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Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

1999

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Graduate Nursing

First Advisor

Barbara Heater

Keywords

premature labor, education of pregnant women

Abstract

Premature birth continues to be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity among infants in the United States. The cause of preterm birth remains unknown, yet early and comprehensive prenatal care offers at least a partial solution to the prevention of this event. Preterm labor signs and symptoms may frequently precede premature birth and patient education of these forewarning signs is a necessity in prenatal care. The purpose of this study was to assess by quantitative methods, the effects of a teaching intervention on the knowledge of, beliefs about, and behavioral intentions related to preterm labor signs and symptoms among normal, healthy, pregnant women. A nonprobability sample of 41 pregnant women was recruited for the study. Knowledge of, beliefs about, and behavioral intentions related to preterm labor was measured using a pretest-posttest questionnaire that the researcher developed. Questions were developed from an educational videotape and modified from a tool used by Freda et colleagues (1990). Statistically significant differences were found between the pretest and posttest scores of knowledge of, beliefs about, and behavioral intentions related to preterm labor signs and symptoms with the intervention of an educational videotape. There was no significant difference between primiparous and multiparous women regarding knowledge of preterm labor. No significant relationship was found between the variables of age and pretest-posttest behavioral intentions. Also, there was no significant relationship found between the educational level and the knowledge of preterm labor signs and symptoms before and after an educational videotape. Overall, the data indicated a need for further research in to the effects of various teaching methods on knowledge levels and a need for health care providers to be cognizant of their patient's learning capacity. This knowledge is essential for providing positive outcomes in the care of pregnant women.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Labor, Premature
Pregnant women -- Education

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

77

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

Copyright © 1999 Rhonda Klages. All rights reserved

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