Nursing care for pregnant women at risk of preterm labor and its impact on their knowledge and lifestyle pattern

Abstract

Background: Preterm labor is a critical public health problem. The management and prevention of preterm labor will commence upon the identification of women who are susceptible to this complication. In order to prevent preterm labor, the maternal lifestyle is thought to be a modifiable factor. Reduced risk of preterm labor was linked to a healthy prenatal lifestyle and several low-risk modifiable factors. The provision of nursing care delays the occurrence of preterm birth by preventing preterm labor until it reaches a stage of fetal development that can survive in the outside environment and improve the health of preterm babies. The aim: Evaluate the impact of nursing care for pregnant women at risk of preterm labor on their knowledge and lifestyle pattern.Research Design: The current study used a quasi-experimental research design. Setting: The highly dependent unit (HDU) and antenatal care unit of Minia University Hospital for maternity and children. Tools: The first tool is the Interviewing Questionnaire, and the second tool is the Preterm Labor Assessment Tool. The third tool is lifestyle & activity assessment. Results: Implementation of nursing care improved women's knowledge effectively as (73.6%) had good knowledge among the study group post-intervention compared to 8.0% among the control group had good knowledge after routine hospital care. 86.1% of women achieved healthy lifestyle pattern and activity after nursing care in the study group compared to (26.7%) in the control group after routine hospital care. Conclusion: There was a high statistical improvement in women's knowledge among the study group compared to the control group (p-value ≤ 0.001), and there was a high statistical significance improvement in women's lifestyle pattern and activity after implementation of nursing care among the study group compared to control group as (p-value ≤ 0.000). Recommendation: Nursing care to prevent preterm labor handout should be written in a clear, concise, and thorough explanation to increase pregnant women's awareness of these issues.