Adult Perceptions of Healthy Pregnancy: A Focus-Group Study

Hae Won Kim, Duck Hee Kim, Hyang Yuol Lee, Young Jin Lee and Hye Young Ahn
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Hae Won Kim: Seoul National University, College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul 03080, Korea
Duck Hee Kim: College of Nursing, Woosuk University, Jeollabuk-do 55338, Korea
Hyang Yuol Lee: College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
Young Jin Lee: College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea
Hye Young Ahn: College of Nursing, Eulji University, Daejeon 34824, Korea

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: The fastest aging society with the lowest fertility rate can be buffered by support for healthy pregnancies using sociocultural approaches. We aimed to address adult perceptions of a healthy pregnancy and explored their needs and concerns about childbirth across the lifespan. We conducted a qualitative study using content analysis to investigate general perceptions of a healthy pregnancy after focus-group interviews with adult men and women. We interviewed 60 participants in nine group sessions of 5 to 8 people per group. Three major themes emerged that affect healthy pregnancies: Taking responsibility for a prepared pregnancy, factors that interfere with a healthy pregnancy, and improving strategies for a healthy pregnancy. For the first theme, the two main concerns were financial and parenthood preparation. Factors interfering with a healthy pregnancy had direct and indirect causes, considering personal, social, and cultural changes. Strategies for a healthy pregnancy included family and workplace support, systematic education, and governmental support for financial preparation and health screening. Participants averred that various kinds of support (financial, healthcare, and career) are needed for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. This public awareness could promote better decisions toward healthy pregnancy with more sociocultural approaches in the various settings of home, school, and the workplace.

Keywords: pregnancy; preconception care; social perception; focus groups (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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