561: Gestational weight gain video module increases patients’ knowledge of pregnancy weight gain goals

Abstract

Maternal weight gain counseling is an important, but often overlooked, component of prenatal care counseling. As many as one third of women receive no counseling, leading to knowledge deficits regarding weight gain guidelines. We set out to determine if utilization of a gestational weight gain (GWG) video module can improve patients’ knowledge about weight gain goals. A prospective cohort study of women presenting for routine care was performed at a university hospital from April 2019-August 2019. Excluded were those less than 18 years of age, non-English speaking, or with multifetal gestations. Eligible women were approached at outpatient clinic sites and given a 15-item questionnaire regarding their knowledge on weight gain in pregnancy. Women were then advised to watch a 5-minute video that addressed weight gain goals specific to their body mass index, how to gain a healthy amount of weight, and what the risks of inappropriate weight gain are. Four weeks later, participants completed the same questionnaire. Participants were allotted a knowledge score based on the number of questions answered correctly. Maternal characteristics were collected from the electronic medical record. To determine the effectiveness of the gestational weight gain video module on patients’ knowledge, a paired t-test was used. A p value of < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. A total of 26 women were included in the study. Women were approximately 30 years old, primarily Caucasian, multiparous and obese, Table 1. The mean gestational weight gain knowledge score of women prior to and after viewing the video module were 11.3 ± 2.1 and 12.5 ± 2.3 respectively. Compared to baseline gestational weight gain knowledge, women who had a viewed the video module had a statistically significant increase in gestational weight gain knowledge (t(26)=1.2, p< 0.001). Utilization of a gestational weight gain module provides an interactive, convenient means to increase knowledge of individualized weight gain goals in pregnancy.