• Journal of health informatics and statistics
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.336-343
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test and validate a model to predict antenatal depression. Methods: Data were collected from a self-administered questionnaire of 251 pregnant women in D metropolitan city. Exogenous variables were self-esteem, social support, and high risk pregnancy. Endogenous variables consisted of pregnancy stress, pregnancy coping, and antenatal depression. Data were analyzed by SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 21.0. Results: Model fit indices for the hypotheoretical model fitted to the recommended levels. Out of 12 paths, 6 were statistically significant. Variables accounted for 72.6% of antenatal depression. Predictors of antenatal depression were pregnancy stress (t = 7.64), self-esteem (t = -2.03), and social support (t = -2.06). Conclusions: Results indicate that an intervention program which increases self-esteem would be useful for pregnant women to decrease antenatal depression level. Antenatal program are needed to be applied to spouse and family members as well. To decrease pregnancy stress in pregnant women contributes to antenatal depression.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.120-131
• /
• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Low early pregnancy serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) levels can increase gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk, although inconsistent findings related to that association have been reported. This study examined the association of serum vitamin D with GDM and the possible influencers on this association. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 259 pregnant women within the Seremban Cohort Study (SECOST). Blood samples at < 14 weeks of gestation were drawn to determine serum 25(OH)D levels. GDM diagnosis was made at 24 to 32 weeks of gestation using a standard procedure. Association between serum vitamin D and GDM was tested using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Nearly all women (90%) had mild (68.3%) or severe (32.2%) vitamin D deficiency (VDD). Non-GDM women with mild VDD had a significantly higher mean vitamin D intake than GDM women with mild VDD (t = 2.04, p < 0.05). Women with higher early pregnancy serum vitamin D levels had a greater risk of GDM. However, this significant association was only identified among those with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in women with a body mass index indicating overweight or obese status. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of VDD in this sample of pregnant women underscores the need for effective preventive public health strategies. Further investigation of this unexpected association between serum vitamin D level and GDM risk in predominantly VDD pregnant women and the potential effects of adiposity and family history of T2DM on that association is warranted.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.95-104
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This study examined the influencing factors on antenatal depression among pregnant women. Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study with 255 pregnant women who visited a general hospital in a metropolitan city for their regularly scheduled check-up. Measurement tools employed were the Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the food habits, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Socio-demographic variables and the status of high risk pregnancy were identified. Influencing factors on antenatal depression were identified using a stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean score of antenatal depression was $7.2{\pm}5.0$; 18.4% with mild depression, 5.9% had moderate depression, with 0.8% identified with severe depression on BDI scale. Influencing factors on antenatal depression accounted for 47.8% of the total variance which consisted of quality of sleep, marital satisfaction, food habits, gestation periods, sexual satisfaction, high risk pregnancy, and age. Conclusion: Findings show that antenatal depression should be monitored on a regular basis during early pregnancy and in high risk pregnancy if possible, and quality of sleep and food habits should be incorporated in the management of antenatal depression.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.248-258
• /
• 2020

The vaginal microbiota may be important for pregnancy prognosis because vaginal dysbiosis during pregnancy appears to be related to preterm birth (PTB) or pregnancy loss. Previous reports have indicated that a Lactobacillus-poor microbial flora in the vagina and intrauterine infection by diverse anaerobes ascending from the vagina are associated with undesirable delivery outcomes. However, no research has involved the use of pyrosequencing analysis to examine vaginal microbiota profiles or their potential associations with high-risk pregnancy in Korean women. Vaginal swabs were collected from 500 Korean women for the identification of community state types (CSTs). Of these, 137 samples were further analyzed using a Roche/454 GS Junior pyrosequencer. Three distinct CSTs were identified based on the dominant vaginal microbes: CST I (Lactobacillus crispatus dominated), CST III (Lactobacillus iners dominated), and CST IV (with diverse species of anaerobes). Twelve of the 67 pregnant women had undesirable pregnancy outcomes (four miscarriages and eight PTBs). The dominant microbe in the vaginal microbiota of women who gave birth at full-term was L. crispatus. In contrast, L. iners was the dominant vaginal microbe in women who miscarried. Most (n = 6/8) vaginal microbiota profiles of women who experienced PTB could be classified as CST IV, with diverse bacteria, including anaerobic vaginal species. The present study provides valuable information regarding the characteristics of the vaginal microbiota of Korean women related to high-risk pregnancy. Investigation of the vaginal microbiotic structure in pregnant Korean women is necessary to enable better prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.160-170
• /
• 2003

Pregnant women in South Korea are a highly risk group fur iron deficiency anemia. Previous studies indicated that the 24-hour recall method was insensitive in distinguishing iron deficiency anemic women from normal women. This method is also impractical to when used at community health centers where no public health dietitians are employed. The objective of this study was to develop a convenient tool to evaluate the usual iron (Fe) intake of pregnant women. The study participants were 115 pregnant women (age 23 to 37 years) at gestational stage of 13 to 24 weeks. Anemic subjects were classified on the basis of their serum ferritin < 12.0 ${\mu}$g/L and hemoglobin < 12.0 g/dL levels. Food frequency questionnaires with 46, 29, and 15 commonly consumed food items were used to measure the usual intake of iron of the subjects. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin were measured from fasting blood samples. Nutrients intake was assessed on three consecutive days using the 24-hour recall method and the food record method. The iron index score calculated using the food frequency method showed a significantly positive correlation with iron intake for the three days dietary intake. The iron index showed a significantly difference (p < 0.05) between the normal and anemic groups. However, there was no significant difference in the iron intake between the anemic and the normal women as measured by the 24-hour recall and food record method. Our study indicated that the 29-food items questionnaire could be used as a screening tool to identify poor dietary intake of iron. (Korean J Community Nutrition 8(2) : 160170, 2003)

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.41-55
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This review explored the status of publications on intimate partner violence (IPV) against pregnant women in contemporary China. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycInfo databases were searched using the terms "IPV," "pregnant woman," "Chinese," and synonyms in English, along with related keywords for Chinese publications. All literature pertaining to IPV during pregnancy, conducted in China, and published between 1987 and September 2023 was included. Results: A total of 37 articles from 30 studies were selected. The prevalence of IPV during pregnancy ranged from 2.5% to 31.3%, with psychological violence being the most common form. Frequently identified risk factors included unintended pregnancy, poor family economic conditions, male partners engaging in health risk behaviors, poor employment status of women or their partners, low education levels among women, physical or mental health issues, strained couple relationships, and in-law conflicts. IPV during pregnancy primarily led to mental health problems for the victims and could result in adverse obstetric outcomes, as well as negative effects on the temperament and development of the offspring. Victims in China demonstrated a low willingness to seek help from professionals. Furthermore, relevant research in mainland China is scarce, with a limited number of studies and non-standardized research methodologies. Conclusion: Future research should investigate IPV in pregnancy from various perspectives, identify factors unique to IPV during pregnancy, and focus on high-risk groups. Considering the conditions in China, there is a pressing need to increase public awareness of IPV and to investigate interventions aimed at addressing this issue.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.447-456
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Pregnant women and those of childbearing age are a well-known sensitive population for human mercury exposure. Therefore, this study was conducted to reveal and enrich basic information for effective risk communication to reduce the adverse health effects of mercury exposure. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among 432 women aged 19-44 years, recruited conveniently from three different regions (Busan, Ulsan, and Gumi City). Questionnaires were developed by referring to the existing literature and through expert meetings. They consisted of questions on knowledge and awareness of mercury exposure risks, health information literacy, and relevant information. Results: The rank of perceived mercury health risk score was 5 out of 16 environmental risk factors, and 41.7% of participants thought that even a very little mercury could lead to an adverse health effect. Although 90.3% of participants had knowledge that childbearing age women must pay attention to fish intake, only 38.9% of participants knew the national fish intake guidelines for pregnant women. Conclusions: Although risk perception and knowledge of pregnancy-specific features of mercury were relatively high, the national fish intake guidelines were still not well recognized. It could be an effective strategy to provide evidence-based and targeted information articulated by professionals using internet based communication channels.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.548-560
• /
• 2005

Purpose: High risk women with congenital heart disease decide to get pregnancy is determined by not individual autonomous intention but complex interaction with their physical status and socio-psychological environments. This study tried to the answer to the question. : "What is experience high risk women who have congenital heart disease during transition to parenthood?". Method: A micro-ethnographic research method and oral historic research approach were done at the Grown-Up Congenital Heart Disease Clinic in one Korean metropolitan city from July 2002 to September 2003. Result: It was discovered that high risk women's experience of transitional parenthood is accounted as the process of lonely and fearful self-accomplishment. Their need for self-accomplishment creates them seek more opportunities to increase enduring abilities for their parenthood. Conclusion: We suggest that from the time of beginning of patient's making decisions about becoming pregnant, collaborative efforts must be considered that priority level of patient's needs be reviewed and find appropriate advices for their situation. Special counseling program should be provided to all the prospective parents with understanding their meaning of parenthood.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.54 no.12
• /
• pp.481-488
• /
• 2011

In the current era of low-birth rate in Korea, it is important to improve our neonatal intensive care and to establish an integrative system including a regional care network adequate for both high-risk pregnancies and high-risk newborn infants. Therefore, official discussion for nation-wide augmentation, proper leveling, networking, and regionalization of neonatal and perinatal care is urgently needed. In this report, I describe the status of neonatal intensive care in Korea, as well as nationwide flow of transfer of high-risk newborn infants and pregnant women, and present a short review of the regionalization of neonatal and perinatal care in the Unites States and Japan. It is necessary not only to increase the number of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beds, medical resources and manpower, but also to create a strong network system with appropriate leveling of NICUs and regionalization. A systematic approach toward perinatal care, that includes both high-risk pregnancies and newborns with continuous support from the government, is also needed, which can be spearheaded through the establishment of an integrative advisory board to propel systematic care forward.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.511-524
• /
• 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a threat to human health and public safety. People of all ages are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. However, the clinical manifestations of this infection differ by age. This study purposes to describe healthcare considerations for special populations, such as children, pregnant and lactating women, and older adults, who may have unique healthcare needs, in the pandemic situation. To realize the research purpose, we conducted a review of the practice guidelines of public documents and qualified studies that were published online/offline during a specific period. The review identified current knowledge on care for newborns, children in schools, pregnant women (from antenatal to postpartum care), and older adults suffering from high-risk conditions. Subsequently, we summarize vaccination guidance for special populations and, finally, discuss the issues currently affecting special populations. Therefore, this current knowledge on care for special populations helps nurses to provide accurate information on vaccinations aimed at preventing COVID-19 and protecting the masses from infection. Currently, the scarcity of information on COVID-19 variants necessitates further research on measures to reduce pandemic spread.