International Journal of Nursing

Impact of an Educational Session about Gestational Weight Gain on Saudi Pregnant Women’s Knowledge and Perception
Manal A. Alweldawi, Nagwa A. Afefy, Farida Habib

Abstract
Background: The immediate and future health of the women and their fetus can be affected by the amount of weight gained during pregnancy. Many pregnant women have poor knowledge about gestational weight gain, their consequences and management strategies. Aim: the aim of the current study was to assess impact of designed nursing session on improving pregnant women’s knowledge and perception about gestational weight gain. Methods: A quasi experimental design was used to conduct the study. Sample: A total of 100 Saudi pregnant women who attended Obstetrics & Gynecology outpatient clinic at (KAMC-MNGHA) were recruited. Data was collected by using self-administered close ended questionnaire which consisted of four parts: socio-demographic characteristics, obstetrical history, knowledge assessment, and perception assessment. The educational session lasted for 50-60 minutes. Result: There was a significant improvement in the total knowledge score before and after educational session about pregnancy weight gain including (pregnancy weight gain, risk of over gestational weight gain, and risk of less gestational weight gain) (P = 0.000 for each), as (72%) of the subjects had poor knowledge pretest compared to (91%) had good knowledge posttest. Also, there was significant differences in total perception score before and after the session (p=0.000). About two third (64%) had fair perception pretest compared to (69%) had good perception post-test. Conclusion: Pregnant women have poor knowledge about proper weight gain and its impact on pregnancy outcome. The educational session has an impact on improving pregnant women’s knowledge and perception about proper weight gain during pregnancy.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v5n2a7