• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.84-92
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• 2020

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing maternal identity in pregnant women. Methods: Using a descriptive research design, a cross-sectional survey was conducted. In total, 127 pregnant women were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Korea from January to April 2019. Measurements included maternal identity, stress, depression, spousal and familial support, and demographic and obstetric characteristics. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The mean score for maternal identity was 131.15 out of 160, and the mean scores for stress, depression, and spousal and familial support were 14.59 (out of 40), 6.82 (out of 30), and 109.04 (out of 132), respectively. Stress (r=-.38, p<.001), depression (r=-.37, p<.001), and spousal and familial support (r=.37, p<.001) were significantly correlated with maternal identity. In multiple regression analysis, stress (β=-0.27, p=.005) and spousal and familial support (β=0.23, p=.014) were found to be significant factors influencing maternal identity in pregnant women (F=14.19, p<.001). Conclusion: It is necessary to develop effective strategies to mitigate stress and to encourage spousal and familial support in pregnant women. Such strategies could further enable pregnant women to enhance their maternal identity.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Maternal and Child Health
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2017

The thalidomide tragedy in the 1960s has resulted in a perpetuation of a certain perception amongst physicians and pregnant women that the use of medication during pregnancy is a potential teratogen. Consequently, physicians hesitate in prescribing medication to pregnant women. In addition, pregnant women often refuse medication despite therapeutic necessity because of this existing perception. Recently there have been frequent adverse pregnancy outcomes related to the recurrence of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, following pregnancy in older women. And there are lots of unnecessary termination of pregnancy due to the of information of medication exposed to medication following over 50% of unintended pregnancy. In light of this, better dissemination of information regarding the safe usage of medication for pregnant women is required. This would not only be cost-effective in terms of medical expenditure, but also prove beneficial for the treatment of diseases. In addition, Korea needs to adapt to the increasing changes of the international information system regarding supporting the safe usage of medication during pregnancy. An example of this is shown by the recent changes to the labeling of medication by the United States Food and Drug Administration. The new labeling includes information on the risk of usage, rather than just an arbitrary alphabetic classification of B, C, D, or X. Furthermore, this information is limited in Korea because of the lack of research, which in turn is due to several limitations on ethics and methodology, as well as present regulations on the research of pregnant women. From this, we can learn that government support is critical for the establishment of research so that we can alter the perception that all medication is harmful to pregnant women.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.235-249
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• 2022

Purpose: This study explored the degree to which pregnant women in Korea made informed choices regarding noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and investigated factors influencing whether they made informed choices. Methods: In total, 129 pregnant women in Korea participated in a web-based survey. Multidimensional measures of informed choice regarding NIPT and decisional conflict were used to measure participants' levels of knowledge, attitudes, deliberation, uptake, and decisional conflict related to NIPT. Additional questions were asked about participants' NIPT experiences and opinions. Results: All 129 pregnant women were recruited from an online community. Excluding those who expressed neutral attitudes toward NIPT, according to the definition of informed choice used in this study, only 91 made an informed choice (n=63, 69.2%) or an uninformed choice (n=28, 30.8%). Of the latter, 75.0% had insufficient knowledge, 39.3% made a value-inconsistent decision, and 14.3% did not deliberate sufficiently. No difference in decisional conflict was found between the two groups. A significant difference was found between the two groups in the reasons why NIPT was introduced or recommended (p=.021). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that pregnant women who were knowledgeable (odds ratio [OR], 4.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.17-10.47) and deliberated (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.57-0.98) were significantly more likely to make an informed choice. Conclusion: The results of this study help healthcare providers, including nurses in maternity units, understand pregnant women's experiences of NIPT. Counseling strategies are needed to improve pregnant women's knowledge of NIPT and create an environment that promotes deliberation regarding this decision.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data for reducing unnecessary radiation dose to the abdomen and fetus of pregnant women by presenting proper height of shielding protector for efficient abdominal shielding in chest PA examination of Korean pregnant women. The subjects of this study were 288 persons who were eligible for this study among 798 pregnant women who had chest PA examination from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016 Retrospective study was performed. Measurements was performed from the apex of the right and left lungs to costophrenic angle of the right and left lungs and to the lowest costophrenic angle among the right and left lungs at the top of the image(this line called Joo's line in this study). The mean of the right and left lung height of pregnant women were 259.09 mm and 263.57 mm, respectively. Also, the average height of the Joo's line designed by the researcher for proper abdominal radiation protection was 322.15 mm. For proper and efficient abdominal radiation protection for pregnant women, it is necessary to adjust the shielding according to the height of the pregnant woman. It is appropriate that the height of the shielding protector should be adjusted so that the upper part of the shield is located at 342.30 mm below from upper part of the detector.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.803-813
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• 2003

Literature suggests that iron deficiency anemia is prevalent among pregnant women all over the world. This study was designed to evaluate the iron status of pregnant women during the fist five months, with the intention of determining ways to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women in Korea. We collected dietary information and measured the biochemical status of iron in 171 pregnant women over 16 weeks of gestation (=16.7$\pm$2.34 week). Dietary intakes for 3 days were collected using the 24 hour recall and food record methods. The daily Fe intake was measured using the food frequency method. The Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated by using the pre-pregnancy weight and height, indicated that 31.3% of subjects were under-weight. We divided the subjects into normal and anemic group by using the serum ferritin levels. It appeared that the mean dietary intake of iron was 52.3% of the recommended level for pregnant women. The dietary quality evaluation showed that pregnant women ate only 58% of the recommended amount in the food groups of meat, fish, eggs, beans and milk and dairy products. The hematological indices showed that the mean Hemoglobin (Hb) was 11.9 g/dl, Hematocrit (Hct) was 35.1%, ferritin was 23.9 $ng/ml$, and transferrin was 297.3 ${\mu}g/dl$. The dietary intake of iron was significantly lower and the vitamin C intake was significantly higher in the anemic group. The pre-pregnancy BMI was significantly lower in the anemic group. Variables affecting iron intake were the Fe intake frequency index and the food group score. The Fe index showed significantly positive correlation with the pre-pregnancy food intake and the food group score. Hb showed a significantly positive correlation with the pre-pregnancy food intake. We concluded that strategies to improve iron status be implemented in the pre-pregnant stage so as to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency and that we should stress on the importance of an adequate diet as well as the maintenance of a heathy weight.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.142-152
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• 2013

Purpose: The Purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between maternal fetal attachment and state anxiety for pregnant women in preterm labor. Methods: The subjects consisted of 56 pregnant women in preterm labor on C hospital. The data were analyzed using SPSS computer program that includes descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe? test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Age distribution was 30~39 years of age. Mean score of maternal fetal attachment was 91.50. The group whose planned pregnancy was highest showed higher maternal fetal attachment. The primigravida group showed high maternal fetal attachment. Most frequently practiced attachment item was: "I'm really looking forward to seeing what the baby looks like". The next was was: "I enjoy watching my tummy jiggle as the baby kicks inside". There was no difference in degree of anxiety by general and obstetrical characteristics. There was statistically significant of negative correlation between maternal fetal attachment and state anxiety for pregnant women with preterm labor. Conclusion: Findings provide useful information for further studies in reducing anxiety and intervention programs relating to pregnancy and preterm labor. To increase maternal fetal attachment of pregnant women with preterm labor, it is necessary to standardize prenatal education program.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2013

This study was performed to compare the dietary food and nutrient intakes according to supplement use in pregnant and lactating women in Seoul. The subjects were composed of 201 pregnant and 104 lactating women, and their dietary food intake was assessed using the 24-h recall method. General information on demographic and socioeconomic factors, as well as health-related behaviors, including the use of dietary supplements, were collected. About 88% and 60% of the pregnant and lactating women took dietary supplements, respectively. The proportion of dietary supplements used was higher in pregnant women with a higher level of education. After adjusting for potential confounders, among the pregnant women, supplement users were found to consume 45% more vegetables, and those among the lactating women were found to consume 96% more beans and 58% more vegetables. The intakes of dietary fiber and ${\beta}$-carotene among supplement users were higher than those of non-users, by 23% and 39%, respectively. Among pregnant women, the proportion of women with an intake of vitamin C (from diet alone) below the estimated average requirements (EAR) was lower among supplement users [users (44%) vs. non-users (68%)], and the proportion of lactating women with intakes of iron (from diet alone) below the EAR was lower among supplement users [usesr (17%) vs. non-users (38%)]. These results suggest that among pregnant and lactating women, those who do not use dietary supplements tend to have a lower intake of healthy foods, such as beans and vegetables, as well as a lower intake of dietary fiber and ${\beta}$-carotene, which are abundant in these foods, and non-users are more likely than users to have inadequate intake of micro-nutrient such as vitamin C and iron.

• 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.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2018

Objective : High-risk pregnant women are exposed to the physical and emotional crisis associate with the condition of high-risk pregnancy, making these women emotionally unstable, exhibiting such conditions as depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to examine what effects the temperament and character of high-risk pregnant women had on their depression, anxiety, and maternal-fetal attachment. Methods : A hundred and five high-risk pregnant women were recruited in the maternity ward of the Keimyung University medical center. All subjects were administered a sociodemographic and obstetric questionnaire, Temperament and Character Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory-II, State Trait Anxiety Inventory-State, and Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale. Results : First, higher scores on the harm-avoidance scale and lower scores on the self-directedness scale were associated with higher depression scores. Second, higher scores on the harm-avoidance and reward-dependence scale were associated with higher anxiety scores. Lastly, higher scores on the cooperativeness scale were associated with higher maternal-fetal attachment scores. Conclusion : Temperament and character in high-risk pregnant women were associated with the degree of depression, anxiety, maternal-fetal attachment. Based on these findings, it is suggested that examining temperament and character in advance and screening for vulnerability in pregnant women can help to prevent emotional problems for high-risk pregnant women.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.2 s.30
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• pp.167-177
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• 1990

The author investigated the values of total serum cholesterol and its coreelation with the physical factors to have potential as a line in the chain of basic investigation to establish maternal health program. The study group was composed of 167 healthy non-pregnant and 209 pregnant women in the age of 20-39 residing in Pusan area. The obtained results were as follows : 1. No significant differences were found in height and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both groups except for the elevation of Broca's index by gaining the weight in pregnant women. 2. There were significant differences in the total serum cholesterol level of the healthy and pregnant women as 165.9 mg/dl and 212.6 mg/dl, repectively, not showing the differences in the age. Total serum cholesterol values in both group followed approximately normal distribution curve. 3. The significant correlation to the values of total serum cholesterol were found between weight and Broca's index in healthy women and between weight, Broca's index and duration of pregnancy in pregnant women. 4. The values of total serum cholesterol by weight were 162.9-189.4 mg/dl in healthy women and 167.2-246.2 mg/dl in pregnant women, showing the increasing tendency of values by weight, especially in pregnant women. 5. The values of total serum cholesterol in pregnant women showed increasing tendency with the duration of pregnancy as 168.1 mg/dl in 12 weeks and below, 209.6 mg/dl in 13-26 weeks and 235.4 mg/dl in 27 weeks and above group. Total nm cholesterol values by duration of pregnancy followed normal distribution curve.