The effect of maternal sleep quality in late pregnancy on prenatal, birth and early postnatal outcomes

This cross-sectional study investigated the effect of maternal sleep quality in late pregnancy on prenatal, birth and early postnatal outcomes. The research was conducted in three parts with women at 28 or more weeks of gestation. In the first part, pregnant women admitted for delivery were evaluated in terms of eligibility criteria. Pregnant women in the latent phase of labour completed the Prenatal Questionnaire. In the second part, labour follow-up was performed. The researchers completed the Birth Follow-up Questionnaire based on observations and hospital birth records. In the third part, mothers were interviewed between the 12th and 24th hour of postnatal. Participants filled out the Postnatal Questionnaire, the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (n = 385). The data were analysed using the chi-square independence test, Fisher test, independent samples t-test, effect sizes, and binary logistic regression analysis. Participants had a mean maternal sleep quality score of 4.00 ± 1.38. They slept for 7.53 ± 0.92 hr on average. One-third of the participants were poor sleepers (32.2%). Employed participants were 71.6% less likely to have poor maternal sleep quality than their non-employed counterparts (odds ratio = 0.29, 95% confidence interval: 0.13-0.62; p = 0.002). The odds of poor maternal sleep quality increased by 13.7% when maternal weight gain during pregnancy increased by 1 kg (odds ratio = 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.26; p = 0.014). Increased maternal sleep quality positively affected the birth process (p < 0.05). Healthcare professionals should routinely screen the maternal sleep quality of pregnant women and increase their sleep hygiene.

The Turkish validity and reliability of the maternal health literacy inventory in pregnancy

BACKGROUND

There is no Turkish scale measuring maternal health literacy during pregnancy. This study adapted the Maternal Health Literacy Inventory in Pregnancy (MHELIP) to Turkish.

METHODS

A methodological study's sample consisted of 500 pregnant women admitted to the antenatal clinics of a Maternity Hospital in Ankara, Türkiye. Data were collected using a personal information form, the MHELIP and the Turkish Health Literacy Index (HLI). Language, content, and construct validity were determined. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and item analysis were used to assess reliability. Equivalent-form reliability was evaluated using the HLI.

RESULTS

The scale has a four-factor structure that fits well with 48 items (factor loadings: 0.57-0.92; fit index: 4.15 x2/df, 0.08 RMSEA, 0.07 SRMR). The total scale has a Cronbach's alpha of 0.96. The subscales "maternal health knowledge," "search for maternal health information," "assessment of maternal health information," and "maternal health decision making and behavior" have Cronbach's alpha of 0.96, 0.91, 0.86, and 0.94, respectively. There is a correlation between MHELIP and HLI scores (r = 0.570, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The MHELIP is a valid and reliable tool for measuring and screening the maternal health literacy of Turkish pregnant women.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a training program for coping with PMS symptoms based on IMB model in university students

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common health problem that adversely affects young women's quality of life. This paper evaluated the effectiveness of a "Training Program for Coping with PMS Symptoms based on Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model" in university nursing students. This controlled intervention study was conducted between September 2017 and February 2018. No sampling was performed. The goal was to include all students who met the inclusion criteria. The sample consisted of 95 first-year nursing students from two universities divided into two groups: intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 45) (power of 84.5%, p = .05, effect size = 0.45). The intervention group received the training, followed by individual motivational counseling first and second months after the training. The control group did not participate in the training program. The intervention group had more PMS symptoms coping behaviors (recognizing premenstrual change, performing regular exercises, relaxation techniques, pursuing a healthy diet, communicating with family and friends) than their counterparts in the control group after the training program (p < .05). The intervention group had higher Premenstrual Coping Measure scores (recognizing premenstrual changes, performing self-care, avoiding harm, communicating) after training program (p < .05). Although habits are hard to break, especially at young ages, the training helped university students adopt PMS coping behaviors.