Determinants of perceived discharge readiness among Chinese primiparous women: a cross-sectional study

Determinants of perceived discharge readiness among Chinese primiparous women: a cross-sectional study | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Determinants of perceived discharge readiness among Chinese primiparous women: a cross-sectional study Qiaomin Huang, Dongmei Duan, Ganxia Kong, Lili Zhou, Lizhen Su, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6367863/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Discharge readiness is essential for postpartum care, as it mitigates risks during the transition from hospital to home. Inadequate discharge readiness persists among primiparas due to their inherent inexperience and today's changing maternal profile. However, evidence regarding discharge readiness status and its determinants among Chinese primiparas remains limited. Addressing this gap is crucial for developing targeted interventions to improve postpartum care quality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess perceived discharge readiness among primiparous women in China and identify its associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital in Dongguan, China, from November 2024 to January 2025. Data were collected from 337 primiparous women using the Chinese version of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form (RHDS-NMF), the Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form (PDCDS-NMF), the Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale (SAPWS) and the Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale (MRAQS). The questionnaires on demographic and obstetric characteristics through a self-designed general information questionnaire. Independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate linear regression were employed to examine group variations and determine independent factors influencing discharge readiness ( p < 0.05). Results The total score for discharge preparation among primiparous women was 127.86 ± 24.64 points (mean score per item: 7.10 ± 1.37 points), indicating a level of discharge preparation that was slightly below average. The place of residence, mode of delivery, presence of postpartum health problems, self-assessed confidence in caring for newborns, and self-care ability during the puerperium were independent factors influencing readiness for hospital discharge among primiparous women ( P < 0.001). Conclusion Primiparas exhibited suboptimal discharge readiness, with residence, delivery mode, and self-care capacity emerging as key modifiable determinants. These findings warrant tailored discharge protocols addressing these specific factors. Primiparous mothers Postpartum care Discharge preparation Personalized guidance Self-care ability Figures Figure 1 Introduction Childbirth marks a pivotal physiological and psychological transition in a woman's life, initiating a complex postpartum adaptation process. During this period, mothers undergo significant multidimensional changes, encompassing hormonal fluctuations, tissue repair, and psychological adjustment to parenthood. The post-discharge phase presents particular challenges, as women must simultaneously navigate self-recovery and neonatal care demands. Common stressors include but are not limited to breastfeeding difficulty, parenting-related anxiety, and chronic sleep fragmentation. These cumulative stressors may not only impede maternal recuperation but also predispose mothers to clinically significant complications such as puerperal infections and postpartum hemorrhage, thereby increasing the risk to both short-term and long-term health outcomes[ 1 ].As first-time mothers, primiparous women face compounded risks due to their unique vulnerabilities. Their lack of parenting experience and infant care skills may precipitate feelings of helplessness and anxiety, which are associated with impaired mother–infant bonding (e.g., reduced responsive caregiving) and poorer family psychological well-being, further exacerbating the caregiver burden within household systems[ 2 ]. Empirical studies indicate that the global prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) among primiparous women ranges from 15–20%[ 3 ]. In China, despite variations in sociocultural contexts, the reported PPD prevalence remains clinically significant at 10%-20%[ 4 , 5 ], underscoring the universality of this challenge. This evidence collectively calls for structured postpartum interventions that address both psychosocial support and practical caregiving competencies, with particular attention to primiparous populations. While systematic postpartum interventions are urgently needed for primiparous women, their implementation faces structural barriers due to evolving healthcare delivery models. With the ongoing reform of the healthcare system, the trend towards reducing hospital length of stay (LOS) has become increasingly prevalent[ 6 ]. This compressed hospitalization period, however, often limits opportunities for comprehensive postpartum education, leaving mothers inadequately prepared for post-discharge challenges—a gap further widened by sociocultural factors. In many communities, deep-rooted traditional customs continue to shape postpartum practices. Empirical evidence indicates that certain perinatal behaviors (e.g., abstaining from bathing and oral hygiene during puerperium) persist. These practices, compounded by truncated hospital stays, create a "dual-risk" scenario: medically unsupported recovery behaviors intersect with insufficient discharge preparedness, epidemiologically elevating the incidence of puerperal infections and febrile morbidity[ 7 ]. Discharge preparation serves as a critical safeguard against these compounded risks, aiming to equip postpartum families with the necessary skills to manage both maternal recovery and neonatal care. However, when discharge readiness is inadequate, the consequences are multidimensional: clinically, it elevates the risk of complications and hospital readmissions; psychologically, it triggers a vicious cycle of delayed recovery, heightened parenting stress, and anxiety[ 8 , 9 ]; and in terms of role adaptation, it impairs the development of maternal self-care skills and weakens maternal identity [ 10 – 13 ]. Given the current healthcare landscape of shortened hospital stays and persistent cultural practices, accurately assessing discharge readiness and optimizing discharge planning are pivotal to ensuring a smooth postpartum transition and improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes[ 14 , 15 ]. Despite the critical role of discharge readiness in postpartum care, current research faces three major challenges. First, the absence of standardized assessment tools and comprehensive health education frameworks impedes cross-regional and cross-cultural comparisons [ 16 , 17 ], as well as insufficient understanding of how demographic changes like rising cesarean rates and delayed childbearing impact discharge preparedness [ 18 ]. In China, traditional confinement practices create unique challenges where despite providing familial support, the lack of evidence-based guidance often leads to improper nursing behaviors, psychological neglect, and difficulties in maternal role adaptation [ 19 ]. Furthermore, while factors such as quality discharge guidance [ 20 ], delivery mode, infant feeding method, maternal–infant health status [ 21 , 22 ], and social support have been identified as significant correlates of discharge readiness [ 23 ], these findings primarily derive from multiparous populations, leaving a substantial knowledge gap regarding readiness for hospital discharge (RHD) and its determinants specifically among primiparous women. Therefore, this study aims to explore the current situation of the discharge readiness of primiparas' mothers, identify their deficiencies in discharge preparation, and explore the influencing factors to provide a theoretical basis for clinical intervention. Materials and methods Study design and participants This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2024 to January 2025 at a major comprehensive maternal‒child medical center in Dongguan, China. The inclusion criteria were: (1) primiparous women preparing for hospital discharge; (2) aged ≥ 20 years with singleton pregnancy; (3) delivered a healthy newborn; (4) demonstrated adequate communication skills without severe physical comorbidities. The exclusion criteria were: (1) a diagnosis of psychological/psychiatric disorders; (2) presence of severe postpartum complications (e.g., major hemorrhage, sepsis) or uncontrolled chronic diseases. Sample size Sample size estimation was performed using Kendall's method, accounting for 26 measured variables and an anticipated 20% dropout rate. The calculated minimum required sample size ranged from 163 to 325 participants. To mitigate potential sampling bias and ensure adequate statistical power, we ultimately enrolled 337 participants. Sociodemographic and obstetrical characteristics Sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics were assessed through a researcher-developed questionnaire, including age, education level, residential location, employment status, marital status, payment method for medical expenses, family economic situation, participation in maternity classes, sources of pregnancy and childcare knowledge, maternity leave duration, mode of delivery, primary caregiver, self-assessed confidence in newborn care, and postpartum health issues. Questionnaires The Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form (RHDS-NMF) The Chinese version of Weiss's Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form (RHDS-NMF)[ 24 , 25 ], cross-culturally adapted in 2020, was used to assess discharge readiness among primiparous women. This scale comprises four dimensions: personal status, disease knowledge, post-discharge coping ability, and social support. It includes 19 items, each scored on a 0–10 scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 180, with higher scores indicating greater readiness for discharge. Readiness for discharge was categorized on the basis of the mean score: low (< 7), moderate (7–7.9), high (8–8.9), and very high (≥ 9). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.90. The Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form (PDCDS-NMF) The Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form (PDCDS-NMF), revised into Chinese by Li et al.[ 26 ] on the basis of the original scale developed by Weiss et al.[ 25 ], was used. This scale assesses various aspects related to new mothers, including stress levels, recovery progress, self-management abilities, family difficulties, emotional needs, and adaptability. The scale comprises 10 items, each scored on a scale from 0 to 10. The total score is calculated by summing all item scores and dividing by the number of items. Higher scores indicate greater difficulties faced by new mothers after discharge. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.97. The Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale (SAPWS) The Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale (SAPWS)[ 27 ] was used to assess the self-care abilities of postpartum women. It comprises three dimensions with 42 items: self-care attitudes, self-care knowledge, and self-care skills. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 to 5, with total scores ranging from 42 to 210. A higher score indicates stronger self-care ability. A total score > 187 indicates good self-care ability, 160–187 indicates average self-care ability, and < 160 indicates insufficient self-care ability. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability of this scale are 0.938, 0.952, and 0.830, respectively. The Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale (MRAQS) The Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale (MRAQS)[ 28 ] was used to evaluate the degree of maternal role adaptation among participants. The scale comprises four subscales with 16 items addressing the impact of the infant on daily life, maternal role satisfaction, infant care competence, and maternal beliefs. The items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The total scores range from 16 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater maternal role adaptation. Specifically, scores ≤ 47 reflect poor adaptation, scores ranging from 48–63 reflect moderate adaptation, and scores ranging from 64–80 reflect good adaptation. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for this scale is 0.862. Ethical Consideration and Procedure Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the study hospital (approval number: No. 2024–156). All eligible participants were informed of the voluntary nature of the study and the principles of confidentiality, and they signed informed consent forms. Data collection Data collection for this study was conducted via two approaches: onsite completion and the return of paper-based questionnaires and the distribution of online questionnaires through the WeChat Questionnaire Star platform. To ensure the validity of the questionnaires, online responses completed in less than 300 seconds were excluded. Statistical analyses Statistical analyses were conducted via SPSS version 26. Categorical variables are presented as frequencies and percentages, whereas continuous variables that followed a normal distribution are summarized as the means ± standard deviations. Independent t tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine primiparous women's readiness for hospital discharge via univariate analysis. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between RHDS-NMF and PDCDS-NMF, SAPWS, and MRAQS during puerperium. Multivariate linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with readiness for hospital discharge, with variables selected on the basis of their significance in the univariate analysis. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results A total of 397 primiparous women met the inclusion criteria; however, 38 declined participation for various reasons, resulting in 359 participants completing the survey. After the exclusion of invalid questionnaires, 337 valid responses were included, yielding a response rate of 93.87%. The specific exclusion criteria are outlined in Figure 1. The characteristics of and differences in RHD among primiparous women The mean age of the primiparous women was 28.86 ± 3.75 years (range: 20–42 years). Among them, 44.4% had a bachelor’s degree or higher, 50.9% resided in town areas, and 69.2% were employed. Most participants (85.2%) had not attended maternity school. Approximately half (52.1%) reported acquiring knowledge about pregnancy and childcare from the internet or television. Additionally, 65.1% had vaginal deliveries, and 55.6% reported their husbands as their primary caregivers. A differential analysis was conducted on the basis of the sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of the participants. Significant differences were observed in residential location, mode of delivery, self-assessed confidence in newborn care, and postpartum health issues among primiparous women ( P < 0.05). More details can be found in Table 1. The RHDS-NMF, PDCDS-NMF, SAPWS and MRAQS among primiparous women The total score for primiparous women's readiness for discharge was 127.86 ± 24.64, with an average item score of 7.10 ± 1.37. For item 1, "Do you think you are ready to return home as planned?" A total of 297 participants (87.9%) indicated that they were ready to be discharged and return home, whereas 41 participants (12.1%) indicated that they were not ready. The scores indicate a moderately low level of overall readiness. The average item scores of the dimensions, ranked from highest to lowest, were social support, personal status, post-discharge coping ability, and disease knowledge. The scores for the Post-discharge Coping Difficulty Scale (4.55 ± 1.28), the Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale (181.81 ± 19.80), and the Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale (68.13 ± 7.46) were all moderate. More details can be found in Table 2. Multivariate linear regression analysis of primiparous women's readiness for hospital discharge Scores on the Post-discharge Coping Difficulty Scale, the Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale, and the Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire were entered as continuous variables, whereas other variables were coded categorically. The Durbin–Watson value was 2.096, indicating a high probability of independent observations. The regression model was statistically significant overall (adjusted R ² = 0.321, F = 18.662, P < 0.001). The main factors affecting primiparous women's readiness for discharge were residential location, mode of delivery, postpartum health issues, self-assessed confidence in neonatal care, and scores on the Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale. More details can be found in Table 3. Discussion This study utilized the validated Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form (RHDS-NMF) to systematically assess discharge preparedness among Chinese primiparous women and identify its key determinants. The results indicated that readiness for hospital discharge among primiparous women in China was moderately low, with the highest scores in the social support dimension and the lowest scores in the disease knowledge dimension. Additionally, living in urban areas, vaginal delivery, self-assessed nursing confidence, and self-care ability were positively correlated with readiness for hospital discharge, whereas postpartum health issues were negatively correlated with this level. Concurrently, the participation rate of primiparous women in health education was relatively low, with most acquiring postpartum-related knowledge, primarily from online platforms or social media. These findings underscore the need to further enhance the discharge education system. In this study, the total score of primiparas' readiness for hospital discharge was 127.86 ± 24.64, with an average item score of 7.10 ± 1.37. These results were lower than those reported by Weiss[ 25 ] and Xia[ 29 ], but higher than those reported by Xu et al[ 30 ]. Notably, Weiss’s study included multiparas, whereas the present study focused exclusively on primiparas. The complexity and persistence of postpartum health issues not only cause physical and emotional discomfort in mothers but also reduce their readiness for discharge[ 31 ]. Furthermore, research has shown that 82% of mothers are readmitted to the hospital within 20 days of discharge due to late postpartum hemorrhage[ 32 ]. Additionally, family relationship issues arising from the birth of a newborn can lead to an increased incidence of postpartum depression[ 33 ]. For primiparas, who were experiencing childbirth and parenting for the first time, a lack of confidence in postpartum self-care and newborn care often made them more prone to anxiety, thus posing greater challenges to their readiness for discharge[ 34 ]. Moreover, the scale used in this study, specifically designed for postpartum women, offered a more targeted assessment than the general scale used by Xu et al. This enabled more precise identification of specific needs across various dimensions among postpartum women[ 24 ]. Despite elderly primiparas (≥ 35 years) comprising only 6.2% of the sample, their readiness for hospital discharge scores were significantly lower. Elderly primiparas face greater physiological and psychological stress during childbirth, experience relatively slower postpartum recovery, and have a greater risk of complications[ 35 ]. Additionally, these women often exhibited insufficient confidence in learning new knowledge, adapting to their new roles as mothers, and in self-care and newborn care after discharge. They also experienced higher levels of fatigue during puerperium than other age groups did[ 36 ]. Therefore, healthcare providers need to offer primiparous women more knowledge related to postpartum recovery and diseases within a limited amount of time to enhance their coping abilities after discharge. For elderly primiparas, particular attention should be given to their physical recovery and understanding of complication-related knowledge. Moreover, family members should be encouraged to provide more care and support to alleviate the burden of newborn care on postpartum women, ensuring that they have sufficient rest. Regression analyses indicated that residential location, mode of delivery, postpartum health issues, self-assessed confidence in newborn care, and self-care ability during puerperium were the primary factors influencing primiparous women's readiness for hospital discharge. The readiness for hospital discharge score among primiparous women residing in rural areas was 112.79 ± 37.49, which was low, which is consistent with previous findings[ 37 ]. The reasons for this may be the scarcity of medical resources, shortage of professional healthcare workers, and inadequate postpartum follow-up in rural areas, all of which hinder timely professional guidance for mothers[ 38 ]. Additionally, inadequate family support, due to spouses working away from home or health issues among elders, increases the burden of childcare and self-care for mothers[ 39 ]. In this study, compared with vaginal delivery, cesarean section significantly reduced mothers' willingness to be discharged, which aligns with the findings of Xia et al[ 29 ]. Pronounced pain following cesarean section negatively impacts mothers' receptiveness to health education, thereby diminishing their self-care ability. Therefore, it is recommended that the government and social support for rural mothers be strengthened, family care capabilities be enhanced, and community resources and modern technological means be utilized to provide enhanced postpartum care and support. For mothers who undergo cesarean section, particular attention should be given to postoperative wound recovery and pain management, with targeted predischarge education to increase the effectiveness of discharge education. Confidence in newborn care is a crucial factor in discharge preparation. The complexity of newborn care and changes in the postpartum environment pose significant challenges to postpartum women, whereas confidence in newborn care directly influences their psychological adaptation and family life after discharge[ 40 ]. In our study, approximately 46% of postpartum women expressed high confidence in caring for their newborns, which was higher than expected. The analysis revealed that most of these women were in relatively good economic condition and planned to attend a postpartum care center, hire a professional maternity nurse, or receive assistance from elders. These findings indicate that economic conditions and family support play significant roles in enhancing postpartum women's confidence. In contrast, women with poor economic conditions or inadequate family support may face greater psychological stress and caregiving challenges after discharge[ 41 ]. Therefore, accurate assessment of the needs of pregnant women is essential for developing personalized support plans for impoverished primiparous mothers. Community resources should be fully utilized, and mutual assistance among families and relatives should be enhanced. Affordable health education and self-care guidance should be provided, and the development of psychological support networks should be prioritized. Practical parenting skills training should be implemented, and access to economic assistance and resources should be actively facilitated. Additionally, advocacy for government and societal attention to this issue is imperative. Efforts should be directed towards promoting the formulation and implementation of relevant policies to comprehensively improve the postpartum support environment for impoverished primiparous mothers. The ability to perform self-care during puerperium is a crucial skill for postpartum women, directly impacting their recovery and the quality of neonatal care after discharge[ 42 ]. Studies indicate that women with stronger self-care abilities are more proactive in managing their health during the recovery process[ 43 ]. In this study, the self-care ability score among primiparous women was 181.81 ± 19.80, indicating a moderate level. Furthermore, the readiness for hospital discharge scale revealed that coping abilities and disease knowledge had the lowest scores[ 10 ]. Effective interventions can facilitate smooth transitions across different stages of recovery and significantly reduce the incidence of adverse events after discharge. Therefore, healthcare professionals should prioritize enhancing the self-management knowledge and abilities of postpartum women to minimize potential risks. Given that 52.1% of the parturients in our study reported obtaining knowledge through multimedia, medical practitioners should consider leveraging digital technologies and multimedia resources to provide comprehensive and continuous postpartum support. Limitations of the Study The present study acknowledges several limitations that should be considered when interpreting the findings. First, the study utilized a convenience sample drawn from a single site, which may restrict the generalizability of the results to broader populations. Future research should prioritize the use of more diverse and representative samples to enhance the external validity of the findings. Second, the cross-sectional design of the study limits the ability to establish causal relationships between variables. Longitudinal studies are recommended to better elucidate the dynamic nature of discharge readiness and its influencing factors over time. Finally, the reliance on self-reported data may introduce potential biases. Future research would benefit from incorporating objective measures or multiple data sources to strengthen the robustness of the findings. Conclusion The present study revealed that the discharge readiness of primiparous women in China is relatively low, particularly with respect to coping ability after discharge, disease knowledge, and self-care ability. To address these deficiencies, it is recommended that discharge planning be optimized and that educational content and methods be enhanced. Specifically, the use of digital technology to provide remote and timely support for mothers post-discharge is proposed. Furthermore, strengthening collaboration with community hospitals is suggested to facilitate the dissemination of health-related knowledge on family self-care to mothers and their families, thereby reinforcing the support system available to mothers. Abbreviations RHD Readiness for hospital discharge RHDS-NMF Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form PDCDS-NMF Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form SAPWS Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale MRAQS Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Dongguan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital (approval number: No. 2024--156). This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Consent for publication Written informed consent was obtained from all participants for the publication of their data. Availability of data and material The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. Funding This study was funded by the Dongguan Sci-tech Commissioner Program (No. 20231800500372), Funds for PHD researchers of Guangdong Medical University in 2024, 4SG24299G and Funds for PHD researchers of Guangdong Medical University in 2021, 4SG20215P. Author contributions HQ and HL conceptualized the study and designed the methodology. KG, ZL, and SL performed data curation and formal investigation. DD contributed to statistical analysis and validation. CZ conducted data interpretation and visualization. HQ wrote the original draft. CY supervised the project and revised the manuscript critically for intellectual content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Acknowledgements The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the participants for their invaluable cooperation and contributions to this study. 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Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992). 2022;68:152-158. Basso B, Fogolin S, Danielis M, Mattiussi E. The Experiences of Family Members of Patients Discharged from Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies. Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy). 2024;14:1504-1516. Petersen AGP, Kolankiewicz ACB, Casagrande D, et al. Weaknesses in the Continuity of Care of Puerperal Women: An Integrative Literature Review. Revista brasileira de ginecologia e obstetricia : revista da Federacao Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetricia. 2023;45:e415-e421. Schmied V, Cooke M, Gutwein R, Steinlein E, Homer C. An evaluation of strategies to improve the quality and content of hospital-based postnatal care in a metropolitan Australian hospital. Journal of clinical nursing. 2009;18:1850-1861. Tables Table 1 Differences in RHD between/among basic information variables (n = 337) Variables N （ % ） RHD(M±SD) F/t P Age (years) 20-25 55(16.3) 128.58 ± 25.17 1.852 b 0.158 26-35 262(77.5) 128.50 ± 24.12 ≥35 21(6.2) 117.86 ± 28.60 Educational level Junior high school education or below 38(11.2) 128.97 ± 26.90 1.141 b 0.337 Senior High School 31(9.2) 126.77 ± 30.17 Junior College Diploma 119(35.2) 131.06 ± 22.26 Bachelor's degree or higher 150(44.4) 125.25 ± 24.55 Residential location Urban 138(40.8) 127.94 ± 23.30 6.227 b 0.002 Town 172(50.9) 130.24 ± 22.30 Rural 28(8.3) 112.79 ± 37.49 Employment status Unemployed 59(17.5) 126.58 ± 24.65 0.237 b 0.789 Employed 234(69.2) 128.47 ± 23.31 Farmers/private individuals 45(13.3) 126.33 ± 31.10 Marital Status Unmarried 15(4.4) 133.60 ± 23.71 0.958 a 0.353 Married 323(95.6) 127.59 ± 24.69 Payment Method for Medical Expenses Self-pay 18(5.3) 127.28 ± 31.77 0.783 b 0.458 Resident Medical Insurance 61(18) 124.34 ± 28.22 Employee Medical Insurance 259(76.6) 128.72 ± 23.19 Per capita monthly household income (yuan, RMB) < 5000 49(14.5) 121.69 ± 25.23 2.881 b 0.057 5000-8000 166(49.1) 127.08 ± 25.98 ≥8000 123(36.4) 131.35 ± 22.05 Maternity school Participated 50(14.8) 127.30 ± 22.78 -0.171 a 0.863 Not attended 288(85.2) 127.95 ± 24.99 Sources of Pregnancy and Childcare Knowledge Books, Magazines 24(7.1) 124.17 ± 29.47 0.537 b 0.708 Medical Staff 50(14.8) 131.86 ± 19.06 Family, Friends 85(25.1) 127.55 ± 27.02 Internet, TV 176(52.1) 127.49 ± 24.36 Maternity school 3(0.9) 120.67 ± 13.58 Maternity Leave Duration ≥6 months 157(46.4) 128.13 ± 23.56 0.207 b 0.813 <6 months 84(24.9) 126.40 ± 23.90 Self-employed/Unemployed 97(28.7) 128.67 ± 27.09 Mode of Delivery Vaginal delivery without laceration 92(26.6) 133.39 ± 23.42 3.361 b 0.036 Vaginal delivery with laceration 128(38.5) 126.54 ± 22.25 Cesarean section 118(34.9) 124.97 ± 27.40 Primary Caregiver Parents/In-laws 89(26.3) 130.9 ± 24.07 1.62 b 0.186 Husband 188(55.6) 126.12 ± 25.59 Maternity Nurse/Moon Center 61(18.0) 128.69 ± 22.28 Self-assessed Confidence in Newborn Care Low confidence 32(9.5) 104.00 ± 30.64 42.926 b <0.001 Confident 149(44.1) 121.72 ± 24.31 Very confident 157(46.4) 138.54 ± 17.24 Postpartum Health Issues Yes 149(44.1) 124.10 ± 28.29 -2.421 a 0.016 No 189(55.9) 130.81 ± 20.95 Notes: a Independent sample t-test; b one-way ANOVA. Table 2 The mean scores of the RHDS-NMF, PDCDS-NMF, SAPWS, and MRAQS (n = 337) Dimension Score ranges mean score Standardized mean score Min Max RHDS-NMF 0-180 127.86 ± 24.64 7.10 ± 1.37 55.00 180.00 Personal status 0-40 29.22 ± 6.37 7.30 ± 1.59 3.00 40.00 Disease knowledge 0-70 45.86 ± 11.74 6.55 ± 1.68 6.00 70.00 Post-discharge coping ability 0-30 20.02 ± 4.95 6.67 ± 1.65 5.00 30.00 Social support 0-70 32.76 ± 6.04 8.19 ± 1.51 9.00 40.00 PDCDS-NMF 0-10 4.55 ± 1.28 0.46 ± 0.13 0.30 7.90 SAPWS 42-21 181.81 ± 19.80 4.33 ± 0.47 122.00 210.00 Self-Care Attitude 8-40 36.20 ± 3.74 4.52 ± 0.47 18.00 40.00 Self-Care Knowledge 17-85 76.50 ± 7.69 4.50 ± 0.45 51.00 85.00 Self-Care Skills 17-85 69.12 ± 11.18 4.07 ± 0.66 31.00 85.00 MRAQS 16-80 68.13 ± 7.46 4.26 ± 0.47 44.00 80.00 Impact of Infant on daily Life 2-10 9.24 ± 1.15 4.62 ± 0.57 4.00 10.00 Maternal Role satisfaction 3-15 13.96 ± 1.48 4.65 ± 0.49 9.00 15.00 Infant Care competence 6-30 24.08 ± 3.77 4.01 ± 0.63 12.00 30.00 Maternal Beliefs 5-25 20.86 ± 2.79 4.17 ± 0.56 11.00 25.00 Notes: RHDS-NMF: Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form; PDCDS-NMF: Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form; SAPWS: Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale; MRAQS: Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale. Table 3 Results of the multiple linear regression analysis (Stepwise) (n = 337) Variables Unstandardized coefficients Standardized coefficients t P B Standard error Beta Constant term 35.190 16.170 2.17 6 0.03 PDCDS-NMF -0.793 1.071 -0.041 -0.740 0.46 SAPWS 0.338 0.084 0.271 4.027 <0.001 MRAQS 0.086 0.213 0.026 0.405 0.69 Residential location Town 3.401 2.374 0.069 1.433 0.15 Rural -13.479 4.270 -0.151 -3.157 0.002 Mode of Delivery Vaginal delivery with laceration -4.316 2.855 -0.085 -1.512 0.13 Cesarean section -6.569 2.875 -0.127 -2.285 0.02 Postpartum health Issues 4.436 2.297 0.090 1.931 0.05 Self-assessed Confidence in Newborn Care 12.58 1.96 0.33 6.43 <0.001 R = 0.582, R 2 = 0.339, adjusted R 2 = 0.321, F = 18.662, P < 0.001. Notes: PDCDS-NMF: Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form; SAPWS: Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale; MRAQS: Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6367863","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":452714063,"identity":"ce1509d0-f5b8-44b6-beed-a9112c1d6d58","order_by":0,"name":"Qiaomin Huang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"School of Nursing of Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Qiaomin","middleName":"","lastName":"Huang","suffix":""},{"id":452714064,"identity":"c7ff47c8-c1e9-420e-9e42-05970ea11804","order_by":1,"name":"Dongmei Duan","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Hospital","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Dongmei","middleName":"","lastName":"Duan","suffix":""},{"id":452714065,"identity":"acd8390a-b114-4a51-80e1-c3a2f731302c","order_by":2,"name":"Ganxia Kong","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Hospital","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ganxia","middleName":"","lastName":"Kong","suffix":""},{"id":452714066,"identity":"6b7a1821-ddd8-48b0-a1de-591edcbf3531","order_by":3,"name":"Lili Zhou","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Hospital","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lili","middleName":"","lastName":"Zhou","suffix":""},{"id":452714067,"identity":"1d0e53d5-5e36-44c5-b1e6-64c57b223a6e","order_by":4,"name":"Lizhen Su","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Hospital","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lizhen","middleName":"","lastName":"Su","suffix":""},{"id":452714068,"identity":"558a3eba-156d-4a69-bc45-d4e01520e1ca","order_by":5,"name":"Zheng’ ai Cui","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"School of Humanities and Management of Guangdong Medical University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zheng’","middleName":"ai","lastName":"Cui","suffix":""},{"id":452714069,"identity":"f91ea4d8-0ee3-4245-814e-8581dcecd934","order_by":6,"name":"Ying’ai Cui","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"School of Nursing of Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ying’ai","middleName":"","lastName":"Cui","suffix":""},{"id":452714070,"identity":"f9f20005-50ff-43f7-bb71-3c842a1a6db6","order_by":7,"name":"Lihua Huang","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAxklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACA3bGNiBlw8PY3tj44ANRWpjBWtJkmHsONxvOIE4LAxuQOmzDPiO9TZqDGC3mzMxtj3lq0nh4Zz5skGZgsJPTbSCgxbKZsd2Y55gNj+TsxAbjAoZkY7MDhBx2mLFNmoctjccQqCV5BsOBxG3Eafl3mMf+5sGGwzxEa+FtO8zDOIOxsZloLZJz+9J4GHsSmxlnGBDjl+PtzyTefLOxZ2w//vzHhwo7OYJa0E0gTfkoGAWjYBSMAhwAAObPQOYFIohsAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"School of Nursing of Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lihua","middleName":"","lastName":"Huang","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-04-03 09:23:25","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6367863/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6367863/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":82337291,"identity":"bc12a146-5359-4440-8355-878b3525fb64","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-09 08:34:51","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":99302,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eFlow diagram of the study participants\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6367863/v1/53617342f0796daab583be7c.png"},{"id":105890707,"identity":"d4cb885e-bb84-45a2-9292-4169e01c6f6b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-01 07:59:26","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1472607,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6367863/v1/c8610812-1999-4770-b4ca-340494e0b3f4.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Determinants of perceived discharge readiness among Chinese primiparous women: a cross-sectional study","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eChildbirth marks a pivotal physiological and psychological transition in a woman's life, initiating a complex postpartum adaptation process. During this period, mothers undergo significant multidimensional changes, encompassing hormonal fluctuations, tissue repair, and psychological adjustment to parenthood. The post-discharge phase presents particular challenges, as women must simultaneously navigate self-recovery and neonatal care demands. Common stressors include but are not limited to breastfeeding difficulty, parenting-related anxiety, and chronic sleep fragmentation. These cumulative stressors may not only impede maternal recuperation but also predispose mothers to clinically significant complications such as puerperal infections and postpartum hemorrhage, thereby increasing the risk to both short-term and long-term health outcomes[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e].As first-time mothers, primiparous women face compounded risks due to their unique vulnerabilities. Their lack of parenting experience and infant care skills may precipitate feelings of helplessness and anxiety, which are associated with impaired mother\u0026ndash;infant bonding (e.g., reduced responsive caregiving) and poorer family psychological well-being, further exacerbating the caregiver burden within household systems[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Empirical studies indicate that the global prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) among primiparous women ranges from 15\u0026ndash;20%[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. In China, despite variations in sociocultural contexts, the reported PPD prevalence remains clinically significant at 10%-20%[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e], underscoring the universality of this challenge. This evidence collectively calls for structured postpartum interventions that address both psychosocial support and practical caregiving competencies, with particular attention to primiparous populations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile systematic postpartum interventions are urgently needed for primiparous women, their implementation faces structural barriers due to evolving healthcare delivery models. With the ongoing reform of the healthcare system, the trend towards reducing hospital length of stay (LOS) has become increasingly prevalent[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. This compressed hospitalization period, however, often limits opportunities for comprehensive postpartum education, leaving mothers inadequately prepared for post-discharge challenges\u0026mdash;a gap further widened by sociocultural factors. In many communities, deep-rooted traditional customs continue to shape postpartum practices. Empirical evidence indicates that certain perinatal behaviors (e.g., abstaining from bathing and oral hygiene during puerperium) persist. These practices, compounded by truncated hospital stays, create a \"dual-risk\" scenario: medically unsupported recovery behaviors intersect with insufficient discharge preparedness, epidemiologically elevating the incidence of puerperal infections and febrile morbidity[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. Discharge preparation serves as a critical safeguard against these compounded risks, aiming to equip postpartum families with the necessary skills to manage both maternal recovery and neonatal care. However, when discharge readiness is inadequate, the consequences are multidimensional: clinically, it elevates the risk of complications and hospital readmissions; psychologically, it triggers a vicious cycle of delayed recovery, heightened parenting stress, and anxiety[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]; and in terms of role adaptation, it impairs the development of maternal self-care skills and weakens maternal identity [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR11 CR12\" citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. Given the current healthcare landscape of shortened hospital stays and persistent cultural practices, accurately assessing discharge readiness and optimizing discharge planning are pivotal to ensuring a smooth postpartum transition and improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite the critical role of discharge readiness in postpartum care, current research faces three major challenges. First, the absence of standardized assessment tools and comprehensive health education frameworks impedes cross-regional and cross-cultural comparisons [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e], as well as insufficient understanding of how demographic changes like rising cesarean rates and delayed childbearing impact discharge preparedness [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]. In China, traditional confinement practices create unique challenges where despite providing familial support, the lack of evidence-based guidance often leads to improper nursing behaviors, psychological neglect, and difficulties in maternal role adaptation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, while factors such as quality discharge guidance [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e], delivery mode, infant feeding method, maternal\u0026ndash;infant health status [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e], and social support have been identified as significant correlates of discharge readiness [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e], these findings primarily derive from multiparous populations, leaving a substantial knowledge gap regarding readiness for hospital discharge (RHD) and its determinants specifically among primiparous women.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTherefore, this study aims to explore the current situation of the discharge readiness of primiparas' mothers, identify their deficiencies in discharge preparation, and explore the influencing factors to provide a theoretical basis for clinical intervention.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy design and participants\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2024 to January 2025 at a major comprehensive maternal‒child medical center in Dongguan, China. The inclusion criteria were: (1) primiparous women preparing for hospital discharge; (2) aged\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;20 years with singleton pregnancy; (3) delivered a healthy newborn; (4) demonstrated adequate communication skills without severe physical comorbidities. The exclusion criteria were: (1) a diagnosis of psychological/psychiatric disorders; (2) presence of severe postpartum complications (e.g., major hemorrhage, sepsis) or uncontrolled chronic diseases.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSample size\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSample size estimation was performed using Kendall's method, accounting for 26 measured variables and an anticipated 20% dropout rate. The calculated minimum required sample size ranged from 163 to 325 participants. To mitigate potential sampling bias and ensure adequate statistical power, we ultimately enrolled 337 participants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSociodemographic and obstetrical characteristics\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSociodemographic and obstetric characteristics were assessed through a researcher-developed questionnaire, including age, education level, residential location, employment status, marital status, payment method for medical expenses, family economic situation, participation in maternity classes, sources of pregnancy and childcare knowledge, maternity leave duration, mode of delivery, primary caregiver, self-assessed confidence in newborn care, and postpartum health issues.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestionnaires\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eThe Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form (RHDS-NMF)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Chinese version of Weiss's Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form (RHDS-NMF)[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e], cross-culturally adapted in 2020, was used to assess discharge readiness among primiparous women. This scale comprises four dimensions: personal status, disease knowledge, post-discharge coping ability, and social support. It includes 19 items, each scored on a 0\u0026ndash;10 scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 180, with higher scores indicating greater readiness for discharge. Readiness for discharge was categorized on the basis of the mean score: low (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;7), moderate (7\u0026ndash;7.9), high (8\u0026ndash;8.9), and very high (\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;9). The Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha coefficient was 0.90.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eThe Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form (PDCDS-NMF)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form (PDCDS-NMF), revised into Chinese by Li et al.[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e] on the basis of the original scale developed by Weiss et al.[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e], was used. This scale assesses various aspects related to new mothers, including stress levels, recovery progress, self-management abilities, family difficulties, emotional needs, and adaptability. The scale comprises 10 items, each scored on a scale from 0 to 10. The total score is calculated by summing all item scores and dividing by the number of items. Higher scores indicate greater difficulties faced by new mothers after discharge. The Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha coefficient was 0.97.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale (SAPWS)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale (SAPWS)[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e] was used to assess the self-care abilities of postpartum women. It comprises three dimensions with 42 items: self-care attitudes, self-care knowledge, and self-care skills. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 to 5, with total scores ranging from 42 to 210. A higher score indicates stronger self-care ability. A total score\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;187 indicates good self-care ability, 160\u0026ndash;187 indicates average self-care ability, and \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;160 indicates insufficient self-care ability. The Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha coefficient, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability of this scale are 0.938, 0.952, and 0.830, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale (MRAQS)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale (MRAQS)[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e] was used to evaluate the degree of maternal role adaptation among participants. The scale comprises four subscales with 16 items addressing the impact of the infant on daily life, maternal role satisfaction, infant care competence, and maternal beliefs. The items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The total scores range from 16 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater maternal role adaptation. Specifically, scores\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;47 reflect poor adaptation, scores ranging from 48\u0026ndash;63 reflect moderate adaptation, and scores ranging from 64\u0026ndash;80 reflect good adaptation. The Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha coefficient for this scale is 0.862.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEthical Consideration and Procedure\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEthical approval\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003ewas obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the study hospital (approval number: No. 2024\u0026ndash;156). All eligible participants were informed of the voluntary nature of the study and the principles of confidentiality, and they signed informed consent forms.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData collection\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData collection for this study was conducted via two approaches: onsite completion and the return of paper-based questionnaires and the distribution of online questionnaires through the WeChat Questionnaire Star platform. To ensure the validity of the questionnaires, online responses completed in less than 300 seconds were excluded.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical analyses\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eStatistical analyses were conducted via SPSS version 26. Categorical variables are presented as frequencies and percentages, whereas continuous variables that followed a normal distribution are summarized as the means\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;standard deviations. Independent t tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine primiparous women's readiness for hospital discharge via univariate analysis. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between RHDS-NMF and PDCDS-NMF, SAPWS, and MRAQS during puerperium. Multivariate linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with readiness for hospital discharge, with variables selected on the basis of their significance in the univariate analysis. Statistical significance was set at \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eA total of 397 primiparous women met the inclusion criteria; however, 38 declined participation for various reasons, resulting in 359 participants completing the survey. After the exclusion of invalid questionnaires, 337 valid responses were included, yielding a response rate of 93.87%. The specific exclusion criteria are outlined in Figure 1.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe characteristics of and differences in RHD among primiparous women\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mean age of the primiparous women was 28.86 ± 3.75 years (range: 20–42 years). Among them, 44.4% had a bachelor’s degree or higher, 50.9% resided in town areas, and 69.2% were employed. Most participants (85.2%) had not attended maternity school. Approximately half (52.1%) reported acquiring knowledge about pregnancy and childcare from the internet or television. Additionally, 65.1% had vaginal deliveries, and 55.6% reported their husbands as their primary caregivers. A differential analysis was conducted on the basis of the sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of the participants. Significant differences were observed in residential location, mode of delivery, self-assessed confidence in newborn care, and postpartum health issues among primiparous women (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.05). More details can be found in Table 1.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe RHDS-NMF, PDCDS-NMF, SAPWS and MRAQS among primiparous women\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe total score for primiparous women's readiness for discharge was 127.86 ± 24.64, with an average item score of 7.10 ± 1.37. For item 1, \"Do you think you are ready to return home as planned?\" A total of 297 participants (87.9%) indicated that they were ready to be discharged and return home, whereas 41 participants (12.1%) indicated that they were not ready. The scores indicate a moderately low level of overall readiness. The average item scores of the dimensions, ranked from highest to lowest, were social support, personal status, post-discharge coping ability, and disease knowledge. The scores for the Post-discharge Coping Difficulty Scale (4.55 ± 1.28), the Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale (181.81 ± 19.80), and the Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale (68.13 ± 7.46) were all moderate. More details can be found in Table 2.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMultivariate linear regression analysis of primiparous women's readiness for hospital discharge\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScores on the Post-discharge Coping Difficulty Scale, the Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale, and the Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire were entered as continuous variables, whereas other variables were coded categorically. The Durbin–Watson value was 2.096, indicating a high probability of independent observations. The regression model was statistically significant overall (adjusted \u003cem\u003eR\u003c/em\u003e² = 0.321, \u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e = 18.662, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.001). The main factors affecting primiparous women's readiness for discharge were residential location, mode of delivery, postpartum health issues, self-assessed confidence in neonatal care, and scores on the Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale. More details can be found in Table 3.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study utilized the validated Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form (RHDS-NMF) to systematically assess discharge preparedness among Chinese primiparous women and identify its key determinants. The results indicated that readiness for hospital discharge among primiparous women in China was moderately low, with the highest scores in the social support dimension and the lowest scores in the disease knowledge dimension. Additionally, living in urban areas, vaginal delivery, self-assessed nursing confidence, and self-care ability were positively correlated with readiness for hospital discharge, whereas postpartum health issues were negatively correlated with this level. Concurrently, the participation rate of primiparous women in health education was relatively low, with most acquiring postpartum-related knowledge, primarily from online platforms or social media. These findings underscore the need to further enhance the discharge education system.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this study, the total score of primiparas' readiness for hospital discharge was 127.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;24.64, with an average item score of 7.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.37. These results were lower than those reported by Weiss[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e] and Xia[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e], but higher than those reported by Xu et al[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. Notably, Weiss\u0026rsquo;s study included multiparas, whereas the present study focused exclusively on primiparas. The complexity and persistence of postpartum health issues not only cause physical and emotional discomfort in mothers but also reduce their readiness for discharge[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, research has shown that 82% of mothers are readmitted to the hospital within 20 days of discharge due to late postpartum hemorrhage[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, family relationship issues arising from the birth of a newborn can lead to an increased incidence of postpartum depression[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e]. For primiparas, who were experiencing childbirth and parenting for the first time, a lack of confidence in postpartum self-care and newborn care often made them more prone to anxiety, thus posing greater challenges to their readiness for discharge[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e]. Moreover, the scale used in this study, specifically designed for postpartum women, offered a more targeted assessment than the general scale used by Xu et al. This enabled more precise identification of specific needs across various dimensions among postpartum women[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite elderly primiparas (\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;35 years) comprising only 6.2% of the sample, their readiness for hospital discharge scores were significantly lower. Elderly primiparas face greater physiological and psychological stress during childbirth, experience relatively slower postpartum recovery, and have a greater risk of complications[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, these women often exhibited insufficient confidence in learning new knowledge, adapting to their new roles as mothers, and in self-care and newborn care after discharge. They also experienced higher levels of fatigue during puerperium than other age groups did[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. Therefore, healthcare providers need to offer primiparous women more knowledge related to postpartum recovery and diseases within a limited amount of time to enhance their coping abilities after discharge. For elderly primiparas, particular attention should be given to their physical recovery and understanding of complication-related knowledge. Moreover, family members should be encouraged to provide more care and support to alleviate the burden of newborn care on postpartum women, ensuring that they have sufficient rest.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegression analyses indicated that residential location, mode of delivery, postpartum health issues, self-assessed confidence in newborn care, and self-care ability during puerperium were the primary factors influencing primiparous women's readiness for hospital discharge. The readiness for hospital discharge score among primiparous women residing in rural areas was 112.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;37.49, which was low, which is consistent with previous findings[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e]. The reasons for this may be the scarcity of medical resources, shortage of professional healthcare workers, and inadequate postpartum follow-up in rural areas, all of which hinder timely professional guidance for mothers[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, inadequate family support, due to spouses working away from home or health issues among elders, increases the burden of childcare and self-care for mothers[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e]. In this study, compared with vaginal delivery, cesarean section significantly reduced mothers' willingness to be discharged, which aligns with the findings of Xia et al[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e]. Pronounced pain following cesarean section negatively impacts mothers' receptiveness to health education, thereby diminishing their self-care ability. Therefore, it is recommended that the government and social support for rural mothers be strengthened, family care capabilities be enhanced, and community resources and modern technological means be utilized to provide enhanced postpartum care and support. For mothers who undergo cesarean section, particular attention should be given to postoperative wound recovery and pain management, with targeted predischarge education to increase the effectiveness of discharge education.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConfidence in newborn care is a crucial factor in discharge preparation. The complexity of newborn care and changes in the postpartum environment pose significant challenges to postpartum women, whereas confidence in newborn care directly influences their psychological adaptation and family life after discharge[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e]. In our study, approximately 46% of postpartum women expressed high confidence in caring for their newborns, which was higher than expected. The analysis revealed that most of these women were in relatively good economic condition and planned to attend a postpartum care center, hire a professional maternity nurse, or receive assistance from elders. These findings indicate that economic conditions and family support play significant roles in enhancing postpartum women's confidence. In contrast, women with poor economic conditions or inadequate family support may face greater psychological stress and caregiving challenges after discharge[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e]. Therefore, accurate assessment of the needs of pregnant women is essential for developing personalized support plans for impoverished primiparous mothers. Community resources should be fully utilized, and mutual assistance among families and relatives should be enhanced. Affordable health education and self-care guidance should be provided, and the development of psychological support networks should be prioritized. Practical parenting skills training should be implemented, and access to economic assistance and resources should be actively facilitated. Additionally, advocacy for government and societal attention to this issue is imperative. Efforts should be directed towards promoting the formulation and implementation of relevant policies to comprehensively improve the postpartum support environment for impoverished primiparous mothers.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe ability to perform self-care during puerperium is a crucial skill for postpartum women, directly impacting their recovery and the quality of neonatal care after discharge[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e]. Studies indicate that women with stronger self-care abilities are more proactive in managing their health during the recovery process[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e]. In this study, the self-care ability score among primiparous women was 181.81\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19.80, indicating a moderate level. Furthermore, the readiness for hospital discharge scale revealed that coping abilities and disease knowledge had the lowest scores[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. Effective interventions can facilitate smooth transitions across different stages of recovery and significantly reduce the incidence of adverse events after discharge. Therefore, healthcare professionals should prioritize enhancing the self-management knowledge and abilities of postpartum women to minimize potential risks. Given that 52.1% of the parturients in our study reported obtaining knowledge through multimedia, medical practitioners should consider leveraging digital technologies and multimedia resources to provide comprehensive and continuous postpartum support.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLimitations of the Study\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe present study acknowledges several limitations that should be considered when interpreting the findings. First, the study utilized a convenience sample drawn from a single site, which may restrict the generalizability of the results to broader populations. Future research should prioritize the use of more diverse and representative samples to enhance the external validity of the findings. Second, the cross-sectional design of the study limits the ability to establish causal relationships between variables. Longitudinal studies are recommended to better elucidate the dynamic nature of discharge readiness and its influencing factors over time. Finally, the reliance on self-reported data may introduce potential biases. Future research would benefit from incorporating objective measures or multiple data sources to strengthen the robustness of the findings.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe present study revealed that the discharge readiness of primiparous women in China is relatively low, particularly with respect to coping ability after discharge, disease knowledge, and self-care ability. To address these deficiencies, it is recommended that discharge planning be optimized and that educational content and methods be enhanced. Specifically, the use of digital technology to provide remote and timely support for mothers post-discharge is proposed. Furthermore, strengthening collaboration with community hospitals is suggested to facilitate the dissemination of health-related knowledge on family self-care to mothers and their families, thereby reinforcing the support system available to mothers.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.1527%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRHD\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76.8473%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eReadiness for hospital discharge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.1527%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRHDS-NMF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76.8473%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eReadiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.1527%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePDCDS-NMF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76.8473%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePost-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.1527%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSAPWS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76.8473%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSelf-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.1527%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMRAQS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76.8473%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Dongguan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital (approval number: No. 2024--156). This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten informed consent was obtained from all participants for the publication of their data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and material\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was funded by the Dongguan Sci-tech Commissioner Program (No. 20231800500372), Funds for PHD researchers of Guangdong Medical University in 2024, 4SG24299G and Funds for PHD researchers of Guangdong Medical University in 2021, 4SG20215P.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHQ and HL conceptualized the study and designed the methodology. KG, ZL, and SL performed data curation and formal investigation. DD contributed to statistical analysis and validation. CZ conducted data interpretation and visualization. HQ wrote the original draft. CY supervised the project and revised the manuscript critically for intellectual content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the participants for their invaluable cooperation and contributions to this study. We are also deeply appreciative of the support and assistance provided by the medical staff in the relevant departments, without whom this research would not have been possible. Their dedication and expertise were instrumental in the successful completion of this work.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026apos; information\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHL is a Professor of Nursing at Guangdong Medical University (GDMU) and a master\u0026apos;s supervisor, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology clinical care. KG, ZL, and SL are senior clinical nursing specialists in the same field. HQ is a Master\u0026apos;s candidate researching maternal and infant care. CY holds a PhD with expertise in disease management and health promotion, while CZ is a PhD researcher focusing on women\u0026apos;s health studies.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFang J, Xiao S, Zhao X, Yang L. Analysis of Influencing Factors of Puerperal Infection in Postpartum Women. 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Journal of clinical nursing.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2018;27:2763-2775.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhang J, Yao S, Huang F, et al. Exploring the Role of Social Support between Discharge Teaching and Readiness for Discharge in Ocular Fundus Disease Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of ophthalmology.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2021;2021:5547351.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNgai FW, Ngu SF. Family sense of coherence and family and marital functioning across the perinatal period. Sexual \u0026amp; reproductive healthcare : official journal of the Swedish Association of Midwives.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2016;7:33-37.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhao XH, Zhang ZH. Risk factors for postpartum depression: An evidence-based systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Asian journal of psychiatry.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2020;53:102353.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChen X, Zhao T, Liu L, et al. Chinesization of Readiness for Hospital Discharge Study-New Mother Form (RHDS-NMF) and its reliability and validity test. Chinese Nursing Research.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2020;34:407-413 (Article in Chinese).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeiss ME, Lokken L. Predictors and outcomes of postpartum mothers\u0026apos; perceptions of readiness for discharge after birth. Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2009;38:406-417.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLI W, Zhang Y, Yang X-w, et al. Evaluation of the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form. Chinese Journal of Nursing Education.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2021;18:270-274 (Article in Chinese).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLi J. Development of Self-nursing Ability and Self-rating Scale for Puerperal Women. dissertation. Shanxi Medical University; 2018 (Article in Chinese).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWu W, Lu H. Investigation on maternal role adaptation for primipara in puerperium. Chinese Nursing Research.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2009;23:596-598 (Article in Chinese).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eXia ML, Lin WX, Gao LL, et al. Readiness for Hospital Discharge After a Cesarean Section and Associated Factors Among Chinese Mothers: A Single Centre Cross-Sectional Study. Patient preference and adherence.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2023;17:1005-1015.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eXu M, Sun Y, Wang J. The mediating effect of primipara\u0026apos;s readiness for hospital discharge on health behavior ability and parenting competence. Chinese Journal of Birth Health \u0026amp; Heredity.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2022;30:2270-2275.(Article in Chinese).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNamutebi M, Nalwadda GK, Kasasa S, Muwanguzi PA, Kaye DK. Prevalence of postpartum complications and associated factors among postpartum women in Uganda, a cross-sectional study. BMC pregnancy and childbirth.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2024;24:640.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFein A, Wen T, Wright JD, et al. Postpartum hemorrhage and risk for postpartum readmission. The journal of maternal-fetal \u0026amp; neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstet.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2021;34:187-194.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeng S, Lai X, Qiu J, et al. Living With Parents-In-Law Increased the Risk of Postpartum Depression in Chinese Women. Frontiers in psychiatry.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2021;12:736306.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShakarami A, Mirghafourvand M, Abdolalipour S, Jafarabadi MA, Iravani M. Comparison of fear, anxiety and self-efficacy of childbirth among primiparous and multiparous women. BMC pregnancy and childbirth.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2021;21:642.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVandekerckhove M, Guignard M, Civadier MS, Benachi A, Bouyer J. Impact of maternal age on obstetric and neonatal morbidity: a retrospective cohort study. BMC pregnancy and childbirth.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2021;21:732.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhang Y, Hao J, Wen J, et al. Factors influencing fatigue in the puerperium in women of advanced maternal age using random forest algorithm. Journal of Nursing Science.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2024;39:44-48 (Article in Chinese).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZou Q. Investigation on the Status Quo of Maternal Readiness for Hospital Discharge and Analysis of Its Influencing Factors. dissertation. Wuhan University of Light Industry; 2019 (Article in Chinese).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eXu R, Wang J, Li Y, et al. Pre- and postpartum fear of childbirth and its predictors among rural women in China. BMC pregnancy and childbirth.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2024;24:394.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQi W, Liu Y, Lv H, et al. Effects of family relationship and social support on the mental health of Chinese postpartum women. BMC pregnancy and childbirth.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2022;22:65.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGunaydin S, Zengin N. Relationship of the prenatal psychosocial profile with postpartum maternal duties and newborn care. Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992).\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2022;68:152-158.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBasso B, Fogolin S, Danielis M, Mattiussi E. The Experiences of Family Members of Patients Discharged from Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies. Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy).\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2024;14:1504-1516.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePetersen AGP, Kolankiewicz ACB, Casagrande D, et al. Weaknesses in the Continuity of Care of Puerperal Women: An Integrative Literature Review. Revista brasileira de ginecologia e obstetricia : revista da Federacao Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetricia.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2023;45:e415-e421.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSchmied V, Cooke M, Gutwein R, Steinlein E, Homer C. An evaluation of strategies to improve the quality and content of hospital-based postnatal care in a metropolitan Australian hospital. Journal of clinical nursing.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e2009;18:1850-1861.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1\u003c/strong\u003e Differences in RHD between/among basic information variables (n = 337)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariables\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e（\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e）\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRHD(M\u0026plusmn;SD)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eF/t\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (years)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20-25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55(16.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128.58 \u0026plusmn; 25.17\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.852\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.158\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26-35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e262(77.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128.50 \u0026plusmn; 24.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21(6.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e117.86 \u0026plusmn; 28.60\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEducational level\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJunior high school education\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eor below\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38(11.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128.97 \u0026plusmn; 26.90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.141\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.337\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSenior High School\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31(9.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e126.77 \u0026plusmn; 30.17\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJunior College Diploma\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e119(35.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e131.06 \u0026plusmn; 22.26\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBachelor\u0026apos;s degree or higher\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e150(44.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e125.25 \u0026plusmn; 24.55\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResidential location\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUrban\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e138(40.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127.94 \u0026plusmn; 23.30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.227\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTown\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e172(50.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e130.24 \u0026plusmn; 22.30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRural\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28(8.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e112.79 \u0026plusmn; 37.49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEmployment status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnemployed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e59(17.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e126.58 \u0026plusmn; 24.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.237\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.789\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEmployed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e234(69.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128.47 \u0026plusmn; 23.31\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFarmers/private individuals\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e45(13.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e126.33 \u0026plusmn; 31.10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarital Status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnmarried\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15(4.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e133.60 \u0026plusmn; 23.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.958\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.353\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e323(95.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127.59 \u0026plusmn; 24.69\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePayment Method for Medical Expenses\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSelf-pay\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18(5.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127.28 \u0026plusmn; 31.77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.783\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.458\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eResident Medical Insurance\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61(18)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e124.34 \u0026plusmn; 28.22\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEmployee Medical Insurance\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e259(76.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128.72 \u0026plusmn; 23.19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePer capita monthly household\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eincome (yuan, RMB)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt; 5000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e49(14.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e121.69 \u0026plusmn; 25.23\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.881\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.057\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5000-8000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e166(49.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127.08 \u0026plusmn; 25.98\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;8000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e123(36.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e131.35 \u0026plusmn; 22.05\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaternity school\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eParticipated\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50(14.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127.30 \u0026plusmn; 22.78\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.171\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 67px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.863\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNot attended\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e288(85.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127.95 \u0026plusmn; 24.99\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSources of Pregnancy and Childcare Knowledge\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBooks, Magazines\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24(7.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e124.17 \u0026plusmn; 29.47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.537\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.708\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMedical Staff\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50(14.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e131.86 \u0026plusmn; 19.06\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFamily, Friends\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85(25.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127.55 \u0026plusmn; 27.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInternet, TV\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e176(52.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127.49 \u0026plusmn; 24.36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaternity school\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3(0.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e120.67 \u0026plusmn; 13.58\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaternity Leave Duration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;6 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e157(46.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128.13 \u0026plusmn; 23.56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.207\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.813\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;6 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e84(24.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e126.40 \u0026plusmn; 23.90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 211px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSelf-employed/Unemployed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e97(28.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128.67 \u0026plusmn; 27.09\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMode of Delivery\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVaginal delivery without laceration\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e92(26.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e133.39 \u0026plusmn; 23.42\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.361\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.036\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVaginal delivery with laceration\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128(38.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e126.54 \u0026plusmn; 22.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCesarean section\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e118(34.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e124.97 \u0026plusmn; 27.40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary Caregiver\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eParents/In-laws\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e89(26.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e130.9 \u0026plusmn; 24.07\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.62\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.186\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHusband\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e188(55.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e126.12 \u0026plusmn; 25.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaternity Nurse/Moon Center\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61(18.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128.69 \u0026plusmn; 22.28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelf-assessed Confidence in Newborn Care\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLow confidence\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32(9.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e104.00 \u0026plusmn; 30.64\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42.926\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eConfident\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e149(44.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e121.72 \u0026plusmn; 24.31\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVery confident\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e157(46.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e138.54 \u0026plusmn; 17.24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePostpartum Health Issues\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e149(44.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e124.10 \u0026plusmn; 28.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-2.421\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 45px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.016\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 229px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e189(55.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e130.81 \u0026plusmn; 20.95\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotes: \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e Independent sample t-test; \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e one-way ANOVA.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe mean scores of the RHDS-NMF, PDCDS-NMF, SAPWS, and MRAQS (n = 337)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScore ranges\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003emean score\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStandardized mean score\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMin\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRHDS-NMF\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0-180\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127.86 \u0026plusmn; 24.64\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.10 \u0026plusmn; 1.37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e180.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePersonal status\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0-40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.22 \u0026plusmn; 6.37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.30 \u0026plusmn; 1.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisease knowledge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0-70\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e45.86 \u0026plusmn; 11.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.55 \u0026plusmn; 1.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePost-discharge coping ability\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0-30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.02 \u0026plusmn; 4.95\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.67 \u0026plusmn; 1.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSocial support\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0-70\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32.76 \u0026plusmn; 6.04\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.19 \u0026plusmn; 1.51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePDCDS-NMF\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0-10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.55 \u0026plusmn; 1.28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.46 \u0026plusmn; 0.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSAPWS\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42-21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e181.81 \u0026plusmn; 19.80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.33 \u0026plusmn; 0.47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e122.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e210.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSelf-Care Attitude\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8-40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.20 \u0026plusmn; 3.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.52 \u0026plusmn; 0.47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSelf-Care Knowledge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17-85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76.50 \u0026plusmn; 7.69\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.50 \u0026plusmn; 0.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSelf-Care Skills\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17-85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69.12 \u0026plusmn; 11.18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.07 \u0026plusmn; 0.66\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMRAQS\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16-80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68.13 \u0026plusmn; 7.46\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.26 \u0026plusmn; 0.47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImpact of Infant on daily Life\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2-10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.24 \u0026plusmn; 1.15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.62 \u0026plusmn; 0.57\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaternal Role satisfaction\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3-15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.96 \u0026plusmn; 1.48\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.65 \u0026plusmn; 0.49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInfant Care competence\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6-30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.08 \u0026plusmn; 3.77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.01 \u0026plusmn; 0.63\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaternal Beliefs\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5-25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.86 \u0026plusmn; 2.79\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 105px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.17 \u0026plusmn; 0.56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 65px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotes:\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRHDS-NMF:\u003c/strong\u003e Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form; \u003cstrong\u003ePDCDS-NMF:\u003c/strong\u003e Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form; \u003cstrong\u003eSAPWS:\u003c/strong\u003e Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale; \u003cstrong\u003eMRAQS:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eMaternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 3\u003c/strong\u003e Results of the multiple linear regression analysis (Stepwise) (n = 337)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariables\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 25px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnstandardized\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ecoefficients\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStandardized coefficients\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStandard\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eerror\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeta\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConstant term\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35.190\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.170\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.17 6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePDCDS-NMF\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.793\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.071\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.041\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.740\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.46\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSAPWS\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.338\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.084\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.271\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.027\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMRAQS\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.086\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.213\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.026\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.405\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResidential location\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTown\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.401\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.374\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.069\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.433\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRural\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-13.479\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.270\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.151\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-3.157\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMode of Delivery\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVaginal delivery with\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003elaceration\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-4.316\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.855\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.085\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-1.512\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCesarean section\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-6.569\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.875\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.127\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-2.285\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePostpartum health\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssues\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.436\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.297\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.090\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.931\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelf-assessed Confidence in\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNewborn Care\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.58\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.96\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.43\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eR\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e= 0.582, \u003cem\u003eR\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e= 0.339, adjusted \u003cem\u003eR\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e = 0.321, \u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e= 18.662, \u003cem\u003eP\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt; 0.001. Notes: PDCDS-NMF: Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form; SAPWS: Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale; MRAQS: Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale.\u003c/p\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Primiparous mothers, Postpartum care, Discharge preparation, Personalized guidance, Self-care ability","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6367863/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6367863/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDischarge readiness is essential for postpartum care, as it mitigates risks during the transition from hospital to home. Inadequate discharge readiness persists among primiparas due to their inherent inexperience and today's changing maternal profile. However, evidence regarding discharge readiness status and its determinants among Chinese primiparas remains limited. Addressing this gap is crucial for developing targeted interventions to improve postpartum care quality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess perceived discharge readiness among primiparous women in China and identify its associated factors.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital in Dongguan, China, from November 2024 to January 2025. Data were collected from 337 primiparous women using the Chinese version of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mothers Form (RHDS-NMF), the Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form (PDCDS-NMF), the Self-Care Ability of Puerperal Women Scale (SAPWS) and the Maternal Role Adaptation Questionnaire Scale (MRAQS). The questionnaires on demographic and obstetric characteristics through a self-designed general information questionnaire. Independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate linear regression were employed to examine group variations and determine independent factors influencing discharge readiness (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe total score for discharge preparation among primiparous women was 127.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;24.64 points (mean score per item: 7.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.37 points), indicating a level of discharge preparation that was slightly below average. The place of residence, mode of delivery, presence of postpartum health problems, self-assessed confidence in caring for newborns, and self-care ability during the puerperium were independent factors influencing readiness for hospital discharge among primiparous women (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrimiparas exhibited suboptimal discharge readiness, with residence, delivery mode, and self-care capacity emerging as key modifiable determinants. These findings warrant tailored discharge protocols addressing these specific factors.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Determinants of perceived discharge readiness among Chinese primiparous women: a cross-sectional study","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-09 08:34:47","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6367863/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"84f432fd-6adf-40b8-a676-205a884b0c13","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 9th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-01T07:56:49+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-09 08:34:47","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6367863","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6367863","identity":"rs-6367863","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}