Salient Beliefs in the Intention for Self-Care Behaviors when Facing Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnant Women

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy represent a maternal and perinatal health problem. Therefore, it is important to identify the beliefs preceding the determinants of health beha-viors during pregnancy. Objective: To identify the salient beliefs in the intention for self-care behaviors when facing hypertensive disorders in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study with a quantitative approach guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior. Each questionnaire was designed and its semantic vali-dity was assessed. The sample was convenience one and included 114 pregnant women enrolled in prenatal control at a health insti-tution from Piedecuesta, Santander, who answered the questionnaire via telephone calls between January and February of 2022. Data analysis was descriptive, resorting to absolute and relative frequencies. Results: The positive behavioral beliefs were focused on the mother’s proper nutrition, the baby’s healthy growth and de-velopment, disease prevention and control during pregnancy, the mother’s relaxation and peace of mind, and blood pressure control and monitoring. Regarding normative beliefs, health personnel, mo-thers, husbands, and family members exert positive influences on each behavior. The following were acknowledged among the control beliefs: visiting family members promotes the practice of physical exercises; at the nutritional level, there is a habit of preferring low-salt preparations; both family and social support and habit and preference favor the consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes and meats; lack of habit avoids the consumption of fats, flours, sugars, caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes; purchase power favors calcium in-take; taking a previous shower promotes rest and sleep, and going to pharmacies allows controlling blood pressure. Conclusions: Identifying the salient beliefs allowed determining those that need to be reinforced, negotiated, or restructured in achieving self-care behaviors when facing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.