The Effect of Instructional Guidelines on Pregnant Women’s Perception Regarding Urinary Tract Infection

Background: Urinary tract diseases (UTIs) are the foremost predominant diseases in pregnancy, counting for about 20% of all pregnancies. Moreover, they are responsible for 10% of all hospitalizations during pregnancy. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate effect of instructional guidelines on pregnant women’s perception regarding urinary tract infection. Design: A quasi-experimental research design was used at this study. Setting: The study was conducted in Obstetric and Gynecological clinic in El Hussein Hospital Al-azar University. Sample: A purposive sample of ninety-six pregnant women with urinary tract infection. Tools: The study utilized two assessment tools: a Structured Interviewing Questionnaire and Likert scale of women attitudes for pregnant women regarding urinary tract infection (UTI). Results: The findings of the study indicated that prior to the application of instructional guidelines, more than two-thirds of the pregnant women had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge about UTI. However, after the application of the guidelines, more than three-thirds of them demonstrated satisfactory knowledge. Similarly, nearly three-quarters of the participants held a negative attitude towards UTI before the guidelines, whereas after the guideline's application, more than three-thirds of them displayed a positive attitude. Conclusion: Based on these results, it can be concluded that the instructional guidelines effectively improved both the knowledge and attitude of the pregnant women towards UTI, thereby supporting the research hypothesis. Recommendations: The study recommends the implementation of routine screening for UTIs in all pregnant women during each trimester of pregnancy, including bacteriuria examination and urine culture, to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate treatment

The relationship between vitamin D deficiency and preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with several adverse pregnancy outcomes. Aim: The current study aimed to determine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and preeclampsia. Research Design: A case control design. Setting: The study was conducted at the antenatal clinic at Al zahraa hospital – Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. Sample: Purposive sample (120 pregnant women), was divided into study group (n=60) and control group (n=60). Tools: Two tools for data collection. First tool: A structured interviewing questionnaire which used to assess demographic data, obstetrical history, family history, physical examination to diagnose preeclampsia and laboratory investigation to confirm the diagnosis. Second tool: Serum vitamin D levels of both groups were measured by using an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Result: Significant lower mean vitamin D of study group compared to control group with highly statistical significant difference between both groups. In addition, there were 3-fold increased odds of developing preeclampsia in pregnant women who had vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml). Also, observed that when vitamin D level decreases, the severity of preeclampsia increases.  &nbsp

Knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women regarding folic acid supplementation

Background: Folic acid (FA) supplementation is an important intervention to avoid complications during pregnancy on the women and fetus. Aim of the study: To assess knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women regarding folic acid supplementation. Design: A descriptive design was used. Setting: The study was conducted at antenatal clinical at Badr University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Sample: A Convenience sample was utilized to recruit 120 pregnant women. Tools: Three tools for data collection were used. First tool: A structured interviewing questionnaire to assess demographic data, obstetric and menstrual history. Second tool: Pregnant women's knowledge regarding folic acid supplementation. Third tool: Pregnant women's attitudes regarding folic acid supplementation. Results: The current study showed about the majority of pregnant women having low level of knowledge regarding folic acid supplementation, while the half of pregnant women had negative attitudes regarding folic acid supplementation during pregnancy. Conclusion: the study pregnant women had unsatisfactory level of knowledge and negative attitudes regarding folic acid supplementation. Recommendation: Developing program to increase awareness regarding folic acid supplementation among pregnant women. &nbsp