Effectiveness of program for knowledge enhancing on nutritional for pregnant women with anemia

Abstract

           The aim of this quasi experimental study was to determine the effect of program for knowledge enhancing on nutritional for pregnant women with anemia. Sampling were purposive from pregnant women who visit Antenatal Clinic at Prasart Hospital and found that hematocrit at first time was below 33%. The total numbers of samples were 60 pregnant women with anemia in which 30 pregnant women were assigned to receive standard prenatal care and 30 pregnant women with anemia were assigned to receive program for knowledge enhancing on nutritional for pregnant women with anemia. Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to test the difference on hematocrit between a control group and an experimental group.

          The findings were as followed. Demographic data between a control group and an experimental group were similar in which most of them were housewives, graduate from secondary school, married, have enough income, and have husband as a caregiver during pregnancy. The mean age of control group was 25.4 years old and the mean age of experimental group was 25.6 years old. The mean income was 8,516 Baht/month for control group and 9,866 Baht/month for experimental group. All of these factor were not statistical significant different. After the program, hematocrit of sample in experimental group was increasing significantly and statistical different from mean of hematocrit of sample in control group at p<.001 (Z=4.347).

         The suggestion from the findings is that nurse at antenatal care should promote this program continuity. Moreover, family members should be encourage to participate in any activities that can help in improving hematocrit among pregnant women who have anemia during pregnancy.