PERCEIVED PHYCOSOCIAL SUPPORT AND QUALITY OF CARE OF PREGNANT WOMEN DURING CHILD BIRTH

Abstract

This study was on perceived phycosocial support and quality of care of pregnant women during child birth. The objectives of the study are; To find out the effect of social support on pregnant women during child birth, to find out the effect of marriage status on pregnant women during child birth and to find out the effect of Social integration on pregnant women during child birth. The study used mean and standard deviation for the analysis. In recent years, the role of social support on different aspects of health especially pregnancy and childbirth has been emphasized. Social support facilitates individual access to necessary resources during stressful periods of life like pregnancy and childbirth. Present evidence of effects of phycosocial support on birth experience is inconsistent,

Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

Psychosocial support during childbirth involves offering emotional support, advice regarding coping techniques, comfort measures (massage, warm baths, and promoting adequate fluid intake) and advocacy (helping the woman articulate her wishes to others). Sometimes, it may involve performing errand and offering of prayers ( Hodnett ED, 2003)

Several theoretical explanations have been offered to explain the physiological effects of labour support on childbirth outcomes. Penny Simkin had theorized that labour emotional distress is associated with excessive catecholamine production with resultant effect of reduced uterine contraction, longer labour duration and fetal heart rate irregularity (Simkin P. Stress, 1986)

The excessive maternal catecholamine causes vasoconstriction and subsequent uteroplacental blood flow compromise. This can be reduced by providing psychosocial support. Another theory by Taylor et al. reported a strong association between oxytocin release in a labouring woman, duration of labour and massage by the support person (Morhason-Bello, 2008)

Evidence abound that the quality of psychosocial support offered is dependent on type of companion used. Trained lay woman (doula) has been associated with best labour outcomes. In addition, duration of support also has significant effect on outcome. Meta-analysis have shown that women with continuous support during childbirth had better outcomes compared to those that had intermittent support

 Becoming a mother for the first time is a major developmental transition of adulthood and change is an inevitable element of that process. The birth of a baby is not only an important event for couples, but is also a source of concern for the entire family. Previous research indicates that social support facilitates the transition to motherhood, social support, including the positive support of family and friends, increases parenting competence by providing encouragement and resources during the period of role-transition. Social support is like a barrier that protects people against potential effects of stressful life events and enables people to cope with the difficulties in life( Yehia DB, 2013). The transition is also influenced by the mothers’ own beliefs in their capabilities as new mothers. These factors can influence mothers’ maternal mental health and well-being. According to Bandura’s theory, mothers who have more sense of maternal competence, insist more on their maternal role as a mother, do not blame themselves, and have more sense of success. Development of maternal role is a progressive process that starts from pregnancy and forms 4 to 6 months after the childbirth. In a study, the mothers reported that the formation, acceptance, and satisfaction of maternal role happened at round 4 months after giving birth. A qualitative study in Australia showed that most of the women lacked self-confidence in the ability to care for their babies. A review study of related articles concluded that first time mothers had a sense of incompetence in their maternal role. Social support is a predictor of postpartum depression and maternal role competence. Postpartum depression is a problem that occurs during the first days of childbirth which affects 10-20% of mothers in all ethnical groups (Bloomfield L 2012). Based on the background the researcher wants to investigate the perceived phycosocial support and quality of care of pregnant women during child birth

Statement of the problem

Investigating social support and maternal competence changes would yield a better understanding of the mother’s adaptation process with the maternal role, and is an effective guide for interventions to help mothers better accepts their maternal role. Therefore, the young mothers in this province need guidance and social support to adapt to their maternal roles. Since no study has been conducted on this subject in the province, we aimed to examine perceived phycosocial support and quality of care of pregnant women during child birth. We hope that this study would be a step towards promoting the health of mothers and infants living in this province.

There is emerging evidence that Nigerian antenatal women desire social support during childbirth however, we are not aware of any operational study within our country to form the basis of an evidence-based management protocol or a shift in policy paradigm. Therefore, this study aims to assess perceived phycosocial support and quality of care of pregnant women during child birth

Objective of the study

The objectives of the study are;

1. To find out the effect of social support on pregnant women during child birth
2. To find out the effect of marriage status on pregnant women during child birth
3. To find out the effect of Social integration on pregnant women during child birth

Research Question

The following research questions were formulated;

1. What is the effect of social support on pregnant women during child birth?
2. What is the effect of marriage status on pregnant women during child birth?
3. What is the effect of Social integration on pregnant women during child birth?

Research Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses were formulated;

H0: there is no effect of social support on pregnant women during child birth

H1: there is effect of social support on pregnant women during child birth

H0: there is no effect of marriage status on pregnant women during child birth

H2: there is effect of marriage status on pregnant women during child birth

H0: there is no effect of Social integration on pregnant women during child birth

H3: there is effect of Social integration on pregnant women during child birth

Significance of the study

The study will give a clear insight on the perceived phycosocial support and quality of care of pregnant women during child birth. The study will be beneficial to students, nursing mothers and ministry of health. Since psychosocial approach looks at individuals in the context of the combined influence that psychological factors and the surrounding social environment have on their physical and mental wellness and their ability to function especially on mothers. The study will enlighten the public on the effect of physcosocial effect on pregnant mother during child birth. The study will also serve as a reference to other researchers that will embark on the related topic

Scope and limitation of the study

The scope of the study covers perceived phycosocial support and quality of care of pregnant women during child birth. The study will be limited to mothers in  Uyo, Akwa ibom state

The demanding schedule of respondents made it very difficult getting the respondents to participate in the survey. As a result, retrieving copies of questionnaires in timely fashion was very challenging. Also, the researcher is a student and therefore has limited time as well as resources in covering extensive literature available in conducting this research. Information provided by the researcher may not hold true for all research under this study but is restricted to the selected respondents used as a study in this research especially in the locality where this study is being conducted. Finally, the researcher is restricted only to the evidence provided by the participants in the research and therefore cannot determine the reliability and accuracy of the information provided. Other limitations include:

 Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

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