The Effectiveness of Peer Education on Knowledge, Attitude and Choice of Delivery in Nulliparous Women referred to Book an Health Centers

Abstract

Background &Aims: Despite a high complication rate, Cesarean rates with non-medical needs, is rising. Deciding on the delivery method is difficult for many women and is influenced by many factors. There are Different training methods to changing attitudes, raising awareness and changing behavior. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of peer education on knowledge, attitude and choice of delivery method among oviparous pregnant women. Materials & Methods: In this quasi experimental study, ۲۰۰ nulliparous women (gestational age ۲۴ to ۳۲ W) in Bookman district, without normal vaginal delivery (NVD) ban, randomly allocated into control and training group with equal size (۹۵). Four weekly educational sessions held for training group. A validated Questionnaire was used for data collection. Paired and independent T test and analysis of covariance at a significance level of ۵% were used to compare group mean scores. Results: Investigation of the plans to choose the method of delivery revealed that, before education, in the A intervention group, ۲۸.۶% had a certain plan for vaginal birth, and ۷.۷% had a certain plan for caesarean, that after education certain plan for vaginal birth increased to ۶۶% and the certain plan for caesarean decreased to ۴% and this difference was statistically significant (P < ۰.۰۰۱). In the second intervention group that peer education evaluated, education increased the certain plan for vaginal birth from ۳۳% to ۵۷% and decreased the certain plan for cesarean from ۱۶% to ۳%, and this difference was statistically significant (P < ۰.۰۰۱).In the control group, these changes were not significant. Conclusion: Peer education intervention could be effective to increasing knowledge, improving attitudes and increasing the intention of pregnant women to choose natural childbirth method.