[Attitudes and behavior for reproductive health]. / Actitudes y conductas para la salud reproductiva.

Educational interventions represent an alternative for the reproductive well-being. The objective of this investigation was to identify in a mexican community, attitudes and behaviors related to reproductive health, with the goal of implementing a specific health education program. The study population consisted of women between 12 and 44 years old, living in non-residential areas of the Delegation Miguel Hidalgo, D.F. Variables of interest were analyzed only in women with parity (n = 300). Data were collected through interview. The mean age was 31 +/- 8 years. 93.3% were married or in consensual union. 63% had elementary, junior high or prevocational studies. 89% answered that would visit the doctor before considering a pregnancy (junior high+, p < .05), 99% would seek prenatal care if they were pregnant, and 92.7% would have a hospital delivery (parity < or = 3, p < .003). 69.5% had a preconceptional visit before their last pregnancy and 89.9% received prenatal care (junior high+, p < .008). 92.5% had only hospital deliveries (< or = 30 years, p < .05, junior high+, p < .0001, primigravida p < .002, with institutionalized medical services, p < .001), 1.7% had only out-of-hospital deliveries, and 5.8% both. Agreement between attitudes and behaviors are presented. An educational program consisting of confirmation and support to positive attitudes, values and beliefs, and reinforcement to decision making, will result in a final behavior: early assistance to medical care.

[Perception of reproductive risk factors]. / Percepción de factores de riesgo reproductivo.

The objective of this study was to identify risk perception on several factors related to reproductive health, with the goal of implementing an educational intervention based on detected needs. 405 women between 12 and 44 years were interviewed at home. 62.2% perceived the risk of pregnancy at 17 years and younger; 78.8% the risk of pregnancy at 35 years and older; 76.6% the risk of parity of 5 and higher; and 55.1% the risk of birth interval of 2 years and less. 60.5% recognized family history of birth defects, 80.2% age 35 years and older, and 84.4% rubella during pregnancy, as risk factors for newborns with congenital malformations. 27.7% identified history of a low birth weight and 61.0% birth interval of 1 year and less, as risk factors for low birth weight. The majority perceived the risk of tobacco, alcohol and drugs consumption during pregnancy, diseases with no treatment and deficient nutrition. There was an inconsistent influence of social and obstetric variables on risk perception. No linear correlation was detected. Health educators should recognize differences on knowledge and behavior of future receptors before an educational intervention starts.

PIP: 405 lower class women aged 12-44 in the Delegacion Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, were interviewed in their homes in an effort to identify patterns in their perceptions of reproductive risk factors. The women were interviewed in late 1989 with a largely precoded questionnaire containing items described in the literature as risk factors for pregnancy, low birth weight, and birth defects. 7.9% of the respondents were 12-15 years old, 17.3% were 16-20, 37.0% were 21-30, 24.4% were 31-40, and 13.3% were 41-44. 24.9% were single, 59.5% were married, and 12.0% were in free union. 7.9% had no education, 33.8% had primary, 33.8% secondary, 20.9% preparatory, and 3.5% professional educations. Among the 300 women who had children, 23.6% had 1, 48.9% had 2-3, and 28.3% had 4 or more. 22.7% had histories of abortion, 1.3% of stillbirths, 15.7% of premature labor, 11.3% of low birth weight infants, 4.7% of neonatal deaths, and 5.0% of infant death. 62.2% perceived the risk of pregnancy at 17 years or younger, 78.8% the risk of pregnancy at age 35 or over, 70.6% the risk of a 5th or higher order pregnancy, and 55.1% the risk of a birth interval of less than 2 years. The majority perceived smoking, drinking alcohol, untreated pathologies during pregnancy, and inadequate nutrition to be risk factors. 27.7% identified a history of low birth weight infants and 61.0% birth intervals of 1 year or less as risk factors for low birth weight. 60.5% recognized family history of birth defects, 80.2% maternal age of 35 or over, and 84.4% rubella during pregnancy as risk factors for congenital malformations. The influence of sociodemographic and obstetric variables on perception of risks was inconsistent and no linear correlations were detected. Health educators should recognize differences in levels of knowledge and behavior in the target population when the educational program is designed.

[Perception of common symptomatology during pregnancy, puerperium and lactation]. / Percepción de sintomatología común durante embarazo, puerperio y lactancia.

The objective of this investigation was to identify women's perception on normal and abnormal symptoms of pregnancy, puerperium and breastfeeding; its purpose was to assess the varying educational needs in the geographical area where a reproductive health education program will be implemented. 405 fertile females living in non-residential areas were interviewed in their homes. A predominantly pre-coded questionnaire was used; items related to reproductive health, preventable and susceptible to education were included. Symptomatology perceived incorrectly as normal: a) In pregnancy: Dysuria: 24 percent, genital hemorrhage: 15 per cent, absence of fetal movement: 23 per cent, did not know how to recognize preterm birth symptoms: 70 per cent. b) In puerperium: Increased quantity in lochia rubra: 17 per cent, fever: 22 per cent, fetid lochia: 28 per cent, and c) In breastfeeding: Breasts red and warm: 48 per cent, fever: 30 per cent, nipple fissures: 70 per cent. Symptomatology perceived incorrectly as abnormal: a) In pregnancy: Frequent urination: 17 per cent, morning nausea in the 1st trimester: 9 per cent, emotional instability: 21 per cent, Braxton Hicks contractions: 41 per cent, and b) Postpartum period: Decreased quantity in lochia rubra: 9 per cent, non-fetid lochia alba: 43 per cent, calostrum: 20 per cent. The assessment educational needs showed an inaccurate identification of abnormal and normal obstetric events; its frequency varied. It is essential that a pregnant woman be well informed and educated in order to preserve her own health as well as that of her unborn child. She must be able to recognize warning signs, take action and demand appropriate medical care. Health care personnel and health educators must be responsible for the promoting of maternal and child health during pregnancy.