Date of Last Revision
2023-05-03 02:42:09
Major
Exercise Science - PrePhysical Therapy
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Fall 2017
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated the negative implications that poor maternal nutrition has on morbidity and mortality for both the mother and the unborn child. Although malnutrition is known to make pregnant women susceptible to miscarriage or birth of a child with stunted growth and development, many Central American countries such as Honduras lack a screening tool to detect maternal malnutrition. The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot a screening protocol for malnutrition during pregnancy using best practice and evidence-based recommendations from the AND and the ACOG, and creating a training protocol for obstetric nurse education to foster sustainability of the experimental screening tool within the Honduran medical system. The results of testing performed on women in the public health center versus public hospital showed significant differences in blood glucose levels and fundal height measurements. A two-sample t-test of blood glucose (mg/dL) was statistically significant between the two groups, BG t(15)=4.463, p≤0.001 (d=38.4 mg/dL ±8.6 mg/dL). Relative risk assessment determined women in the hospital are 2.8x more likely to present with a low fundal height than those in the public health center, indicating underdevelopment of the fetus (φ =0.59). Upon completion, comparison of mothers who were evaluated in the public health center versus the public hospital demonstrated how prenatal care can positively influence maternal health and evaluation of six major factors (fetal heart rate, maternal heart rate, blood glucose, hemoglobin, fundal height and mid-arm circumference) can help to identify mothers who potentially present as an at-risk pregnancy due to malnutrition.
Research Sponsor
Brian Miller
First Reader
Ronald Otterstetter
Second Reader
Tanya Falcone
Recommended Citation
LaMontagne, Maria; Miller, Brian; and Falcone, Tanya, "Development and implementation of a nutritional-risk screening procedure for pregnant mothers in a Honduran community hospital system" (2017). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 587.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/587
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Women's Health Commons