SELF-CARE AGENCY AND PRENATAL CARE ACTIONS: RELATIONSHIPS TO PREGNANCY OUTCOMES.
Contributors: Case Western Reserve University.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 165
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Engagement in prenatal care activities leads to good pregnancy outcomes. Evidence exists that some pregnant women continue to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, use cocaine, and consume inadequate diets during pregnancy. However, the focus of studies has been on time of entry and number of visits rather than engagement in prenatal care actions. The purpose of this study was to utilize Orem's Self-care Deficit Nursing Theory to gain an understanding of factors influencing the pregnant woman's engagement in prenatal care actions. The dependent variables were maternal hemoglobin and infant birth weight; the independent variables were gravidity, weeks of gestation on entry into prenatal care, perinatal risk designation, self-care agency, basic prenatal care actions, and foundations for dependent care agency (maternal role acquisition and prenatal attachment). An ex post facto correlational design was used in a random sample of 127 pregnant women at least 30 weeks gestation. Instruments were: Appraisal of Self-care Agency scale (Evers, et al 1986); Hart Prenatal Care Actions scale; Psychosocial Reproductive Health Tool (Budd, 1985).

Using path analysis techniques, the final model resulted in six significant paths. Gravidity had a direct negative effect on basic prenatal care actions and a direct negative effect on maternal hemoglobin. Self-care agency had a direct positive effect on basic prenatal care actions and on foundations for dependent care agency and an indirect effect through basic prenatal care actions and foundations for dependent care agency on infant birth weight. There was a significant path between basic prenatal care actions and foundations for dependent care agency which in turn was related to infant birth weight. The results suggest that health care providers should foster the development of foundations for dependent care agency during pregnancy and that the multigravida woman needs increased teaching and guidance. Results of this study lend support to Orem's model.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-02, Section: B, page: 0364.

Thesis (PH.D.)--CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (HEALTH SCIENCES), 1993.

School code: 0499.