• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aroma inhalation therapy on stress, anxiety, depression, and an autonomic nervous system reaction in high-risk hospitalized pregnant women. Methods: A quasiexperimental study used a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. Fifty high-risk hospitalized pregnant women were selected as participants on delivery room and maternity ward at university hospital. Twenty-five were selected for the experimental group while 25 were assigned to a control group. Neroli essential oil was used for aroma therapy and was already identified as not being hazard to pregnant women. It provided emotional stability from previous study. The participants inhaled Neroli 2 minutes, 3 times (9 am to 10 am, 4 pm to 5 pm, just before sleep) a day. A total of 15 sessions were held from the day of the preliminary investigation. Pre and post written survey and measuring an autonomic nervous system reaction were collected from both groups. Results: The data were analyzed by $x^2$ test, t-test, and paired t-test. There was a statistically significant difference in stress (t=-3.98, p<.001) between the experimental group and the control group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that aroma inhalation therapy is effective as a nursing intervention for the stress relief of hospitalized high-risk pregnant women.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.346-357
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• 2020

Purpose: This descriptive phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experience and meaning of pregnant women's adaptation. Methods: Ten pregnant women from an ongoing Pregnant Couples' Cohort Study agreed to participate in this study. The data were collected through telephone in-depth interviews regarding what they experienced and felt about pregnancy adaptation. The qualitative data were analyzed using Giorgi's method of descriptive phenomenology. Results: Five core situation components were extracted from the raw data, along with 12 themes and 33 focal meanings. The five core situations were 1) first recognizing the pregnancy, 2) pregnancy-related changes, (3) the upcoming birth, 4) the postpartum period, and 5) parenting. The 12 themes were as follows: "anxiety, pressure, and embarrassment due to pregnancy," "efforts to adapt to physical changes," "efforts to adapt to the psychological difficulties of pregnancy," "efforts to adapt to the financial burden and role changes caused by pregnancy," "connecting with the fetus," "adapting to a new marital relationship centering on the baby," "the frustration of childbirth," "fear of childbirth," "postpartum care, need help with lactation planning," "parenting beyond what I imagined," "dad's willingness to participate in parenting," and "career disconnect and consideration of workplace needs." Conclusion: We identified that pregnant women experience adaptation in physical, psychological, relational, and social aspects. The thematic clusters identified can be used to develop nursing interventions to promote women's adaptation to pregnancy.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.337-347
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• 2021

Purpose: This study presents the development of a group video communication-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for depressed pregnant women. It also provides the results of a preliminary test of its effects on their depression, automatic thoughts, and dysfunctional attitudes. Methods: In this quasi-experimental single-group pre- and posttest design study, 13 pregnant women participated in a 4-week, eight-session group CBT program, based on Beck's cognitive theory and using video communications from November 2020 to January 2021. Pregnant women between 14 and 32 weeks who were members of an online maternity and parenting community and residing in the cities of Changwon and Gimhae, Korea, were invited to voluntarily participate. Trained nurses led CBT sessions of 3-4 participants per group via video communication. Participants were assessed pre- and postintervention with self-report questionnaires for measurement of depression, automatic thought, and dysfunctional attitude after normality test according to the Shapiro-Wilk test of the variables. The data were analyzed using paired t-test and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: Depression (t=7.90, p<.001), automatic thoughts (t=4.89, p<.001), and dysfunctional attitudes (t=2.42, p=.032) significantly decreased after the 4-week online program. There were statistically significant correlations among the three variables. Conclusion: This program was found to be effective in reducing depression, automatic thoughts, and dysfunctional attitudes. Above findings suggest that a group CBT program using video communication can be an effective therapeutic modality that helps pregnant women at risk for depression alleviate their negative emotions related to depression.

• 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.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.192-202
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the significance and insights derived from the experiences of pregnant women in Korea who participated in online prenatal education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study employed the hermeneutic phenomenology framework developed by Colaizzi. It involved 12 pregnant women who participated in online prenatal education provided by public health centers in Chuncheon, Korea. Data collection was achieved through in-depth interviews conducted in Korea from October 2021 to April 2022. Results: In total, 51 significant statements were extracted from the interview data and then categorized into 10 themes. Finally, three categories were formed by merging similar themes. The three basic categories of participants' experiences of online prenatal education were "feeling of safety and comfort in body and mind," "frustrated by a lack of interaction," and "digital education being a double-edged sword." Pregnant women expressed ambivalence regarding the benefits and drawbacks of the online educational experience. They desired more interactive and practical learning opportunities, even as they appreciated the comfort of learning remotely. Conclusion: This study revealed the phenomenon of online prenatal education as an advanced form of distance-based prenatal education instead of the traditional in-person classroom. To maximize the educational effectiveness of this new format, public health center policies must address the digital literacy gap and enhance accessibility by leveraging the immersive multimedia experiences that online education offers to pregnant women. We recommend that maternal healthcare providers adopt this innovative approach to prenatal education, utilizing distance education technology to improve participation and promote immersion.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.50-56
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• 2021

This study was done develop the factors that affect the quality of life among pregnant women supportive, stress and anxiety. This study was a descriptive survey of 117 pregnant women residing in two regions D and S. Before the questionnaire, the purpose and purpose of the study were explained and proceeded SPSS 21.0 was used for the data, frequency analysis, variance analysis, t-test, correlation analysis, and rare analysis. The data was collected from January to February 2020. The results of this study are as follows. The differences in quality of life of pregnant women according to general characteristics showed significant differences in sleep time, economic status, health status, activity status and pregnancy cycle. Variables affecting quality of life were social support (β= .432, p= .000), pregnancy stress (β=- .407, p= .000), anxiety (β=- .182, p= .010). If pregnant women experience pregnancy stress and anxiety, the quality of life may be degraded, so it is necessary to develop a health promotion program for pregnant women.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.117-127
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• 2023

The study is a qualitative study to understand the stress experience of pregnant women by exploring the vivid experiences of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic through a phenomenological approach. As for the study subjects, 12 pregnant women who were pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic were selected as subjects and in-depth interviews were conducted. Interviews with participants were conducted from June to October 2022, and data were analyzed through the Taguette program using the Colaizzi (1978) analysis method. As a result of the analysis, the category of experience was derived as 4 themes and 12 sub-topics. The main themes appeared as confusion due to inaccurate information, collapsed prenatal care, stress due to a controlled life, and body and mind adapting. It was confirmed that social support for the health of pregnant women and the establishment of a stable medical system need to be done overall. Further studies are needed to support this.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.134-142
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the scope of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of pregnant women about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Materials and Methods: A total of 886 pregnant women were recruited for the study. A cross-sectional questionnaire was conducted on these selected participants. Data about past infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), SARS-CoV-2 infection of closely related people, and deaths due to COVID-19 among their relatives were questioned. Results: The rate of vaccination was higher (64.1%) in pregnant women with higher education levels. Informing about the vaccine, especially by health professionals, showed that the rates of vaccination (25%) increased (p<0.001). In addition, a significant increase was observed in vaccination rates with increasing age and financial income (p<0.001). Conclusion: The main limitation of our study is that the vaccine, which was approved for "emergency use", was just started to be administered to pregnant women during the study. Our findings show that our target audience, low-income, low-education, younger pregnant women should be given more attention than those who apply to the doctor for routine follow-up.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.5-24
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• 1996

The Delivery Process can be viewed as one of the developmental crisis that forces the majority of women. During the labor and delivery process the women may face a variety of problems and pain with all its subjectivity. This developmental crisis may lead a pregnant women to have a negative experience in delivery. For nurses, to help to pregnant women check with the crisis and perceived support and to positive experience. This study intended to analyze the pregnant women's delivery experience according to supporter during labor. The subjects for this study were 45 pregnant women who had normal delivery without complications, within 37 to 42 weeks of pregnancy. Data Collection was done from April 24th to May 20th 1995 by two instruments, a support measurement scale and a delivery experience measurement scale which were consisted it 18-items scale developed by researcher. The data was analyzed by SPPS program using descriptive statistic Kruskal-Wallis one way analysis and Spearman Correlation Coefficient. The result of this study are as follows. 1. Support distribution by support contents is shown is order of holding the hands (97.8%), help to urination(86.7%), bed arrangement(57.8%), massaging the arms and legs(55.6%), changes in posture(44.4%), teaching how to produce power(44.4%), while emotional support is disclosed in order of sympathy(97.8%), encouragement(82.2%), hearing the needs(60.0%), However, information support was as low as less than 33.3%. 2. The extent of delivery experience a Pregnant woman perceives is revealed in order of a sense of comfortableness(44%), satisfaction(43.2%), reduction of fear(43.2%), familiarity (42.8%), self-confidence (42.5%), decrease of laborpain(39.9%). 3. The extent of delivery support a pregnant woman perceives reveals that physical support($x^2$=22.4452, P=.000) and information support($x^2$=7.5187, P=.0233) Show a significant difference among the mothers group, the mothers-in-law group, the husbands group, but to significant difference was found in emotional support among them. 4. The extent of delivery experience a pregnant woman perceives represents a significant difference in order of the mothers group, the mothers in-law group, and the husbands group($x^2$=13.4255, P=.0012). 5. A positive correlation was manifested between the extent of support and delivery experience a pregnant woman perceives(r=.8643, P=.000). This information can be utilized as data to further the understanding delivery experience according to supporter. In Consequence, it is recommended that the range of family support limited to husband should be expended including mother and mother-in-law.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.25-30
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• 1982

The present study was carried out to investigate the relationship between the patients with toxemia of pregnancy and sodium, potassium and chlorine content in their blood serum and the intake diet. The author analyzed or titrated the concentration of serum and diet electrolytes for the antenatal and gynecologic inpatients (19 normal and 17 toxemic pregnant women ranged 23 to 32 years old) of the Han gang sacred Heart Hospital in Seoul and also determined their daily salt intake. The results obtained can be summarized as follows. 1. In the patients with toxemia of pregnancy mean sodium concentration in serum $(147.2{\pm}11.0mEq/L\;(338.5mg/dl)$ was greater than that of normal pregnant women (140 mEq/L corresponding to 322mg/dl) 2. In the toxemic pregnant women serum chlorine level (mean $113.4{\pm}5.6 mEq/L$ corresponding to 402.5mg/dl) showed the increase of 9.9 mEq /L(36.9 mg/dl) when compared to mean value of normal pregnant women(103.5mEq/L corresponding to 365.6mg/dl). 3. Mean potassium content in pregnant women with toxemia($4.59{\pm}0.7mEq/L$ corresponding to 17.9mg/dl) was similar to that of normal pregnant women(4.2mEq/L corresponding to 16.3mg/dl). 4. It was found that the salt content detected in the diet of toxemic pregnant women (mean $20.84{\pm}2.1g/day$) was greater than daily mean salt intake of normal pregnant women (19g).