Exploring Women's Experiences in Accessing, Understanding, Appraising, and Applying Health Information During Pregnancy

This study explored pregnant women's experiences in accessing, understanding, evaluating, communicating, and using health information and services during pregnancy.MethodsPregnant participants (aged 18 ‐45 years) were recruited from an obstetrics and gynecology department of a large urban training hospital. Focus groups were facilitated by a moderator's guide developed from health literacy domains (access, understand, evaluate, and communicate and use), audio recorded, transcribed, and uploaded into ATLAS.ti. Constant comparative and thematic analysis were employed.ResultsParticipants (N = 17) were predominantly Hispanic (53%), married (67%), college educated (87%), employed (80%), insured (100%), and nulliparous (59%). Health care providers and online and digital sources were preferred sources of information. Participants ’ understanding was facilitated by plain language, pictures and other visuals, numbers and statistics, and tailored information. Participants evaluated information credibility by source (health care provider, advertisement, multiple sources) and personal circumstances (eg, health history, gestatio nal age). In addition, these women used the information to communicate with health care providers, family, and partners and to change health‐related behaviors.DiscussionParticipants described rich, contextual health literacy experiences. Future interventions that maximize access to health care providers and online and digital sources, while ensuring material...
Source: Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health - Category: Midwifery Authors: Tags: Original Research Source Type: research