Studies have shown that pregnant women do understand and value information of their unborn child. However, those providing health promotion services often focus on medical procedures and health education messages, ignoring the cultural, socio-economic and psychological dimensions that impact on women's health. This research aimed to look at a specific component of health promotion, i.e. health promotion messages shared with pregnant women attending Stellenbosch and Klapmuts Community Health Centre Antenatal Health Promotion Programme and their perceptions of how they apply messages in their daily lives.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol inst., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Based on a Ph. D Thesis--Glasgow University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references and index.

Thesis (M.Sc (Clinical Pathology))--Mahidol University, 1982.

Based on a Ph. D Thesis--Glasgow University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references and index.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1994.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1994.

Based on a Ph. D Thesis--Glasgow University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references and index.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:45:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5293.pdf: 1224941 bytes, checksum: 60eb52fcf158346971bc94106b6cb554 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-10 / The usage of popular practices in order to either the treatment or prevention of both diseases and symptoms is very common along pregnancy, because of various maternal adaptations, frequent symptoms and requirement of special care. These popular practices are often regarded as healthy, beneficial and safe because they are "natural", however many plants are contraindicated because they may have toxic, teratogenic and abortifacient potential. The objective of study was to identify which popular practices (medicinal plants, homemade recipes and specific foods) are used by pregnant women at high risk for treatment and prevention of diseases or symptoms; to know the therapeutics indications; to check whether the information regarding these practices are cited sustention in technical literature, and if there are any contraindications throughout pregnancy. This is an clinical, cross-sectional and descriptive study done with 78 pregnant women who received medical and nutritional consultation on a clinic for high-risk cases at Maternity Santa Casa in São Carlos, within the period of April to July of 2012; these patients were interviewed based on a structured script, after the approval of the Ethics Committee and consent of the interviewees. For data analysis, it was used both simple descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The results showed these pregnant women, in average, were 28.5 year-olds, and with 26.9 gestational weeks, which most of them were housewives, with family support; white, coming from the southeast; with 7 to 11 years of school; per capita income ½ to 1 minimum wage and evangelical religion. Independently of age, gestational age, ethnic groups, religion, education, income and region of origin, the pregnant women use the popular practices. From all the interviewed pregnant women, 64.10% confirmed the usage of some type of popular practice, related to symptoms of heartburn, flu, nausea, constipation, anxiety, diabetes, hypertension, cramps and others. Among the main popular practices used by the interviewed pregnant women, those with therapeutic indications are compatible with those described in the literature, except in the case of banana which effect over a cramp has not been scientifically proved. However, in many cases, their usage by pregnant women is contraindicated due to the teratogenic, abortive or toxic effects, such as in the cases of Boldo tea (Peumus boldus, Plectranthus barbatus), ginger (in high doses) (Zingiber officinale), immature papaya (Carica papaya), chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita), erva-cidreira tea (Melissa officinalis, Lippia alba, Cymbolponcitratus) and Melão-de-São-Caetano tea (Momordica charantia). To conclude, data about medicinal plants safety during pregnancy are scarce and often contradictory. More studies and researches are necessary about medicinal plants and popular practices done with teas, and not with plant extract, because this suggests that the quantities are excessively higher than those that would be consumed in teas. In the presence of any evidence suggesting risks for pregnancy, the usage of such plants should be avoided. The divulgation of results of this study should be done dialogically between health workers and users, so do not confront rather than ignore their cultural and popular knowledge, but that promotes reflection on their use of data obtained from the literature. / A utilização de práticas populares para tratamento ou prevenção de doenças ou sintomas é muito comum no período gestacional, em função das diversas adaptações maternas, sintomas frequentes e exigência de cuidados especiais. Essas práticas populares, muitas vezes são consideradas como saudáveis, benéficas e seguras, por serem naturais , porém muitas plantas são contraindicadas por possuírem potencial tóxico, teratogênico e abortivo. Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar quais as práticas populares (plantas medicinais, receitas caseiras e alimentos específicos) utilizadas pelas gestantes de alto risco para tratamento e prevenção de doenças ou sintomas; conhecer as indicações terapêuticas; verificar se essas práticas da cultura popular são sustentadas pela literatura, e se há contraindicações no período gestacional. Trata-se de estudo clínico, transversal, descritivo realizado com 78 gestantes atendidas no ambulatório de alto risco da Maternidade Santa Casa de São Carlos, no período de abril a julho de 2012, entrevistadas mediante roteiro estruturado, após a aprovação do Comitê de Ética e consentimento das entrevistadas. Para análise dos dados, foi utilizada estatística descritiva simples e testes qui-quadrado. Os resultados mostraram que as gestantes tinham média de 28,5 anos de idade, e 26,9 semanas gestacionais; sendo a maioria do lar, com apoio familiar; branca; proveniente do sudeste; com 7 a 11 anos de estudo; renda per capita de ½ a 1 salário mínimo e religião evangélica. Independentemente da idade, idade gestacional, etnia, religião, escolaridade, renda per capita e região de origem, as gestantes utilizam as práticas populares. Das gestantes entrevistadas 64,1% referiram utilizar algum tipo de prática popular, sendo relacionadas aos sintomas de pirose, gripe, náusea, constipação intestinal, ansiedade, diabetes, hipertensão arterial, cãibra e outros. Entre as principais práticas populares utilizadas pelas gestantes entrevistadas, as indicações terapêuticas são compatíveis com as encontradas na literatura, exceto no caso da banana, cujo efeito para cãibra não foi comprovado cientificamente; porém em muitos casos, a utilização na população específica de gestante, é contraindicada, devido ao efeito teratogênico, abortivo ou tóxico, como nos casos de chá de boldo (Peumus boldus, Plectranthus barbatus), gengibre em altas doses (Zingiber officinale), mamão imaturo (Carica papaya), chá de camomila (Matricaria recutita), chá de erva cidreira (Melissa officinalis, Lippia alba, Cymbolponcitratus) e chá de Melão-de-São-Caetano (Momordica charantia). Conclui-se que dados existentes a respeito da segurança de uso das plantas medicinais e práticas populares durante a gravidez são escassos e muitas vezes contraditórios. Há necessidade de mais estudos e pesquisas sobre plantas medicinais e práticas populares realizadas com chás, e não com extrato da planta, pois este sugere que as quantidades são excessivamente maiores do que aquelas que seriam consumidas em chás. Na presença de qualquer indício que sugira riscos para a gestação, a utilização de tais plantas deve ser evitada. A divulgação dos resultados deste estudo deve ser feita de maneira dialógica, entre trabalhadores de saúde e usuários, de forma que não confronte e não ignore seus saberes culturais e populares, mas que promova a reflexão sobre seu uso, a partir dos dados obtidos pela literatura.

Overview: Pregnant women living with obesity are at increased risk of pregnancy complications, with risks rising as Body Mass Index (BMI) increases. Midwives are willing to support women with managing their gestational weight gain but lack confidence and access to supporting resources. In the UK there are no interventions that aim to change the intention and behaviour of midwives, to support women with managing their gestational weight gain. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) (Ajzen, 1985) was utilised to frame the design of a behaviour change intervention for midwives. This three-phase study conducted a qualitative needs assessment, intervention design, and a quantitative study of, intervention testing. Methods: Phase One: Interview data were thematically analysed and the TPB utilised to elicit participants’ salient beliefs, to inform intervention design. Phase Two: The design of the intervention, and the TPB scale, were informed by Phase One data. Midwives reviewed the intervention and participated in a pilot test of the scale. Phase Three: The intervention was tested in a before-and-after controlled trial, utilising the refined TPB scale. Results: Phase One: 4 key themes emerged: 1)The current state of affairs 2) Perspectives on an intervention: what may work 3) Influences on uptake and successful weight control 4) Taking things forward. Phase Two: An intervention to facilitate the involvement of community midwives in supporting weight management for pregnant women living with obesity; a booklet about weight management in pregnancy; and a TPB scale were designed. Recommendations from midwives were integrated into the final intervention resource, and pilot testing of the scale led to refinement for use in phase 3. Phase Three: Midwives in the intervention group increased their intention to offer weight management support to pregnant women living with obesity. Furthermore, midwives in the intervention group increased actual weight management support for pregnant women living with obesity, after participating in the intervention. Conclusions: This study made a unique contribution to new knowledge by developing and testing a novel intervention that was underpinned by health psychology theory, which increased the intention and behaviour of community midwives to support pregnant women living with obesity, with managing their gestational weight gain.