| Learning Objective #1: Identify the importance of income for birth weight and prenatal care visits | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss the effects of stress, sense of belonging, and health behavior on birth weight and prenatal care visits |
Birth weight is an important outcome indicator of childbearing and it is a consideration in all pre-natal care programs. Lower birth weights are linked to infant morbidity and mortality, yet efforts to improve birth weight and attendance for pre-natal care are impeded by lack of information about both birth weight and pre-natal care. This study used a predictive correlational design to examine the effects of perceived stress, sense of belonging, and life style behaviors in predicting birth weight and attendance for pre-natal care. A structured interview format was used to survey 100 impoverished childbearing women who were more than 36 weeks pregnant and at least 20 years of age. The women were approached and invited to participate while attending one of two hospital-based pre-natal clinics in south east Michigan. Data were subjected to bivariate correlations and regression analyses, and the findings indicate that only the variable income was able to predict birth weight. Use of pre-natal care was predicted by psychosocial factors, such as sense of belonging and living with a significant other. Predictors of life style behaviors were also dependent on psychosocial factors. Economic factors predicted both the level of perceived stress and the sense of belonging of the women. The findings are important for the early identification of childbearing women who are at risk and suggests that a relationship of psychosocial and economic factors impact on healthy life style behaviors among impoverished childbearing women.
Back to Women and Infant Care: Strategies and Techniques
Back to 37th Biennial Convention - Clinical Sessions
Sigma Theta Tau International