The effect of education on base the Theory of Planned Behavior toward normal delivery in pregnant women with intention elective cesarean

Finding an appropriate training method for encouraging pregnant women toward performing vaginal delivery is necessary because of increasing growth of cesarean and its associated complications. This semi- experimental study was carried out on a sample of 200 pregnant women who referred to the obstetrics offices of Zahedan during winter 2010 to summer 2011 by using non- probability sampling. Intervention group received training according to theory of planned behavior. After doing pretest using a validated and reliable questionnaire in both groups. Post- test was conducted after one month in both study groups. T-test، Chi-Square and Logestic regression were used for data analysis. Findings showed a significant statistical differences between two groups’ knowledge، attitude and perceived behavior control، subjective norms and behavior scores after intervention (P<0. 001). Regression analysis revealed that behavioral intention and perceived control were two greatest predictors of behavior. Overall، natural delivery was seen in 22% of women in intervention group compared with 4% in control group. The study finding showed that، education based on theory of planned behavior significantly increased natural delivery among study participants. Accordingly، it is recommended to adapt a policy which pregnant women to receive elective cesarean section training packages according to this theory and attend related group discussions.