• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.492-503
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recently, the recommended nutrient intakes (RNI) for vitamin D for Malaysian aged 1-70 yrs has been revised from 5 ㎍/day to 15 ㎍/day. This study is aimed to assess the adequacy of vitamin D intake based on revised RNI and to recommend several dietary strategies to increase total vitamin D intake. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Vitamin D intake from both food and supplement of 217 pregnant women was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Hypothetical effect of expanded supplementation and food fortifications strategies were modelled using the consumption data. RESULTS: The results revealed that more than half (67.7%) of pregnant women had inadequate vitamin D intake (RNI < 15 ㎍/day). The modelling results demonstrated the potential of universal provision of 10 ㎍/day of multivitamins supplements in increasing vitamin D intake. Moreover, mandatory fortification of both milk and malted drink at single level of 5 ㎍/serving would lead to increase in vitamin D intake of Malaysians, particularly pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of this study can be used as a reference for public health professionals to re-evaluate the existing Malaysian food fortification policies and supplementation recommendation for vitamin D for pregnant women.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.186-196
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• 2021

Purpose: Breast cancer is becoming increasingly prevalent among young Korean women. During pregnancy, women's concern regarding their breasts heightens. Thus, pregnancy provides a window of opportunity for breast cancer prevention and management along with antenatal care. This study developed and evaluated an integrated breast health program for pregnant women. Methods: This study employed a non-equivalent control group and non-synchronized design (22 experimental, 29 control). Women pregnant for over 28 weeks participated. The two-session integrated breast health program focused on breast management during breastfeeding and education about breast cancer prevention and early screening. Results: During the early postpartum period (within three months after the program), there were statistically significant differences in knowledge and attitude about breast cancer and breast self-examination before and after the program. There were also statistically significant differences in BSE at 6 and 12 months after the program and mammography at 12 months after the program. However, there were no statistically significant differences in clinical breast examination and breast ultrasonography at 6 and 12 months after the program. Conclusion: The integrated breast health management program was effective in increasing knowledge and improving attitudes regarding breast cancer, BSE, and early screening practices among pregnant women. Further studies should consider providing breast health programs differently for each phase of pregnancy and continuing the same after delivery.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.115-126
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to develop communication strategies for effective nutrition education targeting pregnant women and to create nutrition education contents. Methods: The format and the contents of online resources on nutrition information for pregnant women provided by reliable institutions were analyzed. Possible solutions to overcome barriers of nutrition education as well as communication strategies for effective nutrition education were identified by a brainstorming process. Based on the communication strategies, contents for nutrition education were created. Understandability, level of interest, applicability to daily life, harmony of text and illustration, and overall satisfaction of the contents were evaluated by dietitians and pregnant women. Results: The four communication strategies were developed; (1) to focus on a few important messages, (2) to provide evidence-based information, (3) to create illustrations or infographics with a minimum amount of text, and (4) to provide tips on how to improve the current diet options. Based on these strategies, the contents were focused on three important nutrients for pregnant women, folate, iron, and calcium. The percentages of the recommended nutrient intakes of the three nutrients on selected menu and its improved version by adding a dish or changing a dish into another dish were calculated and provided. Finally, the contents were delivered as illustrations with a minimum amount of text. Overall, dietitians and pregnant women were satisfied with the contents. Conclusions: The contents developed in this study can be used in a pamphlet or a pregnancy diary, or can be shared in social networking services. Further contents on other nutrients and various menu are expected to be developed using these communication strategies.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.203-215
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• 2024

Purpose: The increasing number of high-risk pregnancies has led to a greater emphasis on psychological well-being in nursing care. However, reducing depression does not automatically equate to increasing happiness. This study aimed to systematically examine the factors influencing happiness and depression among high-risk pregnant women in South Korea. Methods: This correlational, cross-sectional study was based on the ecological systems theory. In total, 152 high-risk pregnant women completed a self-report survey questionnaire available online or offline. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis. Results: The first model (individual system) identified pregnancy stress and mindfulness as significant factors influencing both happiness and depression. The second model (microsystem) identified medical status at the time of the survey, maternal-fetal interaction, marital intimacy, and social support as additional significant factors influencing either happiness or depression. In the third model (mesosystem), maternal-fetal interaction and paternal-fetal attachment were no longer identified as significant factors. Although the fourth model (exosystem) did not identify community service as a significant factor, individual (pregnancy stress, mindfulness) and microsystem (marital intimacy) factors were found to influence happiness and depression. Medical status at the time of survey and social support were additional factors that influenced happiness, but not depression. These factors explained 51.2% and 55.5% of the variance in happiness and depression, respectively, among high-risk pregnant women. Conclusion: Different factors at the individual and microsystem levels affected happiness and depression among high-risk pregnant women. Hence, efforts to reduce depression among these women should be accompanied by efforts to actively promote happiness.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the stress, depression, and fetal attachment of pregnant women who underwent infertility treatment, and to identify factors associated with fetal attachment. Methods: As a correlation survey design, data were collected from 136 pregnant women who underwent infertility treatment. Data were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: Stress, depression, and fetal attachment averaged $3.01{\pm}0.60$ (range of scale 1~5), $10.02{\pm}6.51$ (out of a possible 63), and $3.64{\pm}0.55$ (range of scale 1~5), respectively. Level of fetal attachment was higher when mother's age was less than 35, having other children, and having prenatal education experience. Lower score of depression and client's age less than 35 were significant factors affecting fetal attachment. Conclusion: Infertility is a life-affecting trauma for the individual, and personal and social changes due to infertility cause physical and psychological difficulties even after a successful pregnancy with infertility treatment. Therefore, prenatal management programs need to be developed giving consideration to the emotional and physical changes in order to promote physical and psychological stability in the women pregnant following infertility treatment.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.561-571
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a newborn care education promotion program on child-rearing knowledge, child rearing stress, and child rearing self-efficacy of immigrant pregnant women. Methods: The subjects were 23 immigrant pregnant women who voluntarily participated in the study in D city. The program was provided, once a week for 90 minutes for a period of 3 weeks. The outcome variables were child-rearing knowledge, child-rearing stress, and child rearing self-efficacy. Data was collected from April 4 to June 24, 2011, through self-administered questionnaires. Results: The program significantly improved child rearing knowledge, child rearing stress, and newborn care self-efficacy for married immigrant pregnant women who participated in the program compared to women who did not participate. Conclusion: The results suggest that the reproductive health promotion program has an affirmative effect on child-rearing knowledge, child rearing stress, and child rearing self-efficacy of married immigrant pregnant women. It is suggested, therefore, that the educational program be presented to married immigrant woman at public health centers to enhance their confidence in child-rearing.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.336-347
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of relaxation therapy on state anxiety, preterm labor stress, blood pressure, skin temperature, pulse rate of pregnant women with preterm labor and heart rate of their babies. Methods: The participants were 55 pregnant women with preterm labor who hospitalized from May, 2009 to January, 2010. 29 participants were assigned to experimental group and the other 26 participants to control group. All of them were not have any other complications except preterm labor. The relaxation therapy was applied to the experimental group for 5 days. Data were analyzed by the SPSS/WIN 14.0 program. Results: The state anxiety score and the preterm labor stress score of experimental group were statistically significant lower than those of control group. In addition, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate of experimental group were statistically lower than those of control group. The skin temperature of experimental group was higher than that of control group. However, the fetal heart rate of experimental group was not statistically significant lower than fetal heart rate of control group. Conclusion: From these findings, it is concluded that relaxation therapy may be an effective nursing intervention for pregnant women with preterm labor.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.213-223
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between stress, temperament and maternal-fetal attachment in pregnant women. The respondents in this research were 249 pregnant women who were participating in a Parent Education project. Data was collected by way of a questionnaire. A summary of the findings were as follows: Among the pregnant women in this study, total stress level was below the average and maternal fetal attachment level was above the average. The group demonstrating high levels of stress exhibited low level of maternal-fetal attachment when compared to those with low levels stress. Pregnant woman's stress and maternal temperament demonstrated a significant correlation with maternal-fetal attachment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.499-505
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• 2021

In this study, HRV signals are analyzed to compare the autonomic nervous system activity of non-pregnant women and pregnant women. 99 disease-free pregnant women and 27 non-pregnant women from W Hospital participated in the study. The acquired HRV signals were used by the program to perform time domain analysis and frequency domain analysis. The measured values were statistically analyzed for differences between pregnancy periods through a one-way ANOVA. In the results, SDNN and RMSSD in time domain analysis had significantly higher results in early pregnancy and non-pregnant women compared to mid- and late pregnancy. In frequency domain analysis, LF and HF had significantly higher values for pregnancy and non-pregnancy compared to midand late-term, but there was no significant difference between VLF and LF/HF. his means that as pregnancy progresses, the ability to control autonomous nerves decreases in the middle and late stages of pregnancy and increases physical fatigue and mental fatigue. Therefore, the longer the pregnancy period, the more special care is needed to maintain mental and physical stability of pregnant women.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.194-200
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• 1985

The purpose of this study was to investigate sodium intake and protein metabolism for pregnant women in Korea. The relationship between salt consumption and hypertension, electrolyte changes in pregnancy, and the tendency of weight gain of pregnant women were also examined. The dietary survey and twelve or twenty-four hour's urine collection was performed in this study. The subjects were pregnant women who came to gynecology clinic for prenatal care from July to August in 1984. The results were as follows: 1) Intakes of calorie and iron of Korean pregnant women were 2,036 Kcal and 16mg per day per person. The calorie composition consists of 65% carbohydrate, 16% protein, and 19% lipids. The average level of all nutrients was about 87% of Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances. 2) The sodium intakes in pregnant women estimated by dietary survey was 318.6 mEq Na (7,966 mg Na), which is equivalent to 20.2 g NaCl. 3) Daily sodium excretion was 112.5 mEq per liter, that is equal to 147.4 mEq. Potassium excretion was 24.95 mEq per liter and creatinine excretion was 594.0 mg per day. 4) There were statistically significant correlations between sodium intake and the excretions of sodium, potassium and creatinine. The blood pressure was positively correlated with sodium intakes. As sodium and potassium ratio was increased, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were also significantly increased 5) Urinary nitrogen and creatinine ratio known to be reliable index for nutritional status of protein was 5.5 : 1. These values were comparable to the values in American pregnant women. 6) The weight gain during the pregnancy was examined. There was little weight gain during the first trimester, because of nausea, vomit and decrease of appetite. The weight gain during the second trimester was 4.9Kg, and 11.1Kg for third trimester.