Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing  2003;9(3):299-308

Nurse's Perceptions and Educational Intentions Regarding Natural Childbirth Control Methods.

Chai Soon PARK 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Bodily changes in ovulation phase; Educational intention; Natural childbirth control; Perception; Sexual autonomy

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was designed to identify nurses' perceptions and educational intentions regarding natural childbirth control (NCC) methods. METHOD: The participants were 313 nurses working at three general hospitals in Seoul. They were asked to complete a questionnaire composed of scales measuring knowledge and perceptions childbirth control methods, awareness of bodily changes in ovulation phase, perceptions of fetal life, which were developed by the author. Also, Chang's (2002) Sexual Autonomy Inventory was utilized. The data were analyzed by the SAS program. RESULTS: Methods of condom and rhythm were considered to be more useful for childbirth control than other methods. Only 34-54% of them knew exactly about the NCC methods using menstrual cycle, body temperature, and mucus. The mean scores of sexual autonomy and awareness of bodily changes in ovulation phase were 3.8 and 3.4 out of 5, in respect. Educational intention was different statistically by the age, marital status, future intention to use NCC methods, and perception of educational need for NCC methods. CONCLUSION: Nurses' perceptions and educational intentions regarding NCC were low, especially in nurses who were married. It is recommended to encourage nurses to learn NCC methods for clients education.