Determinants of health literacy of pregnant women

Czech version

Authors: Radka Wilhemová ^1,2; Drahoslava Hrubá ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Ústav preventivního lékařství LF MU, přednostka prof. MUDr. Zuzana Brázdová, CSc. ¹; Katedra porodní asistence LF MU, přednosta doc. MUDr. Igor Crha, CSc. ²
Published in: Prakt Gyn 2013; 17(3): 244-251
Category: Gynecological Nursing: Review Article

Overview

Health literacy which should be the main aim of primary prevention in prenatal care is very important determinant of woman´s and child´s health. In this matter the role of midwives is irreplaceable. Healthy lifestyle during pregnancy supporting physiological prenatal and postnatal development of a child is the result of parents´ health literacy. Health illiteracy has immense consequences for health of society in a form of health defects, difficulties, complications and illnesses during pregnancy, childbirth or later in woman´s and child´s life. Extra costs paid for treatment are next important form of these consequences. Empirical evidence coming from various human or animal studies shows that unhealthy lifestyle and risky habits of mothers - both parents before conception or in postnatal period can play its role in etiology of different health defects and developmental abnormalities. This research “ex post facto” focused on description of today´s situation as well as on main determinants of health literacy in case of pregnant women. There was used a questionnaire method and an evaluation of chosen anthropometric parameters. The result of this work showed that health literacy is growing with higher level of education and it is better in women who are in long term contact with a midwife during their pregnancy. Unfortunately the service of midwives is not being used by the sufficient number of women.

Key words:
education – health literacy – holistic care – midwife – pregnancy – prenatal care – primary prevention – reproductive health

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