Effects of the Culturally Sensitive Education of Perinatal Care on Knowledge, Skills, and Self-Efficacy among Korean Husbands and Vietnamese Wives

PURPOSE: The study was undertaken to see whether the culturally sensitive education for perinatal care using a face to face approach improves understanding of spouse's culture, knowledge of pregnancy and parenting skills, and self-efficacy among Korean husbands and Vietnamese wives. METHODS: This study has a pre- and post-test study design conducted in a total of 13 couples who live in Seoul and agreed to participate. The education program consisted of lecture and hands on practice. The self-administered questionnaires and the checklist developed based on the educational purpose were used to assess the education effects. RESULTS: The knowledge scores on Korean/Vietnamese culture, pregnancy and parenting skills as well as the performance scores on hand washing, pelvic strengthening, feedings and newborn bathing techniques were significantly improved in both husbands and wives after education, but pelvic floor exercises were improved only in wives. CONCLUSION: Overall, the individual education for culturally sensitive perinatal care was effective in our study participants.

Critical Discussion on Smoking During Pregnancy as a Form of Fetal Abuse: An Approach to Advocate for Fetal Right to Life

PURPOSE: Smoking during pregnancy contributes to the risk of negative health outcomes in mothers and babies. The purposes of this study were to review the harmful effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy on fetal and child development, to discuss if maternal smoking should be criminalized as a form of child abuse, and to explore advocating for fetal rights. METHODS: A variety of published literature and legal documents including the Korean constitution, criminal laws, and children's welfare laws were reviewed and critically analyzed. RESULTS: Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to experience abortion related to placental dysfunction. Their unborn risk premature birth, fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, neurobehavioral disturbances, and/or other complications and newborn babies are also at risk for complications. The advocates for fetal rights can assert that maternal smoking should be regarded as a crime. CONCLUSION: Findings show that maternal smoking during pregnancy is a major risk factor for many adverse pregnancy outcomes. Effective strategies and health policies for smoking cessation during pregnancy are required to protect pregnant women and their babies.

Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes and Nursing Intention toward AIDS and Chronic Hepatitis B / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aims at comparing nurses' knowledge, attitudes and nursing intention toward AIDS and Chronic Hepatitis B(CHB). METHODS: The data were collected through self-reported questionnaires from 245 nurses between July and August, 2011. The nurses were recruited from 3 hospitals located in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression were adopted to analyze the data. RESULTS: Regarding AIDS, higher knowledge level was correlated with positive attitudes only(r=-.22, p<.001), which were correlated with favorable nursing intention(r=-.41, p<.001). Higher CHB knowledge level was correlated with both positive attitudes toward CHB(r=-.14, p=.030) and favorable nursing intention(r=.18, p=.004). Nursing intention toward AIDS was affected by attitudes(beta=.58, p<.001) and explained 16.6% of the variance. Both knowledge(beta=.35, p=.028) and attitudes(beta=-.49, p<.001) influenced nursing intention toward CHB and explained 19.1% of the variance. CONCLUSION: We need to promote nurses' positive attitudes toward AIDS to increase their nursing intention for people living with AIDS.