Effects of Antenatal Depression and Antenatal Characteristics of Pregnant Women on Birth Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the effects of antenatal depression on birth outcomes. METHODS: The participants were 255 pregnant women who were followed in a prospective study. Of these, 197 cases were examined included birth weight, Apgar scores at 5 minute, premature contraction, complication of labor, delivery types and laboratory data. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Chi square test of linear by linear association, Kruskal Wallis test, Relative Risk, univariate and adjusted multiple logistic regression were used for data analysis with SPSS/Win. RESULTS: Level of antenatal depression was associated with low birth weight (chi2=7.69, p=.010). High risk pregnancy was a predictor of low birth weight (OR=6.98 [1.21-40.30]) and baby's weight (OR=2.12, [1.05-4.28]). Prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) was a predictor of complications in labor (OR=3.59, [1.03-12.48]). But there were no significant effects of antenatal depression on other birth outcomes. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that women with antenatal depression, high risk pregnancy, prepregnancy BMI> or =23 kg/M2 should be monitored and managed to ensure favorable birth outcomes.

Evaluation and Application of the Korean Version of the Sexuality Attitudes and Beliefs Survey for Nurses

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Sexuality Attitudes and Beliefs Survey (SABS) and to assess SABS for Korean nurses. METHODS: The Korean version of SABS was developed through forward-backward translation techniques. Internal consistency reliability and construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis were conducted using PASW+ PC Win (18.0) and AMOS (18.0). Data were collected from 567 nurses who worked in one of six general hospitals across the country. RESULTS: The Korean version of SABS showed a reliable internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha of subscales ranging from .59 to .73. Factor loadings of the 10 items of three subscales ranged from .38 to .83. The three subscales model were validated by confirmatory factor analysis (GFI>.97, RMSEA<.05). Sexuality attitudes and beliefs for Korean nurses were more negative than that of European or American nurses. The SABS scores for Korean nurses were significantly different according to age, marriage, education, clinical experiences, and feeling about sexuality. CONCLUSION: The Korean version of SABS has satisfactory construct validity and reliability to measure Korean nurses' attitudes and belief toward sexuality. Education is essential to enhance importance and self-efficacy and to relieve barriers to addressing patients' sexuality.

Influencing Factors on Antenatal Depression / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study examined the influencing factors on antenatal depression among pregnant women. METHODS: This was a cross sectional descriptive study with 255 pregnant women who visited a general hospital in a metropolitan city for their regularly scheduled check-up. Measurement tools employed were the Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the food habits, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Socio-demographic variables and the status of high risk pregnancy were identified. Influencing factors on antenatal depression were identified using a stepwise multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean score of antenatal depression was 7.2 +/- 5.0; 18.4% with mild depression, 5.9% had moderate depression, with 0.8% identified with severe depression on BDI scale. Influencing factors on antenatal depression accounted for 47.8% of the total variance which consisted of quality of sleep, marital satisfaction, food habits, gestation periods, sexual satisfaction, high risk pregnancy, and age. CONCLUSION: Findings show that antenatal depression should be monitored on a regular basis during early pregnancy and in high risk pregnancy if possible, and quality of sleep and food habits should be incorporated in the management of antenatal depression.

Relating Factors in Pap Smears by Stages of Change among Married Nurses / 여성건강간호학회지

This study was to examine the differences in health belief variables and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) knowledge in Pap smears according to the stages of change using Trans-theoretical Model (TTM) among married nurses. METHODS: The research design was a cross sectional survey. Participants were 387 married nurses working in general hospital located metropolitan city. Measurement variables were perceived threatening, perceived severity, benefits of Pap, HPV knowledge and stages of the change in Pap smear. RESULTS: Classified stages were pre-contemplation 3.9%, contemplation 17.8%, relapsing 29.5%, action 31.0%, and maintenance 17.8%. Accuracy rate of HPV knowledge were low ranging from 15% to 45%. Among the variables, perceived threatening (F=3.56, p=.007), perceived severity (F=9.73, p<.001) and HPV knowledge (F=7.52, p<.001) were significantly different by stages of change. CONCLUSION: Application of TTM to Pap smears was efficient to know the nurse's level of health behaviors, Health belief variables and HPV knowledge were main factors to identify the stages of change. The continuation of Pap smears and the education in relation to HPV knowledge should be encouraged for married nurses.

Development and Application of a Feeding Program for Infants Postoperatively following Cardiac Surgery

PURPOSE: Despite recent advances in the surgical and postoperative management of infants with congenital heart disease, nutritional support for this population is often suboptimal. The purpose of this study was to develop a nutritional program for the postoperative period for infants who have had cardiac surgery and to evaluate effects of the program. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest measures was used. A newly developed nutritional program including a feeding protocol and feeding flow was provided to the study group (n=19) and usual feeding care to the control group (n=19). The effects of the feeding program were analyzed in terms of total feed intake, total calorie intake, gastric residual volume, and frequency of diarrhea. RESULTS: Calorie intake and feeding amount in the study group were significantly increased compared to the control group. However, the two groups showed no significant differences in gastric residual volume and frequency of diarrhea. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the nutritional program used in the study is an effective nursing intervention program in increasing feeding amount and calorie intake in infants postoperative to cardiac surgery and does not cause feeding-related complications.

A Study on the Preliminary Validation of a Postoperative Pain Measure for Parents for Children's Pain Assessment after Surgery / 간호학회지

Parents are primary care taker for the children and have an important role for the assessment and managent of children's pain following surgery. The purpose of the present study was to examine the validity and clinical utilization of the Postoperative Pain Measure for Parents (PPMP) developed by Chambers et al. Subjects were 52 children aged 4-12 years admitted for tonsillectomy and other minor surgery and their mothers. Faces Pain Scale, State Anxiety, and Postoperative Pain Measure for Parents were used. The data were collected by two research assistant on the operation day and 1st day after surgery at hospital during the period of July 20 to August 28, 1998. The results are as follows: 1. Eta correlation coefficient between 15 items of PPMP and child rated pain were calculated. Correlation coefficients were more than .2 for both day. 2. Internal consistency for PPMP were .82 and .83. 3. The scores of the PPMP were 10.73 (SD=3.71) and 9.27(SD=4.07) on the operation day and 1st day after surgery and there was no significant difference between two days(p=.056) On the other hand, there was a significant difference on the child rated pain by Faces Pain Scale between operation day and 1st day after surgery(p=.001). 4. The correlation(Spearman Rho) between PPMP and child rated pain were .40(p=.003) and .56(p=.000). The score of the PPMP and the children's state anxiety were highly correlated on the operation day and 1st day after surgery (.60, .52, p=.000). 5. Partial correlation between PPMP and child rated pain except state anxiety were .18(p=.23) and .48(p=.001) on the opration day and 1st day after surgery. 6. Using a cut-off score 10 out of 15, the measure showed excellent sensitivity (>80%) and moderate specificity (46.15%, 60% ). This study provides preliminary evidence for the use of the PPMP as a valid pain assessment tool with children between the ages of 4-12 years following surgery. It is suggested to explore the validity with a different subjects with other surgery and to examine the validity for infant and younger children.

A Study on the Effects of EMR on Nursing Documentation / 대한의료정보학회지

To improve the quality of nursing care, we developed and evaluated a Electronic Medical Record (EMR) program designed to maximize productivity and efficiency in our nursing documentation system. Five computerized documentation forms, the clinical observation record, medication, nursing treatments, nursing records, and admission assessment were developed by a nursing informatics team over 5 months and implemented on a cardiovascular unit. In the EMR program, nurses access and record required documentation at the patients besides with a laptop computer instead of using conventional chart. Four categories of data were compared before and after operating EMR program; the time spent in direct patient care, the time spent in nursing documentation, nurses' s job satisfaction, and patients' satisfaction. The result showed a statistically significant increase in the time spent in direct patient care after implementation of EMR system, as well as a decrease in the time spent in nursing documentation. Nurses job satisfaction was increased and patients' satisfaction was decreased, but both were not significant statistically.