Health Information Needs of Mothers of Children Younger than Two Years Old Referred to Healthcare Centers of Bushehr City, Iran

Mothers’ health has a special importance due to their responsibility in providing the conditions necessary for their children’s health. This study aimed to investigate the health information needs of mothers of children younger than two years old referred to healthcare centers in Bushehr City, Iran.

In this descriptive study, the statistical population constituted of mothers of children under two years old in Bushehr City. Data collection was done using a researcher-made questionnaire whose credibility was measured by content validity and formal validity methods in quantitative and qualitative ways, and its reliability was measured by stability test method (test-retest) and Cronbach’s alpha. Mothers were selected using convenient sampling method. The results were described using descriptive statistics.

The most important information needs of mothers regarding their and their children’s health included information of proper behavior toward their new child, other children, and husband. Their first motivation for seeking and obtaining information was their interest in information, and the main sources of data were physicians.

Results of this study show that mothers needed information regarding their health and that of their children. This fact shows that current information and trainings given to mothers by healthcare systems is insufficient