Group Counseling Sessions Research Articles

Culturally tailored evidence-based substance use disorder treatments are efficacious with an American Indian Southwest tribe: an open-label pilot-feasibility randomized controlled trial.

Many evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for substance use disorder (SUD) exist, yet few are tailored to Indigenous patients. This trial tested the efficacy of a culturally tailored EBT that combined Motivational Interviewing and the Community Reinforcement Approach (MICRA) versus treatment as usual (TAU). A mixed efficacy/effectiveness randomized controlled trial of MICRA (n=38) and TAU (n=41) using a parallel design with follow-up assessments at 4-, 8-, and 12-months post baseline. United States, reservation-based outpatient, addiction specialty care treatment program. 79 (68% male) American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal members meeting criteria for SUD and seeking SUD treatment. MICRA (individual therapy sessions beginning with MI for 2-3 sessions) compared with TAU (individual and group counseling sessions in a didactic style with Twelve-Step philosophy and elements of relapse prevention). Demographics, percent days abstinent (PDA; the primary outcome at 12months assessed by Form 90D), Inventory of Drug Use Consequences, Alcohol and Drug Use Self-Efficacy Scale, Native American Spirituality Scale, and SCID-DSM-IV-TR. There was no evidence for the benefit of MICRA over TAU (MICRA PDA=72.63%, TAU=73.62%, treatment effect: B = -4.04 (SE=5.47); 95% CI = -14.941, 6.866; BF=3.44) in the primary outcome. Both groups showed improvements in PDA, SUD severity, and negative consequences from baseline to the 12-month follow-up. Neither self-efficacy nor spirituality were significant mediators of MICRA. There were no treatment group differences between culturally tailored evidence-based treatments for substance use disorder and treatment as usual in this randomized controlled trial with American Indian and Alaska Native participants. Nonetheless, participants improved over time on several substance-related outcomes.

Assessing preferences for receiving supportive care resources among patients seen at a Breast Care Center.

Patients with breast cancer or at high risk for breast cancer have supportive care needs. Although cancer centers offer social, psychological, and other support to these patients, these services are not always utilized, and patients continue to report unmet supportive care needs. Reasons for non-utilization of these services have not been well documented. In this analysis, we examine patient reasons for service non-utilization and evaluate patients' interest in receiving information about and paying for other supportive care services. Study participants were contacted by email 7-14months following appointments at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Breast Care Center (BCC) and were invited to complete a 26-question survey about supportive care utilization at UCSF. In total, 195 patients (45%) completed surveys. Of these, 68% had breast cancer. Among patients with breast cancer, fewer than half completed appointments with psychological services. Lack of self-perceived need was the primary reason patients did not pursue psychological services. Overall, 61% of participants were interested in learning more about psychological services, 27% in nutrition counseling, and 20% in exercise counseling. Participants were more interested in individual counseling than in group counseling but were less interested in paying for services. Patients often feel that they do not need supportive services. Breast cancer patients are interested in learning more about psychological services, exercise counseling, and nutrition counseling. Although many cancer centers offer group coaching and counseling sessions on these topics, patients may be more willing to engage in individual counseling.

The effect of cognitive behavioral counseling on sexual knowledge, motivation to avoid risky sexual relationships, and sexual depression in female university students.

Introduction Misunderstanding of different aspects of sex makes individuals vulnerable to sexual dysfunction, sexually transmitted diseases, mental disorders, and illegal relationships. This study aimed to determine the effect of cognitive behavioral counseling on the sexual self-concept of female students at Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Methods This study is an intervention conducted with female students living in dormitories at Kerman and Rafsanjan Universities of Medical Sciences. The sample size was estimated at 63 students from different fields of study; 31 students from Kerman University of Medical Sciences comprised the experimental group and 32 students from Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences comprised the control group. Cognitive behavioral group counseling sessions were held every 3 days. The instrument used for collecting pre-test and post-test data was Snell's Multidimensional Sexual Self-concept Questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using measures of central tendency, t tests and chi-square tests. Results The two groups were homogenous in terms of demographic factors. Analysis of the results of the intervention revealed significant differences in sexual self-consciousness and motivation to avoid high risk sexual relationships, but there was no significant difference in terms of sexual depression. Discussion Cognitive behavioral group counseling can improve sexual self-concept. Therefore, this type of counseling is recommended from younger ages or at enrollment at university, to help correct development of this important part of identity.

Collaborative counselling: influence on the teaching professionals’ conceptions as promoters of children’s communication and language

AbstractThis article presents the results of an action-research project. The project consisted of a reflection process involving a year-long collaboration between a teacher, a teaching assistant and a speech therapist in a special education school, together with two researchers acting as counsellors. The reflection process sought to promote changes in the participants’ approaches to working on communication and language in the classroom. This article sets out to identify and describe the processes of change in the three teaching professionals’ conceptions of communication and language teaching and learning, and about their teaching role. The collaborative counselling lasted 32 weeks and consisted of a total of nine group counselling (GC) sessions. All of the nine GC sessions were transcribed in order to analyse the changes in the teaching professionals’ discourse. The ATLAS.ti 7.0 program was then used to select speech quotations and to group them into thematic clusters based on content analysis. The results indicate that the teaching professionals’ conceptions subtly changed during the collaborative counselling process; specifically, their conceptions about how to develop communication and language, classroom interaction, the educator’s role, organisation of context and curriculum planning.

The clinical effects of school sandplay group therapy on general children with a focus on Korea Child & Youth Personality Test

BackgroundThis study intended to examine the comprehensive clinical effects of school sandplay group counseling on the emotions and behaviors of children for the first time in Korea.MethodsTo this objective, 10 sessions of in-school sandplay group counseling were administered to 113 fourth- to sixth-graders in an elementary school located in Cheonan city for 12 weeks from March to July 2015. Each small group consisted of 10 to 16 children and the entire 12 sessions were composed of a baseline test, 10 therapy sessions, and a post-test and evaluation session. The study subjects consisted of 56 boys (49.6%) and 57 girls (50.4%). As the evaluation instruments, an epidemiologic questionnaire and the Korea Child & Youth Personality Test were used during the baseline phase and after the termination of the counseling.ResultsThe comparison of the scores according to the KCYP clinical scales and detailed evaluation scales before and after the 12-week counseling showed an increase in the self-esteem and a significant decline in depression in the elementary students after the counseling.ConclusionIt is deemed that school sandplay group counseling can help elementary school students to solve emotional problems and improve their self-esteem.

Art therapy as counseling modality to help delinquent students

<p>The purpose of this psycho-educational group counseling is to provide knowledge and information to target groups on their delinquent problems. Delinquent is an attitude that violates the law that society does not accept but not serious. Delinquent problems are often associated with adolescents either in primary school or high school. The participants were 26 students from one of the private schools in Selangor which are from form two and three. The process of selecting participants is through discussions with the school counselor, and the participants are those who have identified disciplinary records involved in delinquency issues. The researchers conducted four group counseling sessions. Participants were divided into three groups according to their disciplinary problems. The module used in this program is art therapy through “LEPAS” approach or known as <em>Luah Emosi Positifkan Akal Sihat</em>. The participants aware of their emotions and realize that what are they doing (disciplinary issues) is wrong and should be stopped as the results of the involvements in this psycho-educational program. The implications of this program are directed to the counseling practitioners whose can use the art approach in dealing with school discipline cases.</p>

Effect of Mindfulness-Based Group Counseling on Depression in Infertile Women: Randomized Clinical Trial Study.

BackgroundAssisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) can lead to depressive symptoms in infertile women due to their low success and high costs. Mindfulness-based group counseling can decrease depressive symptoms by increasing mental concentration. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of mindfulness-based group counseling on depression in infertile women undergoing IVF.Materials and MethodsThe present clinical trial included 90 infertile women undergoing IVF treatment in an infertility center in 2016. Women were divided into two groups, intervention and control. Both groups completed a demographic questionnaire and the Beck depression inventory (BDI). Eight 90-minute sessions (two each week) of mindfulness-based group counseling were held with the intervention group, while the control group received treatment as normal. Following the intervention, the BDI was again completed by both groups. The data were analyzed and independent t tests and, paired t tests conducted at a significance level of P<0.05.ResultsNo statistically significant demographic differences were observed between the two groups. Women in the control group had a somewhat lower depressive symptom score than the intervention group before the intervention. However, compared with before, the depressive symptom score among women in the intervention group decreased significantly (48%) (P<0.001) after the intervention. In contrast, the depressive symptom score in control women was higher after the intervention than before.ConclusionAccording to the findings of the present research, mindfulness-based group counseling is able to reduce depressive symptoms in infertile women under IVF treatment. Therefore, group counseling sessions are suggested for all depressed women undergoing infertility treatment (Registration number: IRCT2015082013405N14).

Impact of Motivational Interviewing on Women's Knowledge, Attitude and Intention to Choose Vaginal Birth after Caesarean Section: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background & aim: Promoting vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) is a suitable approach to reduce repeat cesarean section. It seems that counseling can help women to choose VBAC appropriately. The present study, therefore, aimed to investigate the impact of motivational interviewing on knowledge, attitude, and intention of women to choose VBAC. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial 60 pregnant women who referred to the health centers of Mashhad, Iran in 2018, were randomly assigned to two groups of motivational interviewing and control. Intervention group received three 60-90 minutes sessions of group counseling, which scheduled every other week based on motivational interviewing. The control group only received routine care. Subjects' knowledge, attitude, and intention were assessed before and two weeks after intervention. Self-structured tools were used to measure knowledge, attitude and intention of participants towards VBAC. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 with independent and paired t-test, U Mann-Whitney, Chi-Square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The mean score of knowledge and attitude during weeks 34-36 of pregnancy was 14.57±0.54 and 65.6±1.3 in the intervention group and 11.7±0.56 and 58.2±1.42 in the control group, respectively; which was significantly different between two groups (P 0.05); although a difference was seen in intention of intervention group after compared with before intervention (22.7 vs 43.4%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: motivational interviewing enhances knowledge and attitude toward vaginal birth after cesarean. Therefore, this method can be applied for prenatal counseling about vaginal birth after cesarean.

The effect of counseling based on acceptance and commitment therapy on mental health and quality of life among infertile couples: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION:Infertility by creating a disturbing and debilitating condition is considered as an important individual, public, and social health problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of counseling based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on mental health and quality of life in infertile couples.METHODS:In this randomized controlled trial, 54 infertile couples referring to the Sanandaj-Iran Infertility Clinic were assigned into two groups of counseling and control by random blocking with a 1:1 ratio. The consulting group received 8 weekly 90-min sessions of group counseling based on ACT. The General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and Fertility Quality of Life were completed before and 1 month after the completion of the intervention. Primary outcome measures were mean score of mental health and quality of fertility life. Independent t-test, ANCOVA, and Mann–Whitney U-test were used to analyze data.RESULTS:There was no significant intergroup difference in demographic information (P > 0.05). One month after the end of the intervention, the mean overall mental health score in the couples of the counseling group was significantly less than the control group (adjusted mean difference [aMD]: −8.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −10.4–−6.4; P < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean overall score of quality of life in the counseling group couples was significantly more than the control group (aMD: 14.8; 95% CI: 11.8–17.9; P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:Based on the effectiveness of counseling based on ACT on mental health and quality of life in infertile couples, it can be used in the infertility clinics. Health-care providers and counselors should train in the ACT courses to improve the mental health and quality of life of infertile couples.

The Effectiveness of Group Counseling with Emphasis on Communication Skills on Midwifery Students’ Sense of Belonging in Clinical Settings

Background: It seems that by improvement of communication skills among midwifery students, their sense of belonging in the medical setting increases. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of group counseling with emphasis on communication skills on midwifery students’ sense of belonging in clinical settings. Methods: This interventional study with the pretest-posttest control group design was conducted on 78 midwifery students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, in 2016. The participants were selected using the census method. Of the total study population, sixty students with low level of mental health were screened using Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire and randomly included in intervention and a control group. They filled out Belongingness Scale–Clinical Placement Experience (BES–CPE) as the pretest. The intervention consisted of eight group counseling sessions (two 2-hour sessions per week) with emphasis on communication skills that were held in their faculty. The final sample included fifty two students filling out the posttest instruments. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: There was no significant difference in terms of demographic factors between two groups. There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of total score (p <0.0001) as well as the self-esteem and self-efficacy subscales (p <0.05). Conclusion: Sense of belonging in clinical settings is required for midwifery students so that they can improve their communication skills in such settings. Therefore, it is recommended to include programs in midwifery curricula in order to improve students’ sense of belonging by enhancing their communication skills.

Effectiveness of group counseling based on self-knowledge sources in increasing assertiveness in male addicts in rehabilitation program

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of group counseling based on self-knowledge sources in increasing assertiveness of male addicts in rehabilitation program. Methods: This was an experimental study and the statistical population included individuals being rehabilitated in the center of dependence to drugs in Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Thirty individuals were selected through targeted sampling and assigned to experimental and control groups. Random assignment was used to control the disturbing variables. Ten group counseling sessions were conducted based on the theory of self-recognition sources for the experimental group and after the end of the study, the control group was also intervened to observe ethical considerations. Results: To analyze the results at the descriptive level, the mean and standard deviation (SD) and at the level of inferential statistics, the t-test (t-difference) were used to compare the scores of self-expression of the experimental and control groups. The analysis of the results showed that group counseling in the way of self-recognition sources was significant and effective in the increasing of self-expression in patients addicted to the drugs being rehabilitated at the level of P &lt; 0.01. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that group counseling education in the way of self-recognition sources increases the self-expression in addicts.

Investigating the Usefullness of Counselling Tool to Improve Students’ Self-Awareness

The concept of self-awareness has long been observed by researchers as a crucial means that could help individuals to alleviate their psychological distress, thus leading to psychologically healthy individuals. Self -awareness is the state of being consciously aware of one’s internal states and their interactions or relationships with others. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the usefulness of counseling tool or game in connecting theoretical concepts (self-awareness concept) to practical applications. Most of the time, it is quite difficult for the clients to self-disclose during a counselling session, especially during a group counselling session. Self-disclosure is a process of communication by which one person reveals information about himself or herself to another. With the elements of surprises and fun game embedded in the counseling tool, clients feel more comfortable and confident to complete the task given, especially when playing in a group. Thus a counseling game was developed to help participants feel at ease during a group counseling session, and then through the activities of the game could increase and improve their self-awareness. The objectives of this study are: 1) to determine whether students’ self-awareness improve after playing the game and 2) to investigate to what extent using a game can help counselors to bring out more self-disclosure from participants. The self-awareness game was pilot-tested on a group of 41 underprivileged male adolescents staying at a shelter home. The feedback given by the participants indicates that they enjoyed the game, contributing to easier and faster self-disclosure as well as engagement. Using a brief pre-post-test which were given to participants before and after they played with the game, it was found through paired samples t-test that two out of seven aspects of self-awareness were significantly improved. The general conclusion that can be derived from this study is that counseling session using games can help to increase the effectiveness of the counseling session. The game provides a fun and interactive approach in order to encourage clients to open up during the counseling session. It is hoped that the game can be a useful tool that benefits counselors in improving clients’ self-awareness and self-disclose during the counseling session.

Mindfulness-Based Smoking Cessation Enhanced With Mobile Technology (iQuit Mindfully): Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundMindfulness training shows promise for improving smoking cessation and lapse recovery, and between-session mobile health messages could enhance treatment engagement and effectiveness. Personalized, in-the-moment text messaging support could be particularly useful for low-income smokers with fewer smoking cessation resources.ObjectiveThis pilot study examined the feasibility of a text messaging program (iQuit Mindfully) as an adjunct to in-person Mindfulness-Based Addiction Treatment (MBAT) for smoking cessation.MethodsA total of 71 participants were randomly assigned to MBAT (n=33) or iQuit Mindfully (n=38; MBAT + between-session text messages); of these, 70% (50/71) were African American, and 61% (43/71) had an annual household income of US $30,000 or less. All participants received 8 weekly therapist-led group counseling sessions, nicotine patches, and self-help materials. Outcomes were feasibility (attrition, engagement, and participants’ ratings), participants’ feedback regarding the text messaging intervention, and smoking cessation (assessed in person).ResultsStrong retention was achieved (76% [54/71] at the end of treatment, and 89% [63/71] at 1-month follow-up). In the iQuit Mindfully group, engagement was high (88% [29/33] indicated reading all or most texts, and 89% [34/38] engaged in interactive texting), and participants provided positive ratings (on a 1-10 scale, average rating for recommending the program to others was 8.4 [SD 2.5]). Participants indicated benefiting from the texts (eg, appreciating encouraging reminders, coping strategies, and social support) and suggested improvements (eg, more personalization). Overall, biochemically confirmed smoking cessation rates were 22% (12/55) at the end of treatment and 19% (12/62) at 1-month follow-up, with no differences between conditions. Living below the poverty level predicted worse cessation outcomes at 1-month follow-up among participants receiving in-person only treatment (P=.03) but not among those receiving iQuit Mindfully.ConclusionsText messaging appears to be a feasible and acceptable modality for supporting mindfulness-based smoking cessation treatment. The availability of 24/7 text messaging might be particularly helpful for low-income smokers who have access to fewer cessation resources and experience significant day-to-day barriers to quitting.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03029819; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03029819

The effect of preconception counselling on health locus of control and stress in Iranian women: a randomized control trial

ABSTRACTPreconception counseling can improve women’s health and pregnancy outcomes. Internal health locus of control and belief in the benefits of health-promoting behaviors improve people’s engagement in health-promoting behaviors. This study examined whether preconception counseling was related to stress and health locus of control. This randomized controlled trial was conducted from March to November 2016 on 152 healthy 18–35-year-old women intending to become pregnant within the next year in Iran. The intervention group received six sessions of group counseling, and the control group received only usual care. The Perceived Stress Scale, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales and checklist for preconception control were completed before and after the intervention. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant post-intervention increase in the mean internal health locus of control (P < .001) and preconception control scores (P = .034) in the intervention group and the mean perceived stress score (P = .001), and chance health locus of control (P = .013) decreased significantly. Preconception counseling was associated with increased internal locus of control and reduced perceived stress. Preconception counselors should consider reinforcing women’s internal beliefs with an emphasis on the effect of the couple’s own behaviors and exposures on pregnancy and fetal outcomes.

The Effect of Counselling on Depression and Anxiety of Women with Unplanned Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 80 Iranian pregnant women with unplanned pregnancy. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group received one to three sessions of individual counseling and six sessions of group counseling each week in six consecutive weeks, and the control group received routine care. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were completed by the participants before and 4weeks after the intervention. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of socio-demographic characteristics, and the baseline depression and anxiety scores (P > 0.05). The depression and anxiety scales were completed before and 4weeks after the intervention. The mean scores of depression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety were significantly lower in the counseling group than in the control group 4weeks after the end of intervention. It is recommended that counseling should be provided for women with unplanned pregnancy.

Investigating the effect of group counseling on family stress and anxiety of primiparous mothers during delivery

BackgroundFamily is considered as the first source of care and support for the mother. Family stress and anxiety can be transmitted to the pregnant mother and have negative effects on pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and even their fetus. Given that one of the policies of the World Health Organization is to emphasize “safe family is safe with mother” this study was aimed to determine the effect of group counseling on family stress and anxiety of primiparous mothers during delivery.MethodsThis quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2016 on 72 family members of pregnant women who were referred to midwifery clinics in two health centers in Saveh-Iran. In this research, two members of each family (husband and other family of the pregnant woman) were selected using convenience sampling and were randomly divided into two groups of 36 families. At the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy, standard questionnaires of Cohen’s Perceived Stress and Cattell Anxiety scale were completed by both groups. For the intervention group, six sessions of cognitive group counseling were held weekly and the control group did not receive the intervention. Then, at the time of hospitalizing pregnant women for childbirth, the questionnaires were completed again by the family of both groups and the two groups were compared in terms of stress and anxiety before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 using appropriate statistical tests.FindingsThe findings showed that there was no significant difference between mean scores of stress, anxiety, hidden anxiety and obvious anxiety before intervention in both intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, Perceived stress score (p < 0.001), anxiety score (p < 0.001), hidden anxiety score (p = 0.003) and obvious anxiety score (p < 0.001) after intervention, with a statistically significant difference were lower than the control group.ConclusionGroup counseling can reduce the stress and anxiety of the family of primiparous mothers.

Optimizing Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Main findingsBy the end of standard cardiac rehabilitation, patients still spent little time in physical activity and a long time sedentaryAdditional pedometer-based behavioural group interventions added to standard cardiac rehabilitation increase physical activity.A behavioural after-care programme delivered by phone was not successful.Cardiac rehabilitation programmes should focus on severe fatigue and dissatisfaction with participation in society.Patients already achieve cardiovascular health targets (bloodpressure, lipid profile) after standard cardiac rehabilitation without after-care.

Effectiveness of a Multi-Dimensional Group Counseling Program Based on the GATHER Approach on the Quality of Life in Surgically Menopausal Women.

ObjectivesSurgical menopause can influence women's quality of life in many aspects. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a multi-dimensional group counseling program based on the great clients, ask clients, tell clients, help clients, explain how to use, return for follow up (GATHER) approach, on quality of life in the surgically menopausal women.MethodsThis randomized clinical trial was conducted using two groups. The study comprised 78 women meeting inclusion criteria who had visited 4 healthcare centers in Tehran from December 2017 to September 2018. The participants were selected through simple random sampling (39 in each group). The intervention group underwent 6 consecutive weekly group counseling sessions based on GATHER approach, whereas the control group received no interventions. Data were collected using the Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire at 4 time-points (i.e., baseline, immediately after the intervention, 1 month after the intervention, and 3 months after the intervention).ResultsThe trend of changes at four time-points obtained on the basis of repeated measures test results showed significant betweengroup differences in vasomotor (P = 0.001), psychosocial (P = 0.025), and physical (P = 0.001) domains. Friedman test showed significant between-group differences in the mean score trend of changes at 4 time-points in sexual (P = 0.002) and overall quality of life (P = 0.004) domains.ConclusionsOn the basis of the study results, implementation of this approach with less expenditure in healthcare centers aimed at improving quality of life in surgically menopausal women is highly recommended.

The effectiveness of group counseling on prenatal care knowledge and performance of pregnant adolescents in a Kurdish region of Iran.

Prenatal care in adolescents is one of the most important challenges worldwide, especially in the regions with a specific culture and traditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of group counseling on knowledge and performance of pregnant adolescents in prenatal care in a Kurdish region in Iran. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on pregnant adolescents attending in the health centers of Mahabad, a Kurdish city in Iran. Using a multi-stage cluster sampling method, after random selection of four health centers as the intervention and the control, primigravida adolescents with gestational age of 16-20 weeks filled out the demographic and midwifery characteristics questionnaire, as well as a prenatal care knowledge and performance of pregnant adolescents' questionnaire. Then 102 pregnant adolescents (51 people in the control centers and 51 people in the intervention centers), who responded correctly to <50% of the questionnaire items were included in the study. Six sessions of group counseling about prenatal care were held for the intervention group. The control group received the routine prenatal care. Knowledge and performance of pregnant adolescents about prenatal care were compared inter and intra two groups 1 month after the end of the sessions through descriptive-analytic tests including chi-square, independent T and paired T tests. In contrast to the control group, the mean scores of adolescents' knowledge about prenatal care increased after the intervention (from 17.51 ± 5.93 to 24.67 ± 5.79) and showed significant difference to the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, the mean scores of adolescent care performance in the intervention group increased (from 5.80 ± 2.19 to 10.33 ± 2.55) and showed significant difference to the control group (p < 0.05). The results of the present study show the positive effects of prenatal care counseling on increasing knowledge and improving the performance of pregnant adolescents.

Making pretest genomic counseling optional: lessons from the RAVE study

Making pretest genomic counseling optional: lessons from the RAVE study