Date of Award

3-2026

Document Type

DNP Project

College

College of Health & Human Services

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Miriam Morgan-Skinner

Second Advisor

Oyinade M. Akhigbe

Abstract

Background

Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy remain one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal complications worldwide, particularly among underserved and minority populations. Spanish-speaking women often experience barriers related to language, limited health literacy, and reduced access to culturally appropriate education, which may delay the recognition of warning signs associated with pregnancy complications. Early education and awareness are essential to improve maternal outcomes and promote timely medical intervention.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored educational intervention designed to improve maternal knowledge regarding hypertension during pregnancy and the early recognition of maternal warning signs among Spanish-speaking women in a community-based outpatient setting.

Methods

This project utilized a pre-intervention and post-intervention design over a fourweek period. A total of 32 Spanish-speaking women participated in weekly educational sessions focused on hypertension in pregnancy, preeclampsia, blood pressure monitoring, and recognition of danger signs requiring immediate medical attention. Educational materials and presentations were delivered in Spanish using culturally appropriate teaching strategies. Data collection included demographic questionnaires, maternal health knowledge assessments, danger sign recognition survey, and participant satisfaction evaluations administered before and after the intervention.

Results

The findings demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in participants’ knowledge and recognition of maternal warning signs following the educational intervention (p < .05). Post-intervention survey results revealed increased awareness of critical symptoms associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, including severe headaches, visual disturbances, swelling, and elevated blood pressure readings. Participants also reported greater confidence in recognizing symptoms that required immediate medical attention and seeking timely healthcare support. In addition, satisfaction survey findings reflected high levels of engagement, understanding, and perceived relevance of the culturally tailored educational sessions.

Conclusion

This DNP project supports the importance of culturally sensitive maternal health education for Spanish-speaking women. The findings suggest that community-based educational interventions can improve maternal knowledge, strengthen early recognition of pregnancy-related complications, and encourage timely healthcare utilization. Expanding similar programs may contribute to reducing maternal health disparities and improving outcomes among vulnerable populations.

Subject Area

Maternal health services; Health education; Community health services; Hypertension; Pregnancy

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Nursing Commons

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