnamese women in Vietnam had lower scores than unmarried women, and rural women had lower scores than urban women. The lowest score was observed among Korean-residing women in the item "Will seek pregnancy and childbirth information." Regarding depression, married women in Vietnam and women living in rural areas demonstrated significantly higher depression scores. Conclusion: When designing perinatal management interventions for Vietnamese immigrant women, special attention should be given to those originating from rural areas in Vietnam. It is recommended to incorporate the importance of perinatal healthcare and factors related to mental well-being into the intervention program.