Ana C Wong1, Brooke Rengers, Alexandra L Nowak, Samantha Schoeppner, Mercedes Price, Liying Zhang, Rhonda K Dailey, Cindy M Anderson, Dawn P Misra, Carmen Giurgescu. 1. Ana C. Wong is a Research Nurse, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. The author can be reached via email at wong.513@osu.edu Brooke Rengers is a Research Nurse, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. Alexandra L. Nowak is a Predoctoral Fellow, Graduate Research Assistant, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. Samantha Schoeppner is a Research Assistant, Acute Crisis Response Clinician, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH. Mercedes Price is the Project Manager for Biosocial Impact on Black Births Study, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. Dr. Liying Zhang is a Research Assistant, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI. Dr. Rhonda K. Dailey is an Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. Dr. Cindy M. Anderson is a Professor, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Educational Innovation, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. Dr. Dawn P. Misra is a Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. Dr. Carmen Giurgescu is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research, College of Nursing, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to see if timing of prenatal care initiation was related to psychological wellbeing of Black women. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of 197 pregnant Black women completed a self-reported survey between 8 weeks and less than 30 weeks gestation as part of the Biosocial Impact on Black Births study. The questions asked about the initiation of prenatal care, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and psychological wellbeing. Multiple linear regression was used to examine if timing of prenatal care initiation was related to psychological variables. RESULTS: Sixty-three women (32%) reported they were not able to initiate their first prenatal care visit as early as they wanted due to various barriers. After adjusting for cofounders, not initiating prenatal care as early as women wanted predicted lower levels of psychological wellbeing. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Perinatal nurses should assess psychological wellbeing in Black women throughout pregnancy; advocate for Black women who report high levels of stress, psychological distress, or depressive symptoms for further mental health evaluation by their health care provider; and provide resources and education (e.g., support groups, counseling) for these women.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to see if timing of prenatal care initiation was related to psychological wellbeing of Black women. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of 197 pregnant Black women completed a self-reported survey between 8 weeks and less than 30 weeks gestation as part of the Biosocial Impact on Black Births study. The questions asked about the initiation of prenatal care, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and psychological wellbeing. Multiple linear regression was used to examine if timing of prenatal care initiation was related to psychological variables. RESULTS: Sixty-three women (32%) reported they were not able to initiate their first prenatal care visit as early as they wanted due to various barriers. After adjusting for cofounders, not initiating prenatal care as early as women wanted predicted lower levels of psychological wellbeing. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Perinatal nurses should assess psychological wellbeing in Black women throughout pregnancy; advocate for Black women who report high levels of stress, psychological distress, or depressive symptoms for further mental health evaluation by their health care provider; and provide resources and education (e.g., support groups, counseling) for these women.
Authors: Allan A Johnson; Barbara D Wesley; M Nabil El-Khorazaty; Julie M Utter; Brinda Bhaskar; Barbara J Hatcher; Renee Milligan; Barbara K Wingrove; Leslie Richards; Margaret F Rodan; Haziel A Laryea Journal: Matern Child Health J Date: 2011-12