Partner Support During Pregnancy and Its influence on Maternal Health Behaviors

Authors

Mazvita Nyamukapa, Jefferson School of Population HealthFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

12-17-2013

Comments

Committee Chair, Al Crawford, PhD, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson School of Population Health

Abstract

Pregnancy is a time of great change not only for the pregnant woman but for her partner as well. The influence of partner involvement during pregnancy is important but has been understudied. Previously, more emphasis was on examining the influence of paternal involvement on early child development rather than on maternal health behaviors and birth outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of partner involvement on maternal health behaviors during pregnancy as well as to determine potential barriers that may prevent partners from being involved during pregnancy. Study participants were recruited from the patients at the Jefferson Women’s Medical Specialties and the Jefferson Obstetrics and Gynecology practices. 201 pregnant women and 60 of their partners completed questionnaires with demographic information and information on how they perceived partner support using questions adapted from the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (NSSQ). The questionnaire responses were recorded using Excel and then analyzed using SPSS. Household income, relationship type, mother’s race, type of insurance, and mother’s education level were shown to have a statistically significant influence on the mother’s perception of support during pregnancy. In terms of health behaviors, pregnant smokers had an average support score of 30.5, pregnant nonsmokers had an average support score of 32.45 (t-test p = 0.23.) Pregnant alcohol users versus non-users had similar support scores. Of women who relied on a partner, 26% reported drinking alcohol during pregnancy, while 42% of women who did not rely on a partner reported drinking alcohol (Chi-square p = .07).The influence of partner support on alcohol consumption and tobacco use, though suggestive, was not found to be statistically significant.

Presentation: 15 minutes (audio, PowerPoint slides at bottom of the page)

Recommended Citation

Nyamukapa, Mazvita, "Partner Support During Pregnancy and Its influence on Maternal Health Behaviors" (2013). Master of Public Health Capstone Presentations. Presentation 108.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/mphcapstone_presentation/108