Abstract
Purpose: To clarify the characteristics and related factors of mothers assessed as at high risk for child abuse after childbirth by public health nurses.
Methods: We analyzed 49 maternal and child health consultation documents that were recorded in city A in 2014. The data included the patient's basic attributes, family-related factors, preparation made during maternity, health- and life-related issues, and the need for support, all of which assessed by public health nurses. We performed t-tests, chi-square tests, and Fisher’s exact tests to clarify the characteristics and related factors that influence mothers who would be at high risk for child abuse after childbirth.
Results: A total of 27 mothers were found to be at low risk for child abuse (55.1%), and 22 were considered to be at high risk for child abuse (44.9%). There were significant between-group differences in the percentages of mothers who had unscheduled prenatal check-ups, unprepared hospitalization reservations, poor knowledge about maternal preparation, a possibility of worsening chronic diseases, and who required encouragement from public health nurses to make a clinic visit.
Conclusions: The results suggested that public health nurses should provide support for undergoing regular prenatal check-ups and the psychophysical condition of pregnant women at high risk for child abuse after childbirth.
