The effect of spouses’ educational classes held for primiparous women referring to Hajar hospital on their quality of life and pregnancy outcomes

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: With regard to the importance of quality of life in pregnant women, the present study aimed to determine the effect of spouses’ educational classes held for primaparous women referring to Hajar hospital on women’s quality of life and pregnancy outcomes.

Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted from September 2011 to June 2012 in the clinic of the Hajar university center in Shahrekord. Eligible primiparous women who registered for physiologic delivery educational classes were randomly assigned to study (n = 31) and control (n = 27) groups. In the control group, eight physiologic delivery educational sessions were held. In the study group, in addition to attendance of pregnant women, their husbands also attended the third and the eighth sessions of these classes. Women’s quality of life was investigated with SF36 questionnaire and pregnancy outcomes after delivery were investigated. Data were analyzed by t‑test and Chi‑square test.

Results: Before intervention, there was no significant difference between scores of quality of life and demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). After intervention, there was a significant difference only in the dimensions of mental health, hugging time, kissing, and breast feeding between the study and control groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in gestational age, gravida, number of miscarriages, pregnancy outcomes, and spouses’ age (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Educational classes held for the pregnant women’s husbands during pregnancy can be efficient in promotion of pregnant women’s quality of life, especially in improving their mental health.

Key words: Iran, pregnancy outcome, prenatal education, quality of life, spouses