The Effectiveness of a health education program on knowledge and practices in pregnant woman first pregnancy, Nong Phok hospital, Roi Et Province

Abstract

Purposes:  To compare the average knowledge score and the average behavior score related to pregnancy before and after implementing the health education program for pregnant woman first pregnancy.

Study design:  This study employed a quasi - experimental research design with a one group pretest – posttest methodology.

Materials and Methods: The sample group consisted of 30 pregnants woman first pregnancy who attended the ultrasound clinic at the outpatient department of Nong Phok hospital. The participants were selected using purposive sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.  Data were collected using questionnaires on knowledge and pregnancy-related behaviors. The health education program was conducted in four sessions.  The reliability was tested and analyzed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The analysis yielded reliability score of 0.79 for knowledge and 0.72 for behavior.  Descriptive statistics and paired t-test were used for data analysis, with statistical significance at 95% confidence interval.

Main finding: After participating in the educational program, first pregnant showed a statistically significant increase in their average knowledge score about pregnancy compared to before joining the program (p<.05), with an increase of 2.80 points (95% CI; 1.94, 3.67). Additionally, there was a statistically significant increase in their average score for pregnancy-related practices compared to before the program (p<.05), with an increase of 1.37 points (95% CI; 0.23, 2.50). Their satisfaction with the program was high (Mean=2.79, SD.=0.28).  

Conclusion and recommendations: This research found that the health education program resulting in higher both the knowledge and pregnancy-related behavior scores.  We should expand this education program in other pregnants.