Evaluation of a pregnancy programme to enhance older primiparas' physical and mental health and marital relationships after childbirth: A non-randomized clinical trial.

AIM

This study evaluated a pregnancy programme designed by us to stabilize older primiparas' physical and mental health and strengthen their marital relationships.

DESIGN

A non-randomized controlled trial study of two groups; an intervention and control group.

METHODS

Ultimately the scores of 15 participants assigned to an intervention group and 15 assigned to a control group were analysed. Participants responded to sociodemographic questions, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a postpartum physical fatigue questionnaire, wives' satisfaction with husbands' support questionnaire and Quality Marriage Index (QMI). Data were collected during pregnancy and at one and 3 months after childbirth.

RESULTS

The participating wives' EPDS scales significantly decreased after the postpartum course in the intervention group. Participating in the programme significantly raised husbands' awareness of their wives' physical burdens 1 month after childbirth. The subscale 'housework support/wives' satisfaction with husbands' support', 3 months after childbirth, did not decline. It is suggested that this programme could strengthen marital relationships because the husbands' understanding of their spouses' physical burdens after childbirth led to an improvement in the wives' satisfaction with their spouses' housework support. Participation in the pregnancy programme may strengthen the marital relationship. This study recommends appropriate nursing support for pregnant couples to improve their physical and mental health.