Beliefs Effective on Nutritional Practices of Pregnant Women in Health Centers of Saveh, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: A healthy and balanced diet is quite important in life and during pregnancy in particular for health of the mother and her fetus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of beliefs on nutritional practices of pregnant women in Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional and analytical study carried out on 260 pregnant women in health centers of Saveh University of Medical Sciences. A multiplestage sampling protocol was used. Data was collected based on the health belief model (susceptibility, severity, perceived benefits and barriers, self-efficacy and cues to action) as well as the checklist of practices of pregnant women about diet. Independent t-test, oneway ANOVA and Bivariate (Pearson’s) correlation were conducted to analyze the data. All the analyses were performed in SPSS version 21. Results: The mean age of participant was 5 ± 27.4 and the mean gestational age was 5.5 ± 2.4. In this study, a significant correlation was observed in perceived barriers, sensitivity, severity, benefits, barriers and perceived self-efficacy with nutritional practices of pregnant women (P < 0.05). In addition, a significant relationship was found in the levels of their education, employment status and number of pregnancies with nutritional practices (P <0.05). Conclusions: The mean score of health belief model construct in pregnant women was moderate. Therefore, to improve the health of mothers and their children, an educational program based on health belief model for enhancing sensitivity and perceived severity of health workers regarding their health and to increase their self-efficacy and benefits perceived as well as to reduce perceived barriers is recommended.