The Effect of Educational Package on Nutritional Knowledge and Behavior toward the Coping with Complication and Supplement Consumption

Proper nutrition is essential in the prevention and improvement of maternal problems and fetal health during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nutrition education package on knowledge and nutritional behavior of pregnant women coping with problems and taking supplements during pregnancy. In the present clinical trial، a number of 88 pregnant women referred to health centers in Karaj، Iran، were selected and randomly divided into two groups (Intervention and control group). Two sessions of approximately 60 minutes including classes on nutrition during pregnancy was held for the intervention group using presentation، booklets، and educational film; sex education with similar method was held for the control group. Data were collected through a questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed by analysis of variance with repeated measures analysis of covariance and logistic regression analyzes. In the intervention group، in the field of knowledge dealing with problems during pregnancy and after the intervention supplements in two stages were significantly higher than the control group (p˂001). Scores in the intervention group in the field of nutritional problems during pregnancy included constipation، heartburn، swollen hands and feet، anemia and urinary tract infections during both stages of the intervention were better than the control group (p˂005). Iron and multivitamin supplementation in the intervention group during two phases after the intervention phase was better than the control group (p˂005). The content of educational package was evaluated as an appropriate policy in promoting nutritional knowledge and behavior among pregnant women