• 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.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.592-597
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• 1999

The purpose of this study were to determine the folate status of pregnant women living in kwangju, Korea and to assess the relationships between folate status and pregnancy outcome. Eighty-one women took part in the study: 26 in their first trimester of pregnancy, 23 in the second, and 32 in the final trimester. The folate intake data both from their diets and supplementasage was obtained using a 24-hour recall method and by measuring the use of supplements. Folate levels of serum and erythrocytes were determined by a microbiological assay using Lactovacillus casei(ATTC 7469) as the test organism. A series of determinations for pregnancy outcome was conducted, including birth weight, length, Apgar score at 5 min after birth, and gestational period. The dietary folate intake in each trimester was 118$\pm$85, 148$\pm$117, and 137$\pm$69ug/d, respectively. All levels were far below the Korean recommended diet allowances(RDA)for folate. Eighty-four percent of the subjects consumed supplemental folate after the 20th week of pregnancy until delivery. the supplemental folate intakes in the second and third trimester were 651$\pm$142 and 688$\pm$150ug/d, respectively. Therefore, the women who took folate supplements consumed more folate than the RDA. Serum folate levels for each trimester were 9.0$\pm$3.8, 11.4$\pm$6.0, and 16.3$\pm$11.0ng/ml respectively, greadually increasing as the pregnancy progressed; the serum folate level in the third trimester was significantly higher(p<0.05) than that in first trimester. The erythrocyte folate concentrations in each trimester were recorded as 369.8$\pm$108.8, 396.2$\pm$107.5, and 420$\pm$7 162.6ng/ml respectively. There was no significant differences among the erythrocyte folate concentrations unlike the serum folate levels. There was no significant difference among the erythrocyte folate concentrations unlike the serum folate levels. There was no signifcant correlation between trimester to be important in maintaining adequate folate status, however these results imply that the serum and erythrocyte folate levels were adequate to support the growth of the fetus.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 2023

Purpose: Uncertainty and restrictions on daily life have increased fear, stress, and depression during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Depression is the most common mental health problem in pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of fear and stress related to COVID-19 experienced by pregnant women, as well as their levels of depression, and to examine the factors associated with depression during pregnancy. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, correlational study conducted among 153 pregnant women who visited a maternity hospital in Busan, South Korea. A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection from December 18, 2021 to March 8, 2022. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. Results: Pregnant women experienced a moderate level of fear related to COVID-19, with an average score of 21.55±4.90. The average score for depression during pregnancy was 14.86±11.10, with 50.3% of the participants experiencing depression (≥13). The factors associated with depression during pregnancy were fear of COVID-19, contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, being in the third trimester of pregnancy, high stress levels due to difficulties experienced from social distancing measures, and unintended pregnancy. These five statistically significant factors explained 35.0% of variance in depression during pregnancy. Conclusion: Considering the prevalence of depression in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to develop interventions to reduce anxiety by providing correct information and alleviating the stress of social distancing.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.394-401
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• 2023

Background: Pregnancy is associated with a number of physical, emotional, and biological changes that can exacerbate maternal psychological disturbances, such as body image concerns and depression. Sleep disturbances during pregnancy can also have adverse impacts. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, sleep disturbances, and body image concerns among pregnant women. The study also examined the relationship between these factors and pregnancy-related variables, such as bad obstetric history and whether the pregnancies were unplanned. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 146 pregnant patients was conducted at a tertiary care center over 15 months. The patients were administered the Beck Depression Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Body Image Concern Inventory questionnaires. Contingency tables, Fisher exact test, and Spearman correlation were used to identify underlying relationships. Results: The prevalence of depression was 22.6%. Although body image disturbance was noted in only 2.7% of patients, 46.6% had poor sleep quality. Poor sleep was associated with primigravida status. Bad obstetric history and unplanned pregnancy were associated with depression. Depression was found to be significantly correlated with body image disturbances and poor sleep quality. Conclusion: Psychiatric disorders were prevalent during pregnancy. This study highlights the importance of screening for depression in pregnant patients. Counselling and caregiver education can be useful for mitigating psychological disturbances. Management of pregnancies by multidisciplinary teams that include psychiatrists could be immensely useful in improving the pregnancy experiences of patients.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.181-186
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• 2020

This study examined the artificial fertilization efficiency of crossbred goats from a farmhouse using frozen semen. Electrostimulation was used to ejaculate and collect semen to assess the artificial fertilization efficiency of crossbred goats. The sperm concentration, vitality, and vitality after melting were investigated. The sperm volume was within 2.5~3 ml, and the concentration was 21~25 × 10⁸/ml for each male crossbred goat. The melted semen had high vitality (≥90%). An IDEXX Rapid Visual Pregnancy Test kit was used for an earlier diagnosis of the pregnancy and to determine the pregnancy rate of fertilization using frozen-thawed semen. The reproductive performance of the artificially fertilized crossbred goats had the highest delivery rate (68%) from Farm C and the lowest delivery rate (45%) from farm A. The delivery rate through artificial fertilization was equal to the fertilization rate according to early pregnancy diagnostic kits. The artificial insemination efficiency was 45~68%. These findings can be used as the basis for improvement and breeding goats in goat farms and livestock research institutes.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.232-240
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive survey study was designed to identify the stress coping types of married immigrant pregnant women and find out the differences in maternal-fetal attachment and maternal identity based on each types. Methods: 151 married immigrant women who visited 3 women's hospitals located in J-do for pre-pregnancy checkup were selected as study objects. Data were analyzed by dsecriptive statistics, cluster analysis, t-test, ANOVA, and $Scheff{\acute{e}}$ multiple comparison test. Results: Cluster analysis revealed 4 distinct stress coping styles; low stress-coping involvement social support-oriented type, high stress-coping involvement hopeful thinking type, low stress-coping involvement type, effective stress coping types. Women frequently using effective stress coping type among the four types reported higher maternal-fetal attachment. The group of active coping styles got significantly higher score on maternal identity. Conclusion: Proper stress coping of married immigrant pregnant women regarding pregnancies proved to result in high levels of maternal-fetal attachment and maternal identity. Studies measuring the stress coping styles that affect pregnancies should be continuously conducted.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.23-43
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to explore the determinants of induced abortions of married women in Korea, with focus on the socioeconomic factors including fertility behaviors and ideation regarding family values. Data from the 2000 Korea National Fertility Survey by Korea Institute of Health and Social Affairs were used for the research. In particular, the women´s fertility history from 1998 to 2000 was served as the main data for this study. Among 1,901 pregnancies in total, 1,612 pregnancy outcomes were selected for the final analysis. Chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and multivariate logistic regressions were employed to identify influential factors on induced abortions. According to the results, working women was more likely than those who did not work to terminate their pregnancy by an induced abortion. Women´s religion did not show any significant impact on an induced abortion. A pregnant woman already having more than or equal to two children was very likely to choose an induced abortion. Likewise, those in unwanted pregnancy showed high probability of induced abortions. However, contrary to what we believe, it turned out that the number of sons did not affect the choice of induced abortions.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.233-242
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• 2018

Purpose: To identify risk factors for premature birth among premature obstetric labor women. Methods: Participants were 129 hospitalized women who were diagnosed with potential premature obstetric labor with 20 weeks to 37 weeks of gestation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, $x^2$ test, t-test, and binary logistic regression. Results: Of 129 women, 78(60.5%) gave premature birth and 51 (39.5%) gave full-term birth. Risk factors for premature birth were education level (${\leq}$bachelor's degree), abnormal bowel condition (constipation or diarrhea), time firstly diagnosed with a premature obstetric labor (below 28 weeks of pregnancy), and multiple pregnancy. There were also increased risks of premature birth for participants with high level of anxiety and high level of prenatal stress. In social support, there was an increased risk of premature birth for participants with low level of social support. Conclusion: Prenatal nursing programs should consider not only psychosocial factors such as anxiety, prenatal stress, and social support, but also some general and obstetric factors such as education level, abnormal bowel condition, time firstly diagnosed with a premature obstetric labor, and multiple pregnancy to increase maternal and child health.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1991-2000
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• 2018

Objective: Triplet-born lambs are less likely to survive to weaning than twin-born or single-born lambs. Appropriate ewe-lamb bonding behaviours and lamb vigour behaviours are necessary for survival of lambs. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether maternal nutrition during late pregnancy influenced behaviour of the ewe and her lambs soon after birth, and to determine whether mid-pregnancy body condition score (BCS) influenced any behavioural response. Methods: The experiments included ewes that were in BCS 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 in mid-pregnancy and were fed either ad libitum or to pregnancy-maintenance requirements in late-pregnancy (day 115 until 136 in experiment one, and day 128 until 141 in experiment two). The time taken for lambs to stand, contact dam, suck from dam and follow dam was recorded three to 18 h after birth. The number of high- and low-pitched bleats emitted by the ewe and lambs was recorded, along with maternal behaviour score (MBS) of the ewe. Lambs in experiment two underwent a maternal-recognition test at 12 or 24 h. Results: There were significant effects of feeding treatment on bleating behaviour of ewes and lambs, but these were inconsistent among BCS groups and between experiments. Lamb vigour behaviours were not affected by feeding treatment. In experiment one, there was no effect of feeding treatment or BCS on MBS, but in experiment two, ewes in BCS3 in mid-pregnancy had greater MBS than ewes in BCS2 in mid-pregnancy (MBS 3.1/5 vs MBS 2.1/5; p<0.05). Conclusion: Given there were no repeatable effects on behaviour of ewes and lambs, ad libitum feeding rather than feeding for pregnancy-maintenance requirements cannot be used to improve behaviours soon after birth of triplet-bearing ewes in BCS 2-3 and their lambs in extensive pastoral conditions.

• 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.