Effectiveness of Educational Program Based on the Theory of Reasoned Action to Decrease the Rate of Cesarean Delivery Among Pregnant Women in Fasa, Southern Iran

Cesarean section is considered as a major surgery accompanied by several complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of educational pro-gram based on the theory of reasoned action to reduce the rate of cesarean section among pregnant women in Fasa, Southern Iran. This quasi-experimental study was performed on 100 (50 participants in each of the control and intervention groups) primiparous women in the third trimester of pregnancy admitted to health centers of Fasa city, Fars province, Iran. The data-gathering tool was a multipart questionnaire containing demographic variables and the theory of reasoned action structures. After the pretest, the intervention group underwent exclusive training based on the theory of reasoned action. Then, after 3 months, both groups took part in the posttest. Data was analyzed by paired T-test, independent T-test, chi-square and Fisher exact test using SPSS-18 software. A significant difference was found between the two groups regarding knowledge, evaluations behavioral outcomes, behavioral beliefs and intention (P<0.001). Chi-square anal-ysis showed a significant difference between the two groups regarding their performance (P<0.001). The present intervention was effective in increasing the pregnant women’s knowledge, evaluations behavioral outcomes, behavioral beliefs and strengthening their inten-tion as well as performance. Therefore, it is suggested to use this model and other systematic trainings for pregnant women to decrease the rate of cesarean section.