Current Status and Factors Affecting Prenatal Care by Married Immigrant Women

Jang, In Sun; Hwang, Na Mi; Yoon, Mi Sun; Park, Seungmi

doi:2010.16.4.326

Korean J Women Health Nurs > Volume 16(4); 2010 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2010;16(4):326-335.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2010.16.4.326

Current Status and Factors Affecting Prenatal Care by Married Immigrant Women

In Sun Jang, Na Mi Hwang, Mi Sun Yoon, Seungmi Park

¹Department of Nursing, Korea Bible University, Korea.
²Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, Korea.
³Department of Nursing, Baekseok University, Korea.
⁴Department of Nursing, Hoseo University, Korea. seungmipark@hoseo.edu

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting prenatal care (PNC) by married immigrant women.
METHODS
This study was a secondary analysis of "Reproductive Health Status of Married Immigrant Women and Policy Directions in Korea" by the Korea Institute for Health & Social Affairs. The participants were 727 married immigrant women from Asia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi2 test and logistic regression with SPSS 14.0.
RESULTS
Of the 727 women interviewed, 91.7% visited prenatal clinic. However, first time for PNC was late and total number of PNC was lower (9.07) than the average of Korean women. Timing and number of PNC in rural area were later and fewer than those in urban area. PNC by these women was significantly lower in those who had lived in Korea longer and for those who the employed. However, PNC was significantly higher in those who attended health education during pregnancy and had not experienced premature delivery. Those who attended health education during pregnancy (OR=2.84, CI=1.49~5.40) or were unemployed (OR=0.51, CI=0.26~0.99) were more likely to have PNC.
CONCLUSION
These findings illustrate the need to strengthen the public information and provide special services to their demands about PNC for married immigrant women.

Key Words: Prenatal care; Emmigrants & immigrants; Pregnancy