1. Background
Today the world is an era that is called information era and the communities using them is called information communities (1). Information is vital and necessary for human, human in life to meet their needs require information, and information need originates from human life (2). Information needs are related to the needs that people should have them for doing tasks, solving issues and problems (3). In the present era, one of the important issues is information distribution, based on the actual need of the users. Information need causes the person using the information channels to seek information and express the behavior-based information (4). Women, as a part of the society, require to receive information at a desirable level. Types of information needs of women show their life quality position, and failure to meet information needs take away better life choice opportunity from them. Information receiving is essential, particularly for women because by entering pregnancy stage they start a high risk period that can have an uncomfortable end for them and the embryo with dangerous side effects (5). With the advancement of medical sciences, the cause of most debilitating and deadly diseases, and complications in mothers and infants is known that the beginning of many of them returns to the time before pregnancy, i.e. when the diseases course and their complications can be stopped, or slowed by doing a series of health and medicine cares not to threaten fetal and maternal health (6).
A comprehensive program of cares related to pregnancy that includes medical, social, and psychological, must be started before pregnancy and continued until delivery (7). The purpose of these cares is identifying high-risk mothers, who are at risk of pregnancy in the future year to control mother metabolic diseases in the cares to be brought under control, and reduce their complications during pregnancy and provide a safe pregnancy and childbirth for the mother and baby (8). Preconception counseling and providing cares are more important than of providing pregnancy period cares because providing preconception cares leads to on time identifying and preventing risks that may arise for the baby or mother (9). Frey in a study done on 499 women, referred to outpatient services clinic, found that women information-level of preconception risk factors affecting on the outcome of pregnancy was good, and most of them preferred to receive information from their doctor and/or gynecologist (10).
During pregnancy period, many biological, chemical, physiological, and anatomical changes can happen in women’s bodies. These changes are beyond their control, and these changes can made them vulnerable both physically and emotionally (11). In addition, occurrence of a series of discomforts is common during pregnancy period, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, varicose veins, etc. These changes can have significant effects on the daily activities of pregnant women (12). Lack of awareness and preparation during pregnancy period unknown fear lead to anxiety, complications and increasing day-to-day subsequent medical interventions, therefore attending classes of pregnancy period preparation and informing them can be a good solution to solve these problems among women (13). The results of the study of Moshki et al. on the lifestyle in Iranian pregnant women showed that it is necessary to educate and inform health care providers and pregnant women adequately in the field of using stress dealing techniques, and doing regular and correct physical activities (14).
Despite that women are expected to actively participate in decisions, related to providing health care during pregnancy (15), but studies have shown that some women in developing countries are often not allowed to go alone to health care institutions (16, 17). Given that family health is tied to women health, illness, or death of a woman has an adverse effect on the health of her child, family, and community (5).
Studies related to information needs of pregnant women are less concerned with pregnant women preferences prioritizing, and those studies did not clearly show that pregnant women prefer first, which information is provided. Awareness of women’s preferences in receiving health information can help to improve and modify the methods of informing and providing appropriate services to them, and also makes pregnant women training more efficient and more effective.
2. Objectives
The aim of this study is to prioritize women’s information needs before and during pregnancy on receiving health information.
3. Patients and Methods
3.1. Subjects and Settings
This descriptive study was performed on pregnant women who as outpatients had referred to Amiralmomenin hospital of Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2014 - 15. 200 pregnant women were estimated as samples based on similar studies (7, 10, 13, 18) and using the sample size estimation of Cochran (confidence level of 95%).
3.2. Data Gathering
An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was developed. First, a 39-item survey was developed after reviewing gynecology literatures. It was divided into three areas: 1) demographics, such as age, job, education, location, gestational week, delivery times, count of abortion, gestational times, income level, consanguinity with spouse, spouse’s job, and spouse’s education; 2) Information needs related to before pregnancy including physical health, mental readiness, factors that affect fetus health, screening for genetic disease, and screening for mother disease (in this section the information needs had to be prioritized from 1 to 3); 3) Information needs during pregnant such as psychosocial issues, physical problems, mental disorders, common problems, limitations, vaccination and prenatal care (in this section the information needs had to be prioritized from 1 to 4). Then, the primary questionnaire was reviewed for content validity (through the content validity index (CVI)), and then evaluated by 10 experts in Obstetrics and Gynecology and health information management area, who offered feedback in relation to the simplicity and clarity of questions, and the relationship between questions. The experts evaluated each question on a 4-point scale (1 = low score; 4 = high score), and the ratio of their response scores (3 and 4 to the total of 10 responses) were obtained. Items with scores higher than 0.80 were considered suitable; items with scores of less than 0.80 were removed or revised as recommended by the experts. Next, the questionnaire was rewritten and became more focused as a result of the experts’ suggestions. Then we piloted the questionnaire on thirty pregnant women randomly selected from different health care centers. Participants in the pilot study were excluded from the study. Internal consistency was expressed as Cronbach’s alpha 0.932 for the second section of the questionnaire. Next, further revisions were made and some statements were rephrased. Lastly, the final version of the anonymous questionnaire was distributed among the participants and they were asked to complete the questionnaire.
3.3. Data Analysis
To determine the distributions of responses, SPSS16 was used to perform descriptive statistics. The mean and standard deviation for each item was reported.
3.4. Ethical Consideration
First, we obtained ethical approval from the Semnan University of Medical Ethics Committee. Then, we prepared a cover letter describing the purposes of the study. The letter explained that responding to the survey indicated the participants’ consent to take part in the research. It also assured the participants that all responses would be kept confidential.
4. Results
The results indicated that 40.0% (n = 80) were 25 - 30 years old. (Table 1) 42.5% (n = 85) had a gestational age less than eight weeks, 53% (n = 106) were experiencing their first pregnancy,76.5% (n = 153) had not previous abortion.(Table 2) In connection with the participants’ preferences to receive information before pregnancy, the results showed that 17.5% (n = 35) information about physical health to become pregnant, 36% (n = 72) psychological readiness for pregnancy, 46.5% (n = 93) factors that affect fetal health, 71% (n = 142) screening for genetic diseases and 29% (n = 58) screening for mother’s illnesses reported as the first priority of their preferences. (Table 3). In connection with the participants’ preferences to receive information during pregnancy, the results showed that 12% (n = 24) information about smoking and its impact on the health of the fetus, 57.5% (n = 115) domestic violence and its impact on the health of the mother and fetus, 31% (n = 62) consumption of illegal drugs, 11.5% (n = 23) tooth care during pregnancy, 57% (n = 114) changes in body in pregnancy, 9.5% (n = 19) number of meals per day, 23% (n = 46) food consumption per meal, 39.5% (n = 79) vitamins and minerals needed during pregnancy, 28.5% (n = 57) food intake effecting the baby’s intelligence and beauty. 27% (n = 54) depression in pregnancy, 62.5% (n = 125) anxiety and coping styles with it in pregnancy, 10.5% (n = 21) sleep disorders in pregnancy, 39% (n = 78) nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, 29% (n = 58) about low back pain, 31.5 (n = 63) about sports activities, 50.5% (n = 101) sexual activity during pregnancy, 18% (n = 36) about going to travel in pregnancy, 17.5% (n = 35) authorized vaccines in pregnancy, 14.5% (n = 29) cares that should be provided per visit reported as the first priority of pregnant women’s preferences (Table 4). Number of previous delivery had a negative and significant relationship with the pregnant women’s preferences (B = - 1.31, P < 0.001) (Table 5).
Table 1. Demographic Characteristicsa
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age, y | |
| < 20 | 12 (6) |
| 20 - 25 | 60 (30) |
| 25 - 30 | 80 (40) |
| 30 - 35 | 26 (13) |
| > 35 | 11 (5.5) |
| Missing | 11 (5.5) |
| Job | |
| Employee | 23 (11.5) |
| Teacher | 10 (5.0) |
| Housekeeper | 155 (77.5) |
| Other | 12 (6.0) |
| Education level | |
| Uneducated | 19 (9.5) |
| Diploma | 96 (48) |
| Bachelor degree | 73 (36.5) |
| Master degree | 11 (5.5) |
| Missing | 1 (0.5) |
| Habitat | |
| City | 194 (97.0) |
| Village | 6 (3.0) |
| Income level | |
| Low | 8 (4.0) |
| Average | 182 (91.0) |
| High | 10 (5.0) |
| Husband occupation | |
| Employee | 44 (22) |
| Teacher | 4 (2) |
| Engineer | 6 (3) |
| Worker | 37 (18.5) |
| Other | 74 (37) |
| Workless | 1 (0.5) |
| Missing | 34 (17.0) |
| Spouse’s Education | |
| Uneducated | 35 (17.5) |
| Diploma | 101 (50.5) |
| Bachelor degree | 42 (21.0) |
| Master degree | 21 (10.5) |
| Missing | 1 (0.5) |
aData are presented as No. (%).
Table 2. The Participants’ Medical Historya
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gestational age, w | |
| < 8 | 85 (42.5) |
| 8 - 16 | 9 (4.5) |
| 16 - 24 | 29 (14.5) |
| 24 - 32 | 35 (17.5) |
| > 32 | 37 (18.5) |
| Missing | 5 (2.5) |
| Previous delivery numbers | |
| 0 | 106 (53.0) |
| 1 | 75 (37.5) |
| 2 | 17 (8.5) |
| 3 | 2 (1.0) |
| Abortion | |
| 0 | 153 (76.5) |
| 1 | 33 (16.5) |
| 2 | 7 (3.5) |
| 3 | 7 (3.5) |
| Number of living children | |
| 0 | 104 (52.0) |
| 1 | 76 (38.0) |
| 2 | 18 (19.0) |
| 3 | 2 (1.0) |
| Family relationship with spouse | |
| Yes | 58 (29.0) |
| No | 142 (71.0) |
aData are presented as No. (%).
Table 3. Prioritizing of Women’s Health Information Needs About Before Pregnancya
| Information Needs | Priorities | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Second | Third | |
| Physical health to become pregnancy | 35 (17.5) | 86 (43.0) | 79 (39.5) |
| Mental readiness for pregnancy | 72 (36.0) | 60 (30.0) | 68 (34.0) |
| Factors that affect fetus health | 93 (46.5) | 54 (27.0) | 53 (26.5) |
| Screening for genetic disease | 142 (71.0) | 58 (29.0) | 0 |
| Screening for mother disease | 58 (29.0) | 142 (71.0) | 0 |
aData are presented as No. (%).
Table 4. Prioritizing of Women’s Health Information Needs During Pregnancya
| Information Need | Priorities | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | Second | Third | Fourth | |
| Psychosocial issues | ||||
| Smoking and its impact on the health of fetus | 24 (12.0) | 55 (27.5) | 121 (60.5) | 0 |
| Domestic violence and its impact on the health of mother and fetus | 115 (57.5) | 60 (30.0) | 25 (12.5) | 0 |
| The use of illegal drugs | 62 (31.0) | 84 (42.0) | 54 (27.0) | 0 |
| Physical issues | ||||
| Appropriate weight | 62 (31.0) | 82 (41.0) | 56 (28.0) | 0 |
| Dental care | 23 (11.5) | 66 (33.0) | 111 (55.5) | 0 |
| Change in body systems | 114 (57.0) | 52 (26.0) | 34 (17.0) | 0 |
| Nutrition | ||||
| The number meals | 19 (9.5) | 20 (10.0) | 43 (21.5) | 118 (59.0) |
| Food consumption per meal | 46 (23.0) | 52 (26.0) | 85 (42.5) | 17 (8.5) |
| Vitamins and minerals that are needed | 79 (39.5) | 83 (41.5) | 26 (13.0) | 12 (6.0) |
| food intake effecting the baby’s intelligence and beauty | 57 (28.5) | 48 (24.0) | 47 (23.5) | 48 (24.0) |
| Mental disorders | ||||
| Depression | 54 (27.0) | 82 (41.0) | 64 (32.0) | 0 |
| Anxiety and coping styles with it | 125 (62.5) | 52 (26.0) | 23 (11.5) | 0 |
| Prevalent problems | ||||
| Sleep Disorders | 21 (10.5) | 65 (32.5) | 114 (57.0) | 0 |
| Nausea and vomiting | 78 (39.0) | 45 (22.5) | 47 (23,5) | 30 (15.0) |
| Low back pain | 58 (29.0) | 58 (29.0) | 53 (26.5) | 31 (15.5) |
| Limitations | ||||
| Sports activities | 63 (31.5) | 68 (34.0) | 69 (34.5) | 0 |
| Sexual activities | 101 (50.5) | 54 (27.0) | 45 (22.5) | 0 |
| Going to travel | 36 (18.0) | 78 (39.0) | 86 (43.0) | 0 |
| Vaccination | ||||
| Authorized vaccines | 35 (17.5) | 66 (33.0) | 99 (49.5) | 0 |
| Referrals | ||||
| Time the first visit | 61 (30.5) | 35 (17.5) | 53 (26.5) | 51 (25.5) |
| Time the next visit | 8 (4.0) | 32 (16.0) | 68 (34.0) | 92 (46.0) |
| Dangerous signs that need to refer | 103 (52) | 51 (25) | 24 (12) | 22 (11) |
aData are presented as No. (%).
Table 5. Stepwise Regression Factors Influencing the Pregnant Women’s Preferences
| Demographic characteristic | R | R2 | B | t | P-Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of previous delivery | .892 | .796 | -1.31 | -27.781 | < 0.001 |
5. Discussion
This study was done with an aim of prioritizing women’s information needs in receiving health information on the time before and during pregnancy. It shows that receiving information in the field of factors affecting on fetus health is the first priority of information needs of some women in preconception period. The results of Chen et al. s’ study confirm the finding of the study. They found that awareness of the health of fetus was one of the main concerns, and worries of pregnant women (19). The results of the present study suggests the tendency of women to receive information about risk factors affecting health of the fetus that can be effective on diagnosing, treating and preventing non-compensated injuries (20).
The findings of this study show that few women concern receiving information about mother diseases screening, and having physical health for pregnancy. The results indicate that our society women are oblivious to their health for getting pregnant and do not feel the need to receive information about it. So an attempt to notify them of this field seems necessary.
The findings of this study indicate that first preference of more than one-third of women were receiving information about mental preparation to become pregnant in pre-pregnancy stage. It indicates that some women experience symptoms of depression in reproductive age, and this makes them worried about complications due to mental problems in pregnancy period, and their impact on pregnancy outcome.
The findings of the study show the importance of providing information to women in reproductive age in relation to importance of preconception cares, because of having a great role in the identification of risk factors, especially mother physical diseases, and on-time intervention and pregnancy outcome improvement is essential (21).
The results showed less population preferred during pregnancy first to receive information about smoking and illegal drugs, and its impact on the health of the fetus. Despite smoking is increasing sharply among women in developing countries, and in Iran 7% of pregnant women smoke and 29.3% of them are passive smokers, or secondhand-smokers (22); the results showed that most Iranian pregnant women do not consider smoking harms during their pregnancy, that increase incidence probability of congenital neurological abnormalities of newborns, gestational diabetes, and postpartum hemorrhage, and even passive smoking of a mother increases the risk of low weight birth (23, 24), perhaps less tendency of Iranian pregnant women to obtain information on smoking in terms of culture is not accepted. Hence, it seems that lack of information for Iranian pregnant women is not considered as a health threatening problem among pregnant women.
Given that maternal appropriate weight gain during pregnancy is very impressive on fetal growth (25), but, the findings of this study showed that only about a one-third of study subjects asked for receiving information about this. The findings could indicate that some women experienced the effect of improper weight gain on low-weight newborn birth. Given proper nutrition during pregnancy is an important factor in maternal weight and fetal growth, and birth weight (26), but, in this study a few of the population first asked for receiving information on the number of meals. The results showed that many women do not consider the importance of the effect of appropriate nutrition and weight during pregnancy on newborn health. While the findings show that some pregnant women first prefer to receive information about needed vitamins and minerals that should be consumed in the form of supplementary, and food that influence on intelligence and beauty of the newborn. It seems some mothers concern more about infant intelligence and beauty and do not consider their health. So, the findings of this study also suggest that pregnant women do not concern receiving information about how to take oral care. Other studies have also shown that pregnant women’s awareness in the field of oral care is very partial (27-29).
The findings of this study show that in relation to physical problems, pregnant women group first prefers to receive information about changes in body systems. The results could imply that most women have experienced some physical changes, such as, restless legs syndrome and mood changes that are usually associated to it (30) and these changes are tangible and sometimes problematic for them and likely to increase their concerns. Therefore, they express even more feeling about information receiving on this field.
The findings of this study suggest that in relation to psychological disorders, there are many pregnant women who first prefer to receive information about pregnancy anxiety, and the styles of dealing with it. Other studies have also showed that pregnant women suffer from varying degrees of depression and from anxiety disorders (31, 32). It seems unknown fear, stress, and daily activities pressure make them feel more to receive such information. Further, physical, psychological, and emotional changes during pregnancy prepare the ground for family disputes and violence (33). The results showed that receiving information about domestic violence was of primary preference of more than half of pregnant women. Further, domestic violence is a hidden and persistent epidemic among women (34) that many women experience violence before and during pregnancy. Jahanfar et al. s’ study showed that the prevalence of domestic violence among Iranian pregnant women was > 60% (35). Regarding intangible nature of the issue to women, the study again shows stress and anxiety management importance during pregnancy and routine screening of domestic violence in care program of before and during pregnancy, as a main measure to reduce its impact on the health of the mother and fetus.
The study findings also indicate that receiving information about sleep disorders can be of first priority of information needs of pregnant women. Some pregnant women also experienced psychological disorders, following sleep disorders. Studies have shown that there is a correlation between sleep pattern disorder with depression during pregnancy, and also postpartum depression; and the depression endangers the health of the mother and fetus (36-39).
The study findings indicate that receiving information about nausea, vomiting and low back pain for some pregnant women is of particular importance. It seems that these common problems during pregnancy endanger mental health and social functions of some women and cause their low quality of life.
The study findings suggest the need for receiving information about exercise during pregnancy cannot be too much considered by pregnant women. These results suggest that possibly some pregnant women have not experienced benefits of sports activities during pregnancy, such as, easier childbirth and reducing maternal complications (40), or are not aware of it. So, Rahimi and SeyyedRasooli found that the knowledge of Iranian women of exercise during pregnancy was partial (41). Further, the reason for the lack of a great need for this type of information may be due to women’s gestational age, because studies have shown that by gestational age development, physical activities, such as, exercise are decreased (42-44).
With regard to limitations, the results suggest that pregnant women group prefers first to receive information about sexual activities during pregnancy. Perhaps given the effects of physiological, anatomical, and psychological changes during pregnancy on reducing sexual activity, and lack of awareness of this condition that can have negative effects on relations between spouses and disturb family mental health (45) would eventually lead to make pregnant women more sensitive about receiving information about sexual activity. Heydari et al. study also showed that about 60% of men and 70% women in Iran are unaware about sexual relations during pregnancy (46).
The findings of this study suggest the need for information receiving about travelling during pregnancy cannot be considered more by pregnant women. Although traveling does not make a risk, or problem for pregnancy, but the findings suggest that possibly most pregnant women do not find out the importance of consulting a doctor before traveling. The study of Jean et al. also showed that pregnant women awareness about a safe travel during pregnancy was partial (47).
The results of this study suggest that in relation to vaccination, some pregnant women prefer first to receive information about the vaccines that should be received during pregnancy, and the vaccines that are prohibited. Mojahed et al. s’ study showed that one of the greatest causes of non-injection of tetanus vaccine among Iranian pregnant women in Iran has been a lack of awareness of the need for vaccination (48). The results indicate that awareness of the importance of immunization that is one of important parts of health care of pregnant women, is one of the first priority of preferences of some pregnant women.
The results of this study indicate that the need for receiving information about care in pregnancy period can be the first priority of a limited number of pregnant women. These results are probably the most Iranian pregnant women receive average and inadequate pregnancy period cares (49), and some factors that are barriers for receiving the cares are the lack of need for the cares by women, and their lack of knowledge of the numbers and how to refer to health centers properly (50). Regression analysis showed among the pregnant women’s characteristics, number of previous delivery only factor influencing women’s preferences. So that women who had more previous delivery, their need this information to be lower.
5.1. Implications
The results of this study have several implications. Firstly, the results showed that pregnant women put different information needs in first priority. This could possibly indicate that information needs of individuals based on their unique characteristics, such as, gestational age, or birth history are different from each different. So, pregnant women with older gestational age and a history of previous childbirth may have already received some information, and their information need is different from pregnant women with younger gestational age and with the first pregnancy. Also, studies have shown that the age and health status are the two main factors that influence people’s information needs.
Secondly, the results of this study suggest that pregnant women in a developing country are concerned about the problems during pregnancy period and that they are unaware of issues, so that the findings suggest that many pregnant women prefer their baby’s health to their health. They concern more intelligence and beauty of their babies than their health. This could represent the culture and their quality of life during pregnancy period.
Thirdly, the results showed that most of pregnant women were housewives and with diploma level. This fact indicates the importance of effective providing high-quality information for pregnant women. So informative support for this pregnant women group leads mothers go through this important stage of life more pleasant, and with fewer complications, and prepare them for an easier natural childbirth and thereby improve their quality of life. Also providing information to this group of the population leads them to feel they are being supported.
5.2. Limitations and Future Researches
The results of this study should be interpreted with caution because the study was conducted using a researcher made questionnaire survey method and potential problems, such as, poor understanding of questions and probably bias answer threaten the results of the study, that is resolved with regard to questionnaire validity and reliability. Also, non-generalizable results of the study because of being done in a city, is of the other limitations of this study. But, however, the study results were in line with other studies in this field. Further, quantitative nature of this study limits the study capacity, so one cannot discover pregnant women experiences for his/her information needs. Also, further studies should be performed to determine whether unsatisfied information needs increase stress and anxiety of pregnant women during pregnancy and thereafter. Also, what the most-effective methods are providing information to women, and that how women can be supported in relation to their information needs.
5.3. Conclusion
The findings of the study showed that in a developing country, pregnant women feel the lack of what kind of information before and during pregnancy, i.e., the findings of this study indicate unsatisfied learning needs, and the information perceived importance for pregnant women. This study shows that in preconception period and in pregnancy period in areas of social, physical, psychological issues, common problems, limitations, vaccination, and pregnancy period cares, pregnant women put different information needs in their first priority. Providing complete, accurate, and timely information to women based on their real needs, especially in preconception period helps health care providers in these countries to change healthy mother-healthy child model to healthy woman-healthy mother - healthy child model more simply.
