Comparison of premarital educational needs among would-be spouses in Molahady center

Abstract

Introduction: One of the most important events in life is marriage. Premarital counseling can help would-be spouses first to get knowledge and then, get married. Since, educational need assessment studies are essential to design every educational program, this study tried to evaluate the educational needs of would-be spouses and to compare them between men and women.

Methods: This research was a descriptive-comparative study with the goal of assessing educational needs of would-be spouses in 4 fields (reproductive health, family planning, diseases and prevention of common cancers) in 300 women and men carried out in Molahady center in Isfahan in 2004. Data were collected by a questionnaire with 57 questions in 2 sections (demographic and educational subjects). Descriptive statistical methods and t-test were used to analyze the data.

Results: Findings of this study indicated significant differences between men and women's educational needs in all fields (P<0.05) with the exception of cancer prevention. Also, all samples in both groups needed education in all four fields.

Conclusion: Premarital counselors must be aware of premarital educational needs of would-be spouses and then, design educational programs according to these needs. Inclusion of above-mentioned four fields, investigated by this study, in designing educational programs is suggested.