Effectiveness of community based health education intervention about safe motherhood among pregnant females in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

Background: knowledge about safe motherhood practices could help not only to reduce pregnancy related health risks but also helps in improving maternal and child health. Aim: The aim of our study was to measure the effectiveness of health education intervention on the knowledge and attitude of different safe motherhood domains among pregnant women. Methods: a community based interventional study was conducted on 122 pregnant women in El- Nakhas village, Sharkia Governorate over a period of 6 months using structured questionnaire asking about the knowledge and attitude towards antenatal, natal, post natal care, breastfeeding and family planning. Results: Our results revealed significant improvement in the total knowledge and attitude score regarding; antenatal care (from 13.80±3.47 to 21.96±4.32) and (from 11.26±1.20 to 12.92±1.80) respectively, post natal care total score (from 5.62±0.74 to 9.10±0.70) and from (7.68±1.76 to 10.86±2.60) respectively, total Family planning (from 6.88±1.28 to 10.86±1.72) and (5.64±1.26 to 6.38±2.54) respectively, Breast feeding total score (from 16.92±2.30 to 22.42±2.74 ) and ( from 6.82±1.44 to 9.30±1.52) respectively. The age and education of the participants were the main factors affecting the post interventional knowledge. Conclusion: Health education intervention succeeded in improving the knowledge and attitude of safe motherhood different domains. Rural women need continuous health education programs about safe motherhood for improving their knowledge and attitude.

Keywords