Effects of Group Counselling on Health-Promoting Behaviours in Mothers During Postpartum Period: A Randomised Controlled Trial
QC09-QC13
Correspondence
Dr. Farzaneh Soltani,
Assistant Professor, Shahid Famideh Street, Department of Midwifery, Mother and Child Care Research Centre,
Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan-6517838698, Iran.
E-mail: Farzanehsoltani2008@yahoo.com
Introduction: The postpartum period is important to maintain and promote maternal and child health. During this period investigation of mother’s health and lifestyle is necessary.
Aim: To determine the effect of group consulting on health promotion behaviours during postpartum period on primiparous mothers.
Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 112 primiparous mothers after vaginal delivery, who attended the healthcare centers in Hamadan, Iran. The participants of the study were selected via two-stage cluster sampling strategy and were assigned into two groups-experimental and control. Using a questionnaire of demographic information and health promoting lifestyle profile II, the data were collected. The experimental group received health promoting counselling in three weekly sessions. The health behaviours and lifestyle of the two groups were compared before and after counselling. Data analysis using SPSS version 20.0 were carried out by Fisher's exact test, Chi-square analysis, Independent t-test, paired t-test, and analysis of covariance.
Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups on mean scores of health behaviours before counselling (p=0.6). However, a significant difference existed between the two groups after counselling (p<0.001). Moreover, significant increase was found in lifestyle scores within the experimental group (p<0.001). Whereas, no significant difference was found within the control group (p=0.1).
Conclusion: Health promoting behaviours counselling leads to change of perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, behaviours, and finally results in changing lifestyle and promote mothers health during postpartum period.