Unmarried Mother's Knowledge and Attitudes toward Emergency Contraceptive Pills

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify relationships among knowledge and attitudes of unmarried mothers toward emergency contraceptive pills. METHODS: Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 135 unmarried mothers enrolled in 7 single mothers' facilities nationwide. Data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 17.0 program for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe-test, and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: For knowledge about emergency contraceptive pills, there were significant differences among who live with her before pregnancy, experience of past pregnancies, state of present pregnancy and preparation in using contraceptives. For attitude toward emergency contraceptive pills, there were significant differences according to age, education level and religion. There were significant positive relationships between knowledge and attitudes toward emergency contraceptive pills. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that unmarried women should be better informed about emergency contraceptive pills, and reassured about their safety. Efforts are needed to disseminate up-to-date information to experts in sex education including nurses.

A Case of Preterm Newborn with Hydranencephaly, from an Adolescent, Unmarried Woman who had No Antenatal Care / 대한주산의학회잡지

Hydranencephaly is a term used to describe a group of brain malformations in regard to developing any brain remnants. With most of the cerebral cortex absent, the cerebral hemispheres are replaced by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), covered with leptomeninges and dura. Hydranencephaly is a rare isolated abnormality occurring in less than 1 per 10,000 births. With the cutting edged sonography, most of the hydranencephalies are screened in antenatal care. Therefore, it is very rare to observe a living preterm with hydranencephaly. From a history of a young, 19-year-old pregnant woman who did not look for the antenatal care, we found out that it was her first pregnancy, she was unmarried and intermittently had alcohol during the pregnancy. After home delivery, a preterm newborn assumed to be 28 weeks of gestational age was placed under surfactant therapy because of respiratory distress syndrome, and then received a mechanical ventilation. Brain sonography showed that most of the cerebral parenchyma, cortical tissue was absent at the 5th day after the birth. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of brain showed that almost complete absence of cerebrum which was replaced by CSF, hydranencephaly at 81th days from birth. In summary, we report a preterm newborn with hydranencephaly from an adolescent, unmarried woman who had no antenatal care.

Perceptions of Sexuality in Unmarried Mothers / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: A phenomenology study was conducted to provide in-depth data to help in the understanding of young women who have become unmarried mothers. METHOD: In-depth interviews were done with 11 unmarried mothers from August 2002 to September 2003. Data were recorded and analyzed by Colaizzi method. RESULT: Significant statements consisted of 5 categories with 12 theme clusters accompanying each category. The categories were: "Sex as a tool" which included living and connections, "Sex as an expression of her desire" which included wanting and expression of love, "Sex to be dominated" which included significance, domination and negative aspects of sex, "Moral sex" which included secrecy, responsibility and connections with life, "Sex as a sense of identity" which included expression of gender and association with peer group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will help indicate directions for care of unmarried mother, which should be based on a deep understanding of their personal perception of sexuality. Also, it can be utilized as basic materials for development of sex educational programs to prevent repeat pregnancies in unmarried women and information on consultion with unmarried mothers.

A Study on Pregnancy and Social Welfare of Unmarried Mother / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To find out general characteristics, common problems, outcomes of delivery of unmarried mothers and related social factors, and to provide basic information based on the results in order to change social systems and to have a correct understanding of unmarried mothers. METHODS: We studied 196 unmarried mothers who delivered from Jan. 2003 to Aug. 2004. All data were collected by survey whose groups were divided into three by ages, and they were analyzed by Fisher's exact test obstetrically and socially. It verified 95% significant level. RESULTS: Cesarean section rate was 14.3% which is remarkably lower than married mothers. However, it is getting higher (p=0.003) as they are older, and the rate of group of 30s is similar to that of married mothers. Also, the average birth weight of unmarried mothers' babies is 3,056 gm and it is similar to that of married mothers. They took prenatal care only 3.27 times and 22% of them did not commence it until the 3rd trimester. Fifty seven percent drank alcohols, 51% smoked, and 49% used drugs during pregnancy. Most unmarried mothers who took this survey had a lower level and economic status. After delivery, 16.3% of them raise their babies and 83.7% of them had their babies adopted through welfare facilities. CONCLUSION: We conclude that it is necessary to have a social system, welfare facilities, and financial supports that educate contraceptive measures to potential unmarried mothers, let them recognize their situations, and protect them.

A Study on the Relationship Between State Anxiety and Maternal Fetal Attachment of Unmarried Mothers in a Welfare Center / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The Purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between state anxiety and maternal fetal attachment of unmarried mothers in a welfare center. METHODS: The subjects were 25 unmarried mothers in a welfare center. The data was collected through personal interviews using a questionnaire. The instruments used for this study were the modified Spielberger's state anxiety inventory and Cranley's Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale. Data was analyzed descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation, t-test and the pearson correlation coefficient with the SPSS computer program. RESULTS: The age of the subjects ranged from 15 to 25, and their average age was 20.0. The mean score of state anxiety was 58.2. There was significant difference in the degree of maternal state anxiety between the group whose pregnancy was known by their family and the group whose pregnancy was hidden. The group whose pregnancy was known showed a low state anxiety score. There was a significant difference in the degree of maternal state anxiety by the gestational period. The group who were in the second and third gestational trimester showed lower state anxiety score than in the first trimester. The mean score of maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) was 64.9. There were significant differences in the degree of maternal fetal attachment, by an ultrasound scan experience. The most frequently practiced attachment item was "I think the fetus is able to feel (mean 3.8) ". Unmarried mothers degree of state anxiety showed a negative correlation with the degree of maternal fetal attachment (r=-.25), but there was no significant difference between the two variables. CONCLUSIONS: The unmarried mothers made an effort in striving to reduce their high state anxiety and to enhance maternal fetal attachment. They also realize how to take care of their state anxiety.

The Obstetrical and Statistical Aspects of the Unmarried mother / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: We focused the objective of this study on the obstetrical and statistical aspects of the unmarried mother, especially teenage pregnancy and 20's pregnancy. METHODS: The 112 well-documented records in the 130 unmarried mothers who delivered at Gangnam general hospital public corporation from 1998 to 2000, were enrolled in our study. Unmarried mothers were divided into three age groups; teenage group, 20's group and 30's group, then, each group was analyzed by liable methods, SPSS (Version 10.0.7) and data were processed by Student's t-test and accepted as the significant meaning within p-value less than 0.05, 95% significant level. RESULTS: In this study, teenage mothers were delivered lower birth weight babies than those of other groups (p=0.000001). Sex partners of teenage mothers, most school boy friends, were similar age to those mothers and low economic state. Despite desire of bringing up children (teenage 11% versus 20's 36%), they gave up their babies because of monetary matters and social bias. And teenage mothers felt stronger affection for babies than 20's. Teenagers' and 20's unmarried mothers have poor information about contraception (teenage group 42%, 20's 31%). CONCLUSION: The unmarried mothers have been constituting many social problems. Fortunately, the absolute number of the unmarried mothers have not increased but the teenage pregnancy has the majority of unmarried mothers (> OR =50%). It is necessary for unmarried mothers to take the education of contraceptive measures, the social systems of bringing up the boarder babies and the retraining courses of unmarried mothers.

The Obstetrical and Statistical Aspects of the Unmarried mother / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: We focused the objective of this study on the obstetrical and statistical aspects of the unmarried mother, especially teenage pregnancy and 20's pregnancy. METHODS: The 112 well-documented records in the 130 unmarried mothers who delivered at Gangnam general hospital public corporation from 1998 to 2000, were enrolled in our study. Unmarried mothers were divided into three age groups; teenage group, 20's group and 30's group, then, each group was analyzed by liable methods, SPSS (Version 10.0.7) and data were processed by Student's t-test and accepted as the significant meaning within p-value less than 0.05, 95% significant level. RESULTS: In this study, teenage mothers were delivered lower birth weight babies than those of other groups (p=0.000001). Sex partners of teenage mothers, most school boy friends, were similar age to those mothers and low economic state. Despite desire of bringing up children (teenage 11% versus 20's 36%), they gave up their babies because of monetary matters and social bias. And teenage mothers felt stronger affection for babies than 20's. Teenagers' and 20's unmarried mothers have poor information about contraception (teenage group 42%, 20's 31%). CONCLUSION: The unmarried mothers have been constituting many social problems. Fortunately, the absolute number of the unmarried mothers have not increased but the teenage pregnancy has the majority of unmarried mothers (> OR =50%). It is necessary for unmarried mothers to take the education of contraceptive measures, the social systems of bringing up the boarder babies and the retraining courses of unmarried mothers.

A Clinical Observation of Newborns of Unmarried Mothers

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the importance of prenatal care of the unmarried mothers. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of 131 newborn babies of unmarried mothers who were hospitalized at National Medical Center from April, 1998 to August, 1999 were compared to 131 newborn babies of married mothers who were also hospitalized at National Medical Center from June, 1999 to August, 1999 by reviewing their medical records retrospectively. RESULTS: Average age of mothers were 20.1+/-4.0 years in unmarried group and 28.8+/-4.4 years in married group, which was statistically significant. In unmarried group, the highest rate of maternal age (55.8%) was below 20 years of age, which showed increased tendency compared to previous report. In cesarean section rate, there was significant difference; 11.4% in unmarried group and 48.1% in married group. In the birth order, the first baby was most frequent in both groups. The sex ratio showed 1.78 : 1 with male preponderance in unmarried group and 1 : 1.02 with slight female preponderance in married group. In average gestational age, birth weight, height, head circumference, chest circumference, 5 minutes Apgar score, and admission rate, there was no significant difference. The unmarried group had more babies in postmaturity and meconium-stained condition. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in growth and morbidity rate between newborn babies from unmarried mothers who had prenatal care and those from married mothers.