Effectiveness of the intervention program Participatory-supportive based on the model Precede on the enhance the mental health of pregnant women attending urban health centers of Khoy city in 2014

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health of mothers during pregnancy has an important impact on fetal growth and consequently on child health. As a result, using of different methods to promote mental health will be crucial to reducing maternal and child problems. Therefore, this study aimed to enhance the mental health of pregnant women attending urban health centers of Khoy city by applying Precede model. Methods: This interventional study was conducted upon 114 pregnant women (57 women in the experiment group and 57 in control group) referred to health centers during May to September 2014 in Khoy. Pregnant women were divided randomly into two groups (intervention and control). To determine the mental health of two groups, depression and anxiety in pregnant women were assessed using Edinburgh Depression Scale and the Spielberger anxiety Scale. Then a training program was designed according to the educational assessment step of Precede model. The training program was conducted for the intervention group and the control group received routine prenatal care. Educational intervention included relaxation exercises for five training sessions lasted 60-90 minutes once a week. After five weeks, post-intervention questionnaire was distributed and collected. Assessing the effect of educational program on the dependent variables was done by using descriptive statistics and Independent t-test and Paired t-test ANOVAwith repeated measures. Results: After the educational intervention, there were significant differences in the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, self-reinforcing factors, and perceived social support from family, total anxiety, depression and mental health of pregnant women in the intervention group compared with the control group. Also, there was no differences between means of knowledge, attitude, self-reinforcing factors, perceived social support from family, general anxiety, depression and mental health compared before and after the intervention in pregnant women in the control group (p =0.341, p = 0.150, p = 0.245, p = 0.622, p = 0.234, p = 0.233, p = 0.167, p = 0.086, respectively). But in the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, self-reinforcing factors, perceived social support from family, general anxiety, depression and mental health compared before and after the intervention in pregnant women in the intervention group there was a significant difference (P <0/001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates the positive impact of educational intervention based on educational assessment step of Precede model and its main components (predisposing, enabling, reinforcing factors) in reducing anxiety and depression and as a result, increasing in mental health of study population.