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Abstract Most of minor discomforts during pregnancy are due to normal physiological changes. Minor discomforts can be managed by proper explanation, simple remedies and lifestyle pattern modification. As the pregnancy progress, most of these discomforts are relived. Pregnant women could be affected by these minor discomforts (Pinto, 2014). Aim of the study The study aimed to assess response of the pregnant students to minor health problems at El Fayoum University. This was done through the following: • Assess minor health problems among pregnant university students. • Assess pregnant university students’ knowledge, attitude and response regarding minor health problems during pregnancy. Research Questions: • What are common minor health problems among pregnant university students? • What is the response of the pregnant students to minor health problems at El- Fayoum University? Study Design: Descriptive exploratory study research design was utilized. Study Setting: This study was conducted at El-Fayoum University, (Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Education). Sample Size & Type: Convenient sample 150 pregnant student with the inclusion criteria: • All pregnant students suffering from one or more minor discomforts. • Academic years from 2017 to 2018 with different degree. Tools of Data Collection: Tool I: Interviewing Questionnaire Sheet: To assess general characteristics, obstetrical history & actual minor pregnancy problems. Tool II: Likert scale adapted from: (Nitaeapen, 2005), to assess pregnant student’s attitude regarding minor health problem. Results: The results of the study showed that: • Nearly two thirds (66%) of pregnant students suffered from morning thickness in the first trimester, more than half (63.33%) of them had heavy vaginal secretions in the second trimester, while more than half (54%) had sleep disturbance in the third trimester. • Majority of pregnant students (82%) had response to minor discomforts. • More than three quarters (78.7%) of pregnant students had satisfactory knowledge regarding minor discomforts. • More than three quarters (79.3%) of pregnant students had positive attitude regarding minor health problems. • There was high significant relation between actual minor health problems at the second and third trimester and response of the pregnant students (P<0.001**), respectively, while there was insignificant relation between minor health problems at the first trimester and response of the pregnant students (P=0.115). • There was high significant relation between pregnant students’ attitude and response of the pregnant students (P<0.001**). • There was high significant relation between response of the pregnant students and pregnant students’ knowledge (P<0.001**). • There was high significant relation between pregnant students’ attitude and pregnant students’ knowledge (P<0.001**). Conclusion: The results of this study supported the research questions, as it can be concluded that: Nearly two thirds of the pregnant students suffered from morning thickness in the first trimester, more than half of them had heavy vaginal secretions in the second trimester, while more than half had sleep disturbance in the third trimester, the majority of pregnant student had response to these problems, more than three quarters of pregnant students had satisfactory knowledge. In addition, there was high significant relation between sample response to minor discomfort & their knowledge & attitude regarding it. Recommendations: Based on the results of the present study, the following recommendations are suggested: • Providing support is necessary in a sensitive and respectful manner to students who may encounter challenges during pregnancy by faculty members. • The staff members and administration should work as a team. Counseling programs for pregnant students in university is very important for them to adopt with their aliments. • The study should be replicated on large sample and in different faculties in order to generalize the results. • Further research to investigate the unsafe practices related to minor discomforts during pregnancy and its effect on the mother and fetus. |