SELF-CARE BEHAVIOR OF PRIMIGRAVIDA AND MULTIGRAVIDA WOMEN'S CONCERNING MINOR DISCOMFORTS MANAGEMENT DURING PREGNANCY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Self-care behavior is the capacity to carry out the requirements or needs for keeping one's health and well-being. The fast rising hormones during pregnancy alter the mother's body and may result in what are known as minor disorders. Pregnant women benefit from self-care behaviors about minor discomforts and behaviors throughout pregnancy; as a result, women's understanding of and adherence to self-care behaviors are critical for safeguarding their health. The purpose of this study was to assess the self-care practices of primigravida and multigravida women with regard to mild disorder management of pregnancy discomfort. Determine the relationship between the reproductive and demographic characteristics of primigravida and multigravida women and their self-care behavior for managing specific minor discomforts by contrasting their concerning behavior with that of self-care for managing particular minor discomforts.

Methods: The current investigation uses quantitative methods to conduct a descriptive study. A non-probability sample of 350 was used for three trimesters (127 primigravida and 223 multigravida). The primary healthcare facilities in Holy Karbala City served as the study's sites. As explained in the methods section, the questionnaire was designed with three sections.

Results: The results showed that housewives, nuclear families, bachelor degree holders, the bulk of the women in the study group, who were in their 20s and 30s. The results of the study showed that pregnant women also practiced moderate self-care for minor discomforts. Conclusion: There is a statistically meaningful association between the level of education, occupation, and family type of pregnant women and their overall self-care behaviors, with p-values of.001,.002, and.004 respectively. Furthermore, there is a significant correlation (p-values =.001,.002,.008,.050, and.011, respectively) between a pregnant woman's gravidity and her overall self-care behaviors, number of abortions, parity, and length of marriage. Recommendations: establishing a program to educate all expectant mothers about common discomforts and appropriate self-care techniques in an effort to broaden their understanding.