Use of Reproductive Life Plans among Men and Women of Childbearing Age. Issue 1 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Byrnes, Lorraine
• Is Part Of: Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing. Volume 44:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: S64
• Page End: S64
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Maternity nursing -- Periodicals; Gynecologic nursing -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Care -- Periodicals; Pediatric nursing -- Periodicals; Genital Diseases, Female -- nursing; Obstetrical Nursing; Pediatric Nursing; 618.2
• DOI: 10.1111/1552-6909.12636
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0884-2175

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jogn12636-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Poster Presentation</title> <sec id="jogn12636-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To describe knowledge, attitudes, and use of reproductive life plans (RLPs) and preconception care (PCC).</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12636-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>Qualitative descriptive using a semistructured interview guide.</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12636-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Setting</title> <p>A large public, urban, college campus.</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12636-sec-0050" sec-type="section"> <title>Sample</title> <p>Male and female college students (<italic>N</italic> = 12) between ages 18 and 30.</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12636-sec-0060" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Face‐to‐face interviews conducted by two researchers over an 8‐month period until saturation was achieved.</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12636-sec-0070" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Although the majority of participants in this study thought about and developed loosely structured plans about their reproductive future, there were many identified gaps in knowledge and utilization of RLPs. Four themes emerged from the gathered data: a formalized plan was an unfamiliar concept, initiation of a more formalized conceptualization was age dependent, developmental skills affected attitudes and use of RLPs, and sources of information (knowledge) were not based on evidence.</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12636-sec-0080" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice</title> <p>Findings suggest that knowledge, attitudes and use of RLPs are uncertain, at best. Clarifying the concept of RLPs is crucial to the development of health care interventions to promote knowledge and use of RLPs. Further studies should be conducted to assess the effect of RLPs on use of PCC and the reduction of unintended pregnancy. The RLP is a valid concept, but education and policy issues must be addressed to improve rates of use.</p> </sec> </sec> </abstract>