Effectiveness of an Educational Program regarding the Knowledge of women about maternal care during the postpartum period that attending to the primary health care centers at AlAmara City / Iraq

Abstract

Background: Postpartum care as one of the most important components of health care contributes to the prevention of maternal complications and improvement of maternal/neonatal health. In addition to meeting mothers’ mental and emotional needs consist of providing basic health education to mothers and her families, preparing mother to accept their maternal roles and encouraging an effective progress to motherhood.

Aim of the Study: To determine the effectiveness of an Educational Program regarding the Knowledge of women about maternal care during the postpartum period who attending the primary health care centers in the Amara City / Iraq.

Methodology: Quasi-experimental design was accomplish on non-probability (Purposive sample) used to collect the data of (172) multigravida women (86) study group and (86) control group who were selected of the eight primary health care centers. The study was conducted in (1st December, 2018 to 22 January, 2020). The questionnaire was consisted of three main parts, including: part one/Socio-demographic characteristics, part two/ Reproductive Characteristics, and part three /women's knowledge toward the postpartum period. The analysis of data was performed through the application of descriptive statistical (frequency, percentage, tables, figures, mean of score and relative sufficiency) and inferential statistical (t-test and chi-square).

Results: through analysis of data was the age range of the women was between (16-40 ≥ ) years and there was a statistically significant difference in women’s knowledge for maternal care in the postpartum period between the pretest and posttest for study group, There is a no statistically significant difference in women’s knowledge for maternal' care in the postpartum period between the pretest and posttest for the control group, Also there was statistically significant inverse correlation between women’s age and their overall knowledge in the posttest.

Conclusions: The study was concluded that there was statistically significant difference in women’s overall knowledge for maternal care the in postpartum period between the pretest and posttest time for study groups, and there is no statistically significant difference in women’s overall knowledge in the postpartum period between the pretest and posttest times for the control group.

Recommendations: it was recommended that: Implemented training oriented program about postpartum care and can be considered as a means for the improvement of women's knowledge about the postpartum period.