Effect of Educational Session on Knowledge, Self-Care Practices and Perception Regarding Gestational Weight Gain among Advanced Age Pregnant Women

Abstract

Pregnant women at an advanced age 35 year or more are exposed to an increased risk of excessive or insufficient Gestational Weight Gain (GWG), which may exacerbate pregnancy outcomes, which represent a double burden of risk along with the risk of pregnancy at an advanced age, which leads to maternal, fetal, and neonatal risks. Many advanced age gravidas have poor knowledge, self-care practices as well as poor perception about gestational weight gain, their consequences and management strategies. Educational interventions seem to be the most appropriate and beneficial choice for these women to prevent being overweight or underweight during pregnancy. Aim: the aim of the current study was to assess effect of an educational session on improving pregnant women's knowledge, self-care practices and perception regarding GWG among advanced age pregnant women. Methods: A quasi experimental design was used to conduct the study. Sample: A total of 75 advanced age pregnant who attended maternal and child health center at (Badr City) were recruited. Data was collected by a structured self-administered questionnaire, gestational weight gain knowledge and self-care practices questionnaire (pre/posttest) and women perception scale. Result: There were a significant improvement in the total knowledge, self-care practices and perception score after educational session (P = 0.000) as (62.7%) of the participants had poor knowledge pretest compared to (81.3%) had good knowledge posttest. Also, there was significant differences in total self practice score before and after the session (p=0.000). More than two third (70.7%) had poor self-care practices pretest compared to (78.7%) had good self-care practices posttest. In addition to there was significant differences in total perception score before and after the session (p<0.001). About (74.7%) had negative perception pre teaching session compared to (90.7%) had positive perception post intervention Conclusion: The educational session has an impact on improving advanced age pregnant women's knowledge, selfcare practices and perception about proper weight gain during pregnancy. And the inclusion of programs to control GWG in antenatal care is very important, especially with advanced age pregnancy. Recommendation: Counseling on maternal diet and exercise programs should be included in antenatal care guidelines especially with advanced age pregnancy

Assessment of Nurses' knowledge about the (PALM-COEIN) Classification System for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding at Assiut city

“…They are crucial in the assessment, detection, and treatment of AUB. Additionally, they assist women in communicating their issues, offer encouragement, and a wealth of AUB information to premenopausal women (Youssif et al, 2022).…”