BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (Aug 2022)

Women’s holistic self-care behaviors during pregnancy and associations with psychological well-being: implications for maternal care facilities

  • Lam Duc Nguyen,
  • Long Hoang Nguyen,
  • Ly Thi Ninh,
  • Ha Thu Thi Nguyen,
  • Anh Duy Nguyen,
  • Linh Gia Vu,
  • Hao Si Anh Nguyen,
  • Son Hoang Nguyen,
  • Linh Phuong Doan,
  • Thuc Minh Thi Vu,
  • Bach Xuan Tran,
  • Carl A. Latkin,
  • Cyrus S. H. Ho,
  • Roger C. M. Ho

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04961-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Background Self-care behaviors during pregnancy significantly impacts mother and children's health. This study aimed to explore the self-care behaviors and the associations of these behaviors with the psychological well-being of women during pregnancy, as well as the mediating effects of different social support with these associations. Methods A cross-sectional data of 562 pregnant women at Hanoi Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital and Ca Mau Obstetrics & Pediatrics in Vietnam were analyzed. Questions about self-care behaviors, pregnancy characteristics, social support, and psychological well-being were asked. Multivariate regression models were performed. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the mediating effects of different social support with the association between self-care behaviors and psychological well-being. Findings Only 13% of pregnant women often or always did physical exercise at least three times a week, and 40% consumed enough fiber and five servings of vegetables a day. Only 78.7% always avoided alcohol drinking, and 53.9% of pregnant women avoided being exposed to second-hand smoking and 71,7% avoided using traditional medicine without physicians’ prescriptions. Around 66% of pregnant women always or often had prenatal care checkups as scheduled. Information sources, social support and childbirth expectation were major drivers for self-care practices. SEM model showed that social support mediated the relationship between maternal health behaviors and mental well-being. Conclusion This study highlighted the remarkable gaps in self-care practices among our pregnant women, which were significantly associated with their mental well-being. Social support-oriented consultancy and interventions should be warranted for improving behaviors and the mental well-being of pregnant women in Vietnam.

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