PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop an uncertainty scale for infertile women. METHODS: The process included construction of a conceptual framework, generation of 12items, verification of content validity, selection of secondary items, verification of construct validity and extraction of final items. In order to verify the reliability and validity of the preliminary instrument, data were collected from 50 infertile women in an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) clinic. Data were analyzed by item analysis, Varimax factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: There were 10 items in the final instrument categorized into 2 factors labeled as "personal (6 items)" and "relational (4 items)" The total variance explained was 73.36%. The instrument was shown to have good reliability with a Cronbach's alpha of .899. CONCLUSION: Validity and reliability of the scale were confirmed in this study showing its utility to measure uncertainty for infertile women. The instrument can help understand sterility and accurately measure uncertainty for infertile women. The instrument can also be used to evaluate nursing interventions designed for mitigating uncertainty for infertile women.
Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility ; Reproducibility of Results ; Uncertainty

Purpose: The present study investigated the experiences of unmarried women undergoing planned oocyte cryopreservation (OC). Methods: Data were collected from August 2022 to February 2023 through individual in-depth interviews with thirteen unmarried women undergoing planned OC. Data were analyzed using Colazzi’s phenomenological method. Results: The findings revealed four distinct clusters.The first cluster, “Safeguards against Future Uncertainty,” examined experiences associated with uncertainties in several aspects of reproductive health threats and decision-making regarding planned OC. The second cluster, “Indescribable Pain and Chaos,” explored the psychological and physical pain, complications, concerns about repeat procedures, and uncertainties about the use of frozen oocytes experienced during the planned OC process and afterward. The third cluster, “Motivation to Rebuild Resilience,” explored participants’ resilience in overcoming difficulties and shocks during the planned OC process and regaining their inner strength through the support of family and friends. The fourth cluster, “Finally Freeing the Mind,” focused on the sense of liberation from the pressure of marriage and childbirth, which enabled participants to engage in their present self and concentrate on self-stability and growth in preparation for the future. Conclusion The present study enhances our understanding of the emotional difficulties and distress experienced by women considering OC, thereby assisting in improving approaches for psychological support and clinical management. Furthermore, providing insights into these first-hand experiences to women considering planned OC, healthcare professionals, and policymakers could help establish systems to support the decision-making process.

Purpose: The present study investigated the experiences of unmarried women undergoing planned oocyte cryopreservation (OC). Methods: Data were collected from August 2022 to February 2023 through individual in-depth interviews with thirteen unmarried women undergoing planned OC. Data were analyzed using Colazzi’s phenomenological method. Results: The findings revealed four distinct clusters.The first cluster, “Safeguards against Future Uncertainty,” examined experiences associated with uncertainties in several aspects of reproductive health threats and decision-making regarding planned OC. The second cluster, “Indescribable Pain and Chaos,” explored the psychological and physical pain, complications, concerns about repeat procedures, and uncertainties about the use of frozen oocytes experienced during the planned OC process and afterward. The third cluster, “Motivation to Rebuild Resilience,” explored participants’ resilience in overcoming difficulties and shocks during the planned OC process and regaining their inner strength through the support of family and friends. The fourth cluster, “Finally Freeing the Mind,” focused on the sense of liberation from the pressure of marriage and childbirth, which enabled participants to engage in their present self and concentrate on self-stability and growth in preparation for the future. Conclusion The present study enhances our understanding of the emotional difficulties and distress experienced by women considering OC, thereby assisting in improving approaches for psychological support and clinical management. Furthermore, providing insights into these first-hand experiences to women considering planned OC, healthcare professionals, and policymakers could help establish systems to support the decision-making process.

Purpose: The present study investigated the experiences of unmarried women undergoing planned oocyte cryopreservation (OC). Methods: Data were collected from August 2022 to February 2023 through individual in-depth interviews with thirteen unmarried women undergoing planned OC. Data were analyzed using Colazzi’s phenomenological method. Results: The findings revealed four distinct clusters.The first cluster, “Safeguards against Future Uncertainty,” examined experiences associated with uncertainties in several aspects of reproductive health threats and decision-making regarding planned OC. The second cluster, “Indescribable Pain and Chaos,” explored the psychological and physical pain, complications, concerns about repeat procedures, and uncertainties about the use of frozen oocytes experienced during the planned OC process and afterward. The third cluster, “Motivation to Rebuild Resilience,” explored participants’ resilience in overcoming difficulties and shocks during the planned OC process and regaining their inner strength through the support of family and friends. The fourth cluster, “Finally Freeing the Mind,” focused on the sense of liberation from the pressure of marriage and childbirth, which enabled participants to engage in their present self and concentrate on self-stability and growth in preparation for the future. Conclusion The present study enhances our understanding of the emotional difficulties and distress experienced by women considering OC, thereby assisting in improving approaches for psychological support and clinical management. Furthermore, providing insights into these first-hand experiences to women considering planned OC, healthcare professionals, and policymakers could help establish systems to support the decision-making process.

Purpose: The present study investigated the experiences of unmarried women undergoing planned oocyte cryopreservation (OC). Methods: Data were collected from August 2022 to February 2023 through individual in-depth interviews with thirteen unmarried women undergoing planned OC. Data were analyzed using Colazzi’s phenomenological method. Results: The findings revealed four distinct clusters.The first cluster, “Safeguards against Future Uncertainty,” examined experiences associated with uncertainties in several aspects of reproductive health threats and decision-making regarding planned OC. The second cluster, “Indescribable Pain and Chaos,” explored the psychological and physical pain, complications, concerns about repeat procedures, and uncertainties about the use of frozen oocytes experienced during the planned OC process and afterward. The third cluster, “Motivation to Rebuild Resilience,” explored participants’ resilience in overcoming difficulties and shocks during the planned OC process and regaining their inner strength through the support of family and friends. The fourth cluster, “Finally Freeing the Mind,” focused on the sense of liberation from the pressure of marriage and childbirth, which enabled participants to engage in their present self and concentrate on self-stability and growth in preparation for the future. Conclusion The present study enhances our understanding of the emotional difficulties and distress experienced by women considering OC, thereby assisting in improving approaches for psychological support and clinical management. Furthermore, providing insights into these first-hand experiences to women considering planned OC, healthcare professionals, and policymakers could help establish systems to support the decision-making process.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the stress, depression, and fetal attachment of pregnant women who underwent infertility treatment, and to identify factors associated with fetal attachment. METHODS: As a correlation survey design, data were collected from 136 pregnant women who underwent infertility treatment. Data were analyzed using chi2-test, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Stress, depression, and fetal attachment averaged 3.01+/-0.60 (range of scale 1~5), 10.02+/-6.51 (out of a possible 63), and 3.64+/-0.55 (range of scale 1~5), respectively. Level of fetal attachment was higher when mother's age was less than 35, having other children, and having prenatal education experience. Lower score of depression and client's age less than 35 were significant factors affecting fetal attachment. CONCLUSION: Infertility is a life-affecting trauma for the individual, and personal and social changes due to infertility cause physical and psychological difficulties even after a successful pregnancy with infertility treatment. Therefore, prenatal management programs need to be developed giving consideration to the emotional and physical changes in order to promote physical and psychological stability in the women pregnant following infertility treatment.
Child ; Depression* ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women* ; Prenatal Education ; Social Change

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine obstetric and gynecologic (OBGY) nurses' perception and performance propecting patients' privacy, and to contribute to develop educational program and improve the quality of nursing care. METHODS: 206 OBGY nurses in 6 hospitals using an electronic medical record or an order communicating system were chosen by convenience sampling and agreed to participate in the study. The questionnaire, explored 4 domains of privacy: direct nursing, linked business, patient information management, communication with relatives. RESULTS: Perception and performance of protecting patient privacy averaged 4.29 (of 5) and 3.55 (of 5), respectively. Most nurses (94.2%) recognized the importance of protecting patient privacy, 80.1% received patient privacy education. There was a distinct difference between the perception and performance of protecting patient privacy of nurses. Performance of protecting patient privacy had a positive correlation with perception. CONCLUSION: Proper performance of protecting privacy protection requires improving perception of each nurse on the patient privacy, and various efforts should be made to minimize the affect from external factors such as hospital environment. It is needed to educate nurses for patient privacy. It is also needed for medical organizations to improve their policies and facilities to ease the performance for privacy protection.
Commerce ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Information Management ; Privacy ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: Sexual function involves a complex interaction of emotions, body image, and intact physical responses. The purpose of this study was to determine the sexual functioning of women who are incontinent and to identify associated factors. METHODS: For this descriptive correlation study, data were collected from 147 women with urinary incontinence. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Mean scores were 22.39 (sexual dysfunction < or =26.55) for sexual function, 13.38 (of 63) for depression, and 55.47 (range of score 17~85) for body image. Urinary symptoms and daily life symptoms averaged 36.04 (range of score 20~100) and 16.03 (range of score 8~40). Sexual function had a positive correlation with body image and negative correlation with daily life symptoms. Sexual satisfaction, daily life symptoms, marital satisfaction, and frequency of sexual intercourse were factors affecting sexual function. CONCLUSION: Study results indicate that urinary incontinence has a negative impact on various aspects of sexual function. Nurses should be aware of the wider consideration that needs to be made in relation to general and sexual quality of life when caring for clients suffering from urological diseases.
Body Image ; Coitus ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Statistics as Topic ; Stress, Psychological ; Urinary Incontinence ; Urologic Diseases

PURPOSE: We aim to assess the moderating and mediating effects of sexual satisfaction in the relationship between infertility stress and quality of life of infertile women, and contribute to alleviate the infertility stress and promote the quality of life of infertile women. METHODS: As a descriptive study, we surveyed 151 infertile women in G. and B in Korea. cities from November 2014 to January 2015. The data was analyzed in SPSS WIN 18.0 program. RESULTS: Infertility stress, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life averaged 3.82±.56 (range of scale 1~6), 3.42±.44 (range of scale 1~5), and 3.52±.50 (range of scale 1~5), respectively. Infertility stress had a negative correlation with quality of life (r=-.709, p<.001). Sexual satisfaction had a negative correlation with infertility stress (r=-.332, p<.001), and positive correlation with quality of life (r=.543, p<.001). Sexual satisfaction did not have moderating effects on the relationship between infertility stress and quality of life. However, sexual satisfaction showed mediating effects between infertility stress and quality of life. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it is necessary to provide infertile women with the counseling on their sexual problems, and the intervention programs for infertile women is expected to help them cope and adapt with their personal and marital problems, reduce their stress, and thus promote their quality of life.
Counseling ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility* ; Korea ; Negotiating* ; Orgasm* ; Quality of Life*