• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate how advanced maternal age influences lifestyle, nutrient intake, iron status, and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women. The subjects of this study were 112 pregnant women who were receiving prenatal care at gynecologists located in Seoul. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their ages: those over age 35 were the advanced age group of pregnant women (AP) and those under age 35 were the young age group of pregnant women (YP). General factors, nutrient intakes, iron status, and pregnancy outcomes of the two groups were then compared. It was found that 72.5% of the YP group and 51.2% of the AP group had pre-pregnancy alcohol drinking experience; indicating that the YP group had more pre-pregnancy alcohol consumption than the AP group (P<0.05). The only difference found in nutrient intake between the two groups was their niacin intakes which were $16.83{\pm}8.20\;mg$/day and $13.76{\pm}5.28\;mg$/day, respectively. When gestational age was shorter than 38.7 weeks, the average infant birth weight was $2.95{\pm}0.08\;kg$, and when gestational age was longer than 40 weeks, it averaged at about $3.42{\pm}0.08\;kg$. In other words, as gestational age increased, infant birth weight increased (P<0.0001), and when maternal weight increased more than 15 kg, the infant birth weight increased significantly (P<0.05). In conclusion, in order to secure healthy human resources, with respect to advanced aged women, it is necessary to intervene by promoting daily habits that consist of strategic increases in folate and calcium intake along with appropriate amounts of exercise.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.578-585
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• 2005

Maternal zinc deficiency is relatively common worldwide, but its consequences for pregnancy outcome are not established. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of zinc status in the second trimester on pregnancy outcome. Subjects were 248 pregnant Korean women (25-28 wk gestation). Cord blood was collected from subgroup of 69 women and pregnancy outcome data were obtained from 185 babies. Anthropometry measurement, dietary intake, and biochemical characteristics of pregnancy and cord serum substances were measured. The subjects were divided into quartiles on the basis of maternal serum Zn concentration; $ZnQ_1$ (< 25 percentile), $ZnQ_2$ ($26\~50$ percentile), $ZnQ_3$ ($51\~75$ percentile), and $ZnQ_4$ ($76\~100$ percentile). Zn groups were compared in terms of various maternal factors, concentrations of cord serum substances, and pregnancy outcome. Maternal serum Zn concentration was $118.4\;{\pm}\;35.5\;{\mu}g/dl$ as mean. Intake of Zn was lower than Korean RDA. The rate of Zn deficiency among all subjects was $8.5\%$. Maternal serum Zn levels belonged to normal range. Cord serum Zn level was about $154.7\%$ of maternal serum level. Intakes of energy, calcium, iron, folic acid, and riboflavin did not meet the Korean RDA for pregnant women by gestational age. The mean birth weight of neonates is 3083 $\pm$ 697 g, of whom $9.1\%$ were of low birth weight (< 2,500 g). Maternal serum Zn level was positively correlated with pre-pregnancy weight, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and vitamin C intake (p < 0.05). $ZnQ_1$ group had significantly lower maternal serum iron concentration and higher cord serum cholesterol than those in other groups. Maternal serum Zn level, cord serum Zn level, and dietary Zn intake were no related to the pregnancy outcome. The birth weight had a correlation with the maternal hemoglobin and albumin concentration. In conclusion, at this study, we could not find the association with maternal Zn status in 2nd trimester and pregnancy outcome.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.517-524
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• 2012

Purpose: To compare and confirm the impact of prepregnancy body mass index on pregnancy outcome in women with a singleton conceived by assisted reproductive technology and spontaneously conceived pregnancy. Methods: A sample of 165 and 247 pregnant women with and without assisted reproductive technology were retrospectively recruited from electronic medical charts of C hospital. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups for maternal age, paternal age, length of marriage, prepregnancy body mass index, parity, spontaneous abortion experience, and preterm delivery. A prepregnancy body mass index of ${\geq}25$ was associated with higher risk for maternal and neonatal complication in the assisted reproductive technology group. Conclusion: The results indicate that a higher prepregnancy body mass index is associated with increased risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes for women using assisted reproductive technology. So these women need appropriate care to compensate for the risk.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2002

Objectives: To compare the body composition of the postpartal female weight-gained over the recommended during pregnancy with that of normal female with same age. female diagnosed as obesity and postpartal female weight-gained within the recommended during pregnancy. Methods: From Apr. 1. 2001 to Feb. 28. 2002, there were 745 delivery in Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Kyung-Hee Medical Center. 32 mothers of them wanted to be investigated about the weight gain during their pregnancy. We excluded 12 persons who had gained within the recommended weight$(15{\beta}{\prod})$ and had diagnosed as the diseases inducing pathologic edema, preeclamsia. gestational heart or renal diseases, for example. In 2 days after delivery(nomal) or 5 days after(Caesarean section) we analysed the body composition of 20 persons. Results: 1. Compared with normal female, body weight, body mass index and body fat of the women gained over the recommended were increased and there made alternation to the increase of the percentage of body fat or the decrease of the percentage of lean body mass. 2. Compared with obese women who had same body mass index, the women gained over the recommended showed a little increase of body fluid, protein and mineral, but had a little decrease of the percentage of body fat. 3. The percentages of body fat increased with the women gained over the recommended, the women gained within the recommended and the obese women in order. This could imply the relation between the pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy and the obesity. 4. The weights before pregnancy were same in the women gained over the recommended and the women gained within the recommended. But the weights just after delivery kept the gap happened during pregnancy between them and its main cause was the increase of body fat. Conclusions : The women gained over the recommended during pregnancy experienced the chage of body composition and its main cause was the increase of body fat. So compared with the women gained within the recommende, postpartal obesity more frequently could happen.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.284-294
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• 2017

Purpose: Along with the country's decreasing birth rate, many South Korean women are currently facing the issue of high risk pregnancy. Despite the increasing number of women who prefer to get married at an older age, fewer of them are aware of how to prepare for healthy pregnancy at such age. The following study has been conducted to check the level of awareness and educational demand regarding healthy pregnancy among female university students who are not majoring in medical fields. Methods: Google Forms was used to survey 245 female students attending a university located in the Province of Gyenongi. We asked about their attitudes to and knowledge of pregnancy, their lifestyle, and the demand for pregnancy education. Results: The average age of the participants was 20.4 years. Although the majority of the correspondents answered that they have received education about pregnancy before, many of them displayed a low level of knowledge regarding pregnancy. On contrast, the demand for education about pregnancy and high risk pregnancy was high. Conclusion: For healthier pregnancy and childbirth, more preparation is needed before entering pregnancy. Management programs to be given prior to pregnancy should be developed to promote the knowledge and awareness of healthy pregnancy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7547-7554
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• 2015

Background: The use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) among women is increasing in India, especially among those with limited education and resources. Preventing the initiation of SLT among women is critical since it has known negative consequences for oral and reproductive health. Most research on tobacco initiation in India focuses on adolescents. This paper addresses the unrecognized issues of post marital initiation among women of reproductive age, highlighting the importance of reproductive stages in women's tobacco initiation. The objective is to examine the correlates of SLT initiation among low income women in Mumbai from pre-marriage through early marriage, first pregnancy and beyond, using case examples to illustrate initiation during each of these stages. Materials and Methods: In 2011-2012, cross-sectional community level survey data were collected from a representative sample of 409 daily SLT-using married women aged 18-40 years in a low income community in Mumbai. Information on socio-demographics, initiation by reproductive stage, types of tobacco use, childhood exposure to tobacco, learning to use, and initiation influences and reasons were collected through a researcher-administered survey. Univariate and bivariate analysis assessed factors influencing initiation of SLT use by reproductive stage. In addition 42 narratives of tobacco use were collected from a purposive sample of pregnant and non-pregnant married women addressing the same questions in detail. Narratives were transcribed, translated, and coded for key concepts including initiation of tobacco use. Results: Thirty-two percent of women initiated SLT use before marriage, 44% initiated after marriage but before pregnancy, 18.1% initiated during their first pregnancy and the remainder started after their first pregnancy. Mean age of marriage among women in this study was 16 years. Younger women (i.e. age at time of the interview of less than 30 years) were 0.47 [95% CI (0.32, 0.87)] percent less likely to initiate after marriage than women aged more than 30 years. Women who got married before 18 years of age were 2.34 [95% CI (1.40, 3.93)] times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Childhood exposure was a predictor for initiating SLT use prior to marriage but not after. Women reporting tooth and gum pain were 1.85 times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Husband and neighbours were the most significant influences on post-marital initiation. Narratives highlighted differences in processes of initiation pre and post marriage and during pregnancy. Conclusions: Most tobacco prevention interventions are directed to adolescents in school. This study suggests that especially for low literate or illiterate women, school based interventions are ineffective. To be effective strategies to prevent SLT initiation must reach women in urban areas at or immediately after marriage and during their first pregnancy. Messages must negate culturally rooted beliefs about the health benefits of SLT in order to prevent initiation and onset of daily use.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.195-203
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between fatigue, sleep disturbance, and gestational stress in women during late stage of pregnancy. Methods: This study was conducted with 113 healthy pregnant women at gestational age greater than 27 weeks who were registered at community health centers and received prenatal care. A structured questionnaire regarding fatigue, sleep disturbance, and gestational stress was used. The data was analyzed using a t-test, an ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: The subjects with unplanned pregnancies and irregular exercise patterns showed a higher level of fatigue than those with planned pregnancies and regular exercise patterns. Pregnant women with caffeine intake manifested higher levels of gestational stress and sleep disturbance than those without. The levels of sleep disturbance and gestational stress increased as the fatigue levels increased. The fatigue levels increased with increased levels of sleep disturbance. Conclusion: Planned pregnancy, regular exercise patterns, and caffeine intake were related with fatigue, sleep disturbance, and gestational stress in women during late stages of pregnancy. Fatigue, sleep disturbance, and gestational stress had close associations to each other. In the future, such results should guide development of nursing intervention programs for women in late stages of pregnancy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.5-14
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• 1996

The purpose of this study is to find the Korean women's view to pregnancy within the Korean cultural context, to help nurses understand psychosocioemotional schema of the pregnant women, and to contribute to theory-building on the meaning of pregnancy. The interviewees were 21 women in their twenties or thirties and they were selected by theoretical sampling technique. Thirteen women of the interviewees were single and others married. Data were collected by in-depth interviews from September November in 1994. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed by Van Kaam's phenomenological method. Results were as follows. Eighty two descriptive expression were found and they were grouped under fourteen common factors. These are 「to maintain family」, 「instinct」, 「obligation」, 「what one should do」, 「to make home」, 「to tie couple firmly」, 「means to overcome a period of lassitude」, 「token of love」, 「hope」, 「to avoid loneliness」, 「wanted to have a baby」, 「to provide for old ages」, 「to be a mother」, 「to achieve her desire through baby」. Finally, fourteen common factors were grouped under four higher categories. Five common factors, 「to maintain family」, 「instinct」, 「obligation」, 「what one should do」, 「to make home」 were grouped under〈custom〉. Three factors, 「to tie couple firmly」, 「means to overcome a period of lassitude」, 「token of love」 were grouped under 〈love between couple〉. Four factors, 「hope」, 「to avoid loneliness」, 「wanted to have a baby」, 「to provide for old ages」 were grouped under 〈pursuiting safety〉. Two factors, 「to be a mother」, 「to achieve her desire through baby」 were grouped under 〈self-fulfillment〉. At present, the most distinguishing motivation of childbearing was rooted in the cultural custom. Korean women thought that it was their duties to have children and children were necessary in life. But they were beginning to recognize that baby could tie couple more firmly and get rid of their loneliness. Korean women no longer considered their children as the one who would take care of them when they were old or who would satisfy their unmet needs. As pregnancy is not women's duty only, authors recommend further studies on men's view to pregnancy.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to analyze the phases of back pain occurring on pregnant women, and to raise the necessity of the pain management on the basis of the former analysis. The objective group is 284 pregnant women who visited department of OBGY of hospital located both in Seoul and Andong. The results are as follows; 1. 204(71.8%) pregnant women were suffering from back pain. The ratio of pain occurrance in terms of the duration of pregnancy shows that 78.3% within 3 pregnant months, 68.4% between four and six months and 72.1% over seven month. Most common ares of pain was low back area rating 60.5%. 2. The most painful postural for the suffering women was lying on the back rating 35.9% and the next painful posture was standing rating 34.4%. And the most painful movement was to maintaining continues movement(57.8%). Twisting back rates the second(17.2%). These two variables were relevant each other(p<0.05). 3. 46.7% of pregnant women were experiencing nocturnal pain. Among women experienced the pain before pregnancy, 39.9% were suffering during the pregnancy. The occurrence of nocturnal pain was related to the pain before and after the pregnancy(p<0.05). 4. 58.8% of pregnant women who experience back pain take the pain for granted as a normal proceeding of pregnancy while 3.9% recognize the symptom as an abnormal. Pain recognition in accordance with the phases does not show much difference(p<0.05). 5. It is shown that the more one delivers the number of babies, the faster back pain occurs(p<0.01). 6. 32.3% of the pain-suffering women have family member(s) having back pain. Family member(s) of the women who does not experience the pain don't have the pain either. This case reports 46.1%. Statistically, these two variables are relevant(p<0.01). 7. 43.0% of back pain experiencing women does not have any particular management plan against the pain. 20.7% is exercising as for prevention. Women who recognize the necessity of some means of therapy for their pain marked 42.9%. The majority(65.8%) of women responded exercise gymnastic work-out are most appropriate pain management. The above results show that a great number of pregnant women is experiencing back pain, however, they properly managed. This span suggests that appropriate advocacy and education for pregnant women is necessary. It is recommended that positive contribution can be made to better health of pregnant women when pain management by physical therapist is given.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.71-82
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was 1) to examine levels of awareness on preconception care and pregnancy, and reproductive health promoting behavior among pre-honeymooners; and 2) to explore the relationship between awareness levels of preconception care and pregnancy, and reproductive health promoting behavior. Methods: This study was a correlation design with a total of 134 participants (67 couples of pre-honeymooners). Data were collected with questionnaire Results: Mean score of self-perception of awareness of preconception care and pregnancy was 2.82 out of 4. Content awareness level was 6.83 out of 13, and reproductive health promoting behavior score was 3.02 out of 4, indicating low to mid-level. Women reported higher scores in all variables than those in men. Self-perception awareness and content awareness of care and pregnancy had a weak positive correlation (r=.18, p=.038). Reproductive health promoting behavior was positively related to self-perception awareness of care and pregnancy (r=.33, p<.001) and content awareness of care and pregnancy (r=.23, p=.008). Conclusion: Based on this results, a variety of nursing intervention strategies may need to promote reproductive health behavior such as raising awareness of the preconception care and pregnancy.