The Effect of Education on Nutrition Behavioral Intention and Self- Efficacy in Women

Background: Maternal nutrition behavior under health education/health promotion programs and optimal control prior to conception, beneficially serves to mothers and their fetuses. In fact adequate micronutrients intake such as iron and folic acid meet the least risk of harm to the unborn child.
Objectives: The present study examines the impact of a pre-pregnancy workshop focused on iron and folic acid intake on behavioral intention and nutrition self-efficacy among women planning pregnancy.
Patients and Methods: In this study, a randomized controlled trial design was used. One hundred and four women were recruited from premarital counseling clinics authorized by Iran University of Medical Sciences and allocated to two groups of experimental and control by blocking randomization. Data collection instrument was a questionnaire. Data analysis were performed by descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Compared to the control group, the results revealed that there was a significant post –interventional difference in the score of behavioral intention (P < 0.001) , whereas no significant difference was found in the scores of nutrition self-efficacy after the intervention.
Conclusion: It is concluded that short-term pre-pregnancy health education in the form of a one –day healthy nutrition workshop leads to increase behavioral intention on iron and folic acid intake among women planning pregnancy. However, further studies on strategies of health education might be performed to influence women’s nutrition self-efficacy.                                                                                                                                                               

• Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
  This study has clinical application as it offers support for nutrition education among women before planned pregnancy. Therefore, the study’s educational intervention is recommended to nurses, midwives, and specialists of health education/health promotion.  
• Please cite this paper as:
  Bastani F, The Effect of Education on Nutrition Behavioral Intention and Self-Efficacy in Women. Health Scope.2012, 1(1): 12-7. DOI:10.5812/jhs.4520

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