Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2010. / Title from title screen (site viewed May 18, 2010). PDF text: v, 101 p. : ill. Publication: Open Access Theses and Dissertations from the College of Education and Human Sciences. Includes bibliographical references.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / The preconception care for women with Pregestational Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is recognized for its benefits to the woman and the fetus in several countries, and must be guaranteed as a strategy to reduce maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality. We aimed to analyze the preconception care for women with pregestational DM assisted at SUS, aiming to describe the specific route of pregnant women with DM in the SUS health system in Fortaleza, know the clinical and reproductive profile, check the care received in preconception and identify the knowledge regarding maternal and fetal risks. Descriptive and exploratory qualitative study carried out in four reference units for high-risk pregnancies that compose the SUS-Fortaleza, CearÃ, Brazil. Data were collected from April to September 2012, involving 41 pregnant women with pregestational DM. We used the triangulation techniques of data collection: interviews, free observation with field notes and revision of the motherâs card and/or of the medical record. The data were organized in tables and received descriptive statistical treatment; the information learned in the field notes complemented the discussion of results. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal do CearÃ, according to Protocol number 90/12 and one met the recommendations of Resolution 196/96. The average age of the group corresponded to 30.3  5.3, age of risk for developing DM type 2, the average of education level was 9.4  3.3 years, facilitator aspect for the practice of contraceptive care by women, 76.7% did not plan the current pregnancy, 26.7% were unaware of their type of DM. The prevalent time of diagnosis of DM was up to 10 years, comorbidities were reported by 33.4% of pregnant women; 56.7% of the respondents had between two and four pregnancies, with parity not over four births. The history of miscarriage and stillbirth was expected among women with pre-gestational DM who did not adopt preconceptional care and was present in 40%. About the preconception care needed for this group, the Ministry of Health recommends: glycemic control, replacement of oral hypoglycemic for insulin, control of comorbidities, monitoring of A1C, guidance on hypoglycemia and use of folic acid. Among these, the use of folic acid was being practiced by 10% of pregnant women and glucose monitoring for 6.6% of respondents. Out of these, 10% were receiving the necessary inputs to self-monitoring, when 100% should have it to recognize the best time to gestate. Regarding knowledge about maternal and fetal risks, 60% reported having gotten it in the current pregnancy. We suggest the managers of local public policies to restructure the municipal health system regarding the prenatal care of high-risk and to rescue the preconception attention in primary care. / O cuidado prÃ-concepcional de mulheres com Diabetes Mellitus (DM) prÃ-gestacional à reconhecido pelos benefÃcios à mulher e ao concepto em vÃrios paÃses, devendo ser garantido como estratÃgia para reduÃÃo da morbidade e mortalidade materno-fetal. Objetivamos analisar a atenÃÃo prÃ-concepcional de mulheres com DM prÃ-gestacional assistidas no Sistema Ãnico de SaÃde (SUS), tendo como objetivos especÃficos descrever o percurso de gestantes com DM na rede de saÃde do SUS-Fortaleza, conhecer o perfil clÃnico e reprodutivo, verificar os cuidados recebidos na prÃ-concepÃÃo e identificar o conhecimento quanto aos riscos maternos e fetais. Estudo descritivo e exploratÃrio qualitativo, realizado em quatro unidades de referÃncia para gestaÃÃo de alto risco que compÃe o SUS-Fortaleza, CearÃ, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados de abril a setembro de 2012, envolvendo 41 gestantes com DM prÃ-gestacional. Utilizamos a triangulaÃÃo de tÃcnicas de coleta de dados: entrevista, observaÃÃo livre com anotaÃÃes de campo e revisÃo do cartÃo da gestante e/ou do prontuÃrio. Os dados foram organizados em tabelas e receberem tratamento estatÃstico descritivo; as informaÃÃes apreendidas nas anotaÃÃes de campo complementaram a discussÃo dos resultados. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comità de Ãtica em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do CearÃ, conforme protocolo n 90/12 e foram atendidas as recomendaÃÃes da ResoluÃÃo 196/96. A mÃdia da idade do grupo correspondeu a 30,35,3, faixa etÃria de risco para o desenvolvimento do DM tipo 2; a mÃdia da escolaridade foi de 9,4Â3,3anos, aspecto facilitador a prÃtica dos cuidados prÃ-concepcionais pelas mulheres, 76,7% nÃo planejaram a gestaÃÃo atual; 26,7% desconheciam o tipo de DM. Predominou o tempo de diagnÃstico do DM atà 10 anos, as comorbidades foram referidas por 33,4% das gestantes; 56,7% das entrevistadas tinham entre duas e quatro gestaÃÃes, com paridade nÃo superior a quatro partos. O histÃrico de aborto e natimorto foi previsto entre mulheres com DM prÃ-gestacional que nÃo adotaram cuidados prÃ-concepcionais e estava presente em 40%. Sobre os cuidados prÃ-concepcionais necessÃrios a este grupo, o MinistÃrio da SaÃde preconiza: controle glicÃmico, substituiÃÃo do hipoglicemiante oral por insulina, controle das comorbidades, acompanhamento da A1C, orientaÃÃo sobre hipoglicemia e uso de Ãcido fÃlico. Entre estes, o uso de Ãcido fÃlico estava sendo praticado por 10% das gestantes e o monitoramento glicÃmico por 6,6% das entrevistadas. Destas, 10% recebiam os insumos necessÃrios ao auto monitoramento, quando 100% deveriam possuir para o reconhecimento do melhor momento de gestar. Quanto ao conhecimento sobre os riscos maternos e fetais, 60% referiu tÃ-lo adquirido na gestaÃÃo atual. Sugerimos aos gestores das polÃticas pÃblicas locais a reestruturaÃÃo da rede municipal de saÃde no que concerne à assistÃncia prÃ-natal de alto risco e ao resgate da atenÃÃo prÃ-concepcional pela atenÃÃo bÃsica.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Illinois State University, 2004. / Title from title page screen, viewed November 17, 2005. Dissertation Committee: Dent Rhodes (chair), Kenneth Jerich, Cheri Toledo, Denise Charron-Prochownik. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-105) and abstract. Also available in print.

Introdução: O planejamento da gravidez é condição indispensável para a realização do preparo pré-concepcional. No entanto, nem todas as mulheres que planejam a gravidez tomam medidas para melhorar sua saúde durante o período pré-concepcional. Os escassos estudos conduzidos no Brasil não elucidam as razões pelas quais isso ocorre nem tampouco identificam quais são as medidas adotadas entre aquelas que o realizam. Objetivos: Descrever a realização do preparo pré-concepcional entre mulheres com gravidez planejada; analisar os determinantes da realização do preparo pré-concepcional nesse grupo; e descrever as razões pelas quais as mulheres com gravidez planejada não realizaram o preparo pré-concepcional. Método: Estudo observacional do tipo transversal. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com 264 mulheres cuja gravidez em curso ou que ocorreu nos últimos cinco anos tenha sido classificada como planejada, em 2015. O cenário do estudo foram dois centros de saúde escola da cidade de São Paulo. A análise dos dados foi realizada no Stata 13.0, por meio de regressão logística univariada e múltipla. Resultados: Dentre as mulheres com gravidez planejada, mais da metade realizou o preparo pré-concepcional (62,1%). As medidas mais realizadas foram a procura por serviço de saúde, o uso de vitaminas e minerais e a realização de exames. Dentre as que não realizaram nenhuma medida de saúde para preparar-se para engravidar (37,9%), as razões mais citadas foram nunca ter ouvido falar sobre esse preparo e não conhecer serviços que oferecessem ações de preparo pré-concepcional. Mulheres de mais alta escolaridade, dos grupos econômicos A e B, mais velhas e com quadro de infertilidade foram as que tiveram mais chance de realizar o preparo pré-concepcional. Conclusão: Os resultados confirmaram que nem todas as mulheres com gravidez planejada realizaram o preparo pré-concepcional, tendo sido o desconhecimento sobre o mesmo e sobre os serviços que o ofertam a principal razão para tal. Por sua vez, as mulheres que realizaram o preparo pré-concepcional foram aquelas que reuniram perfis sociais mais favoráveis, como alta renda e escolaridade, o que revela sua determinação social. Experiência de infertilidade também foi determinante para sua realização, o que já era esperado. Por conta de sua importância nas condições de saúde materna e neonatal, o preparo pré-concepcional deve fazer parte das práticas cotidianas dos serviços de atenção básica no país. / Introduction: The planning for pregnancy is an indispensable condition for pre-conception preparation. However, even among women who plan pregnancy, only some of them take measures to improve their health during the preconception period. The few studies conducted in Brazil do not clarify the reasons why this occurs, nor identify the measures taken by those who perform it. Objective: To describe the realization of preconceptional preparation among women with planned pregnancy; to analyze the determinants of preconception preparation in this group; and to describe the reasons women with planned pregnancies did not perform the preconception preparation. Method: Observational cross-sectional study. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 264 women whose ongoing pregnancy or that had occured in the last five years has been classified as planned, in 2015. The scenarios of the study were two health center schools of São Paulo. Data analysis was performed using Stata 13.0, with univariate and multiple logistic regressions. Results: Among women who planned pregnancy, more than half reported a pre-conception preparation (62,1%).The most used practices were the seek of medical care, the use of vitamins and minerals and the realization of exams. Among women who did not perform any health preparation for pregnancy (37.9%), the most cited reasons were unknowledge of preconception care and of the types of health services offering preconception preparation actions. Women from a group with higher education and higher income (A and B), older and with an infertility background were the ones most likely to perform preconception preparation. Conclusion: The results confirmed that not every woman with planned pregnancies performed preconception preparation. The main reason for that is the lack of knowledge about it and about the servicesoffered. On the other hand, women who perform preconception preparation were those with more favorable social conditions. Infertility experience was also decisive for its realization, as was expected. Because of its importance in maternal and neonatal health, the preconception preparation should be part of the daily practices of primary care services in the country.

Introdução: O planejamento da gravidez é condição indispensável para a realização do preparo pré-concepcional. No entanto, nem todas as mulheres que planejam a gravidez tomam medidas para melhorar sua saúde durante o período pré-concepcional. Os escassos estudos conduzidos no Brasil não elucidam as razões pelas quais isso ocorre nem tampouco identificam quais são as medidas adotadas entre aquelas que o realizam. Objetivos: Descrever a realização do preparo pré-concepcional entre mulheres com gravidez planejada; analisar os determinantes da realização do preparo pré-concepcional nesse grupo; e descrever as razões pelas quais as mulheres com gravidez planejada não realizaram o preparo pré-concepcional. Método: Estudo observacional do tipo transversal. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com 264 mulheres cuja gravidez em curso ou que ocorreu nos últimos cinco anos tenha sido classificada como planejada, em 2015. O cenário do estudo foram dois centros de saúde escola da cidade de São Paulo. A análise dos dados foi realizada no Stata 13.0, por meio de regressão logística univariada e múltipla. Resultados: Dentre as mulheres com gravidez planejada, mais da metade realizou o preparo pré-concepcional (62,1%). As medidas mais realizadas foram a procura por serviço de saúde, o uso de vitaminas e minerais e a realização de exames. Dentre as que não realizaram nenhuma medida de saúde para preparar-se para engravidar (37,9%), as razões mais citadas foram nunca ter ouvido falar sobre esse preparo e não conhecer serviços que oferecessem ações de preparo pré-concepcional. Mulheres de mais alta escolaridade, dos grupos econômicos A e B, mais velhas e com quadro de infertilidade foram as que tiveram mais chance de realizar o preparo pré-concepcional. Conclusão: Os resultados confirmaram que nem todas as mulheres com gravidez planejada realizaram o preparo pré-concepcional, tendo sido o desconhecimento sobre o mesmo e sobre os serviços que o ofertam a principal razão para tal. Por sua vez, as mulheres que realizaram o preparo pré-concepcional foram aquelas que reuniram perfis sociais mais favoráveis, como alta renda e escolaridade, o que revela sua determinação social. Experiência de infertilidade também foi determinante para sua realização, o que já era esperado. Por conta de sua importância nas condições de saúde materna e neonatal, o preparo pré-concepcional deve fazer parte das práticas cotidianas dos serviços de atenção básica no país. / Introduction: The planning for pregnancy is an indispensable condition for pre-conception preparation. However, even among women who plan pregnancy, only some of them take measures to improve their health during the preconception period. The few studies conducted in Brazil do not clarify the reasons why this occurs, nor identify the measures taken by those who perform it. Objective: To describe the realization of preconceptional preparation among women with planned pregnancy; to analyze the determinants of preconception preparation in this group; and to describe the reasons women with planned pregnancies did not perform the preconception preparation. Method: Observational cross-sectional study. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 264 women whose ongoing pregnancy or that had occured in the last five years has been classified as planned, in 2015. The scenarios of the study were two health center schools of São Paulo. Data analysis was performed using Stata 13.0, with univariate and multiple logistic regressions. Results: Among women who planned pregnancy, more than half reported a pre-conception preparation (62,1%).The most used practices were the seek of medical care, the use of vitamins and minerals and the realization of exams. Among women who did not perform any health preparation for pregnancy (37.9%), the most cited reasons were unknowledge of preconception care and of the types of health services offering preconception preparation actions. Women from a group with higher education and higher income (A and B), older and with an infertility background were the ones most likely to perform preconception preparation. Conclusion: The results confirmed that not every woman with planned pregnancies performed preconception preparation. The main reason for that is the lack of knowledge about it and about the servicesoffered. On the other hand, women who perform preconception preparation were those with more favorable social conditions. Infertility experience was also decisive for its realization, as was expected. Because of its importance in maternal and neonatal health, the preconception preparation should be part of the daily practices of primary care services in the country.

Despite an initiative to provide preconception care (PCC) and reproductive life planning (RLP) for all women of childbearing age, many women, especially those with low incomes, are not receiving it. As a result, there continues to be a high rate of infant morbidity and mortality in this population. Furthermore, low income adolescent females have not been adequately studied regarding this phenomenon. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore low income adolescent females' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about PCC and RLP in order to serve them more effectively. Five low income adolescent females, aged 18 to 21, were recruited through criterion sampling and they each engaged in 2 individual in-depth interviews. The health belief model, social cognitive theory, and adolescent affective and cognitive theory were the conceptual frameworks used to develop the interview guide, conduct the interviews, analyze the data, and formulate the recommendations for future studies. Moustakas's phenomenological interview process was used as a guiding framework to prepare and conduct the interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed using Moustakas's modified version of the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method of analysis. Findings were that participants (a) had no experiences with PCC or RLP, (b) lacked knowledge about preparing for pregnancy, (c) had negative interactions with medical personnel, and (d) wanted more information about PCC and RLP. Further research is recommended to examine current PCC/RLP practices, conduct additional PCC studies of adolescents, and develop culturally- and age-appropriate PCC programs. Findings from these studies could improve both the lives of the adolescents and the health of their offspring.

The birth of low weight babies in the United States has not had a meaningful decline for the last 10 years.It continues to be a major predictor of fetal-infant mortality. In addition, the rate of low birth weight infants among African American women continues to be twice that of European American women. Low birth weight babies may experience breathing problems, vision problems, diabetes, hypertension, and cerebral palsy. The purpose of this study was to examine why the high infant mortality rate persist among the African American communities of Southeast Queens, New York City as compared to European American communities in the Borough of Queens, New York City.This was a quantitative retrospective study with a correlational design that utilized secondary data derived from vital records maintained by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The investigation was guided by the ecological model as the theoretical framework to collect, assess, and analyze the data. Logistic regression was used to predict the association of risk factors to infant mortality. Low birth weight, preterm birth, late or no prenatal care, and smoking during pregnancy were risk factors associated with a high mortality rate among African American women. Positive social change implications for this study include the development of a social intervention that will be culturally based for the diverse communities of Southeast Queens, New York City. There will be a collaborative effort in implementing the evidence-based interventions involving interested stakeholders.

The study was done to assess the information and care the men and women have on PCC and develop strategies that could improve provision of PCC that could advance maternal and newborn outcome after pregnancy in Malawi. Most for the interventions to improve pregnancy outcome are done too late in Malawi but there is an opportunity during preconception period to plan to improve the health of the couple so that the goal of a healthy mother and baby is attained. The objectives were to: explore and describe the knowledge men and women of childbearing age have on HTSP and PCC, identify variables that influence men and women to acquire appropriate knowledge on PCC and finally to develop strategies that could assist provision of PCC in developing countries like Malawi. Adverse issues that affect the couples could be addressed promptly before the occurrence of pregnancy. A quantitative non-experimental descriptive-correlation design method was used to determine the knowledge men and women of childbearing have on HTSP and PCC. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 300 men and women of childbearing age. The target population for the study was prospective parents that are couples that have an intention to conceive, women of childbearing age that could be accessible at family planning, gyneacological and under-five clinics between the ages of 18-35 years. A questionnaire was adapted from a study conducted in Texas. SPSS version 20 was used to analyse the data by generating frequencies and chi- square. Kruskal Wallis test was used to determine relationship between variables and knowledge on preconception care. The constructs examined were psychological preparation, reproductive health care and the physical care that are provided to ensure a healthy pregnancy outcome. With a 100% response rate the findings indicated a gap of information and care on PCC.Services on PCC were not available in the clinics which indicated a great need to empower health care providers on PCC that could reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rate. The findings were used to develop relevant preconception strategies that would assist health providers to give PCC that would improve maternal and newborn outcomes in Malawi. / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Background: Preconception care (PCC) is highly recommended evidence-based intervention to optimize women’s health in particular and in so doing reduce the incidences of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). PCC targets modification of risk factors to APO occurring before and just at early weeks of conception. Nevertheless, in Ethiopia, the need to implement PCC as part of the continuums of the comprehensive Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Care services is not yet studied. Purpose/Aim of the study: This study aimed to develop a guideline to assist the incorporation of PCC in Ethiopian health system thereby reduce the highly incident APOs in the country, which is the purpose of the study. Methodology: This study applied the explanatory sequential mixed method to determine the determinants to the non-implementation PCC in Ethiopia. In addition, a policy document analysis was conducted to identify the existence of policy guiding the implementation of PCC in Ethiopia. Finally, the study applied a Delphi technique to increase the utility and acceptance of the guideline developed. The study was guided by a theory based framework called a Framework for Determinants of Innovation Processes (FDOIP). RESULT: Nearly all (84.7%) of the healthcare providers (HCPs) never ever practiced PCC. Even among those who ever practiced, the majority (74%), practiced it poorly. More than two third (68.6%) had poor PCC knowledge. HCP’s with good PCC knowledge had likely hood of practicing PCC by four times greater than those with poor PCC knowledge (AOR=4.4, 95% CI: 2.5-7.6). The policy document analysis identified the absence of policy guiding the practice of PCC in Ethiopia. The HCP’s curriculums also didn’t include PCC. The determinants to non-implementation of PCC, as perceived by the qualitative study participants include absence of national PCC policy , absence of PCC guideline, lack of institutional PCC plan, presence of other competing demand, lack of laboratory facilities and setup, lack of accountable body, absence of Individual or organization introduced PCC to the country, absence of trained manpower on PCC, absence of known expert in PCC, Poor public awareness about preconception health and PCC, Unplanned Pregnancy and poor health seeking behaviour. CONCLUSION The study revealed the absence of a standard and complete PCC practices by the HCPs. Nearly all HCPs never ever implement PCC. Even those very few practitioners were found practicing PCC poorly that is in a substandard, incidental, and in an inconsistent way. There is no formal policy document guiding the implementation of in Ethiopia. The HCPs training curriculum didn’t include PCC. The guideline developed base on the study findings of the study recommended to incorporating PCC in Ethiopia health system. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)