Planned and unplanned pregnancy: effects on health practice and depression during pregnancy.

AIM: The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence and characteristics of women with unplanned pregnancy (UP) and to examine the associations between pregnancy planning status and women's health practice and depression during pregnancy in Manisa, Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted with pregnant women (n=550) who attended a state hospital for antenatal care in Manisa, Turkey. Health practices of women during pregnancy were assessed with the Health Practices Questionnaire (HPQ II) and depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Of the 550 pregnancies, 149 (27.1%) were unplanned. Women whose pregnancies were planned were likely to be younger, more educated, employed, to perceive more social support and to be more satisfied in marriage life than women whose pregnancies were unplanned. The number of pregnancies, births and children was higher in women whose pregnancies were unplanned. Women with UP had significantly lower HPQ scores (mean 118.4, SD=13.5) than women with planned pregnancies (mean 124.0, SD=14.1). Women with UP also had a significantly higher score for BDI (mean 10.3, SD 6.9 vs mean 8.1, SD 5.8). CONCLUSIONS: Women with UP had engaged in fewer healthy practices and experienced more depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Health-care providers should screen for UP at an early stage and offer health education programs to help women to develop positive health practices and to improve their emotional health.

Knowledge about cervical cancer, pap test and barriers towards cervical screening of women in Turkey.

We aimed to identify knowledge about cervical cancer (CC) and Pap test (PT) and the barriers why women do not have Pap test done. The study was conducted with a sample of 1,036 women. Overall, 64.4 % had heard of CC, 43.1 % had heard about PT and 24.7 % had had a test at least once. It was determined that women had moderate knowledge of cervical cancer but poor knowledge of Pap test. Knowledge of CC and PT was significantly better among employed and single women, who had higher education, no prior delivery, a higher income level and regular gynaecological examination. Common barriers to PT were lack of awareness, being uncomfortable with the procedure and not knowing where to go for a PT. Utilization of the PT will not increase unless knowledge is improved and barriers are eliminated. Healthcare professionals are the key persons to provide both knowledge and facilities towards the goal of CC prevention.