Background: Educating pregnant women can improve compliance with COVID-19 prevention
behaviors. Aim of the study was to investigate the effect of health belief model-based educational
intervention on COVID-19 preventive behaviors among pregnant women. Design: A quasiexperimental research design (pretest/posttest, comparison group) was utilized. Setting: This study
was carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinic at Benha University Hospital.
Sample: A total of 174 pregnant women were enrolled in the study using a purposive technique. Data
collection tools included a structured interviewing questionnaire with three sections covering
demographic features of the studied woman, obstetric history, and pregnant women’s knowledge about
COVID-19. Health Belief Model scale and checklist for self-reported compliance with COVID-19
health preventive behaviors. Results: After one month of health belief model-based educational
intervention, the mean scores of the overall health belief model and subscalesfor perceived
susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, as well as cues to action
about COVID-19 were significantly increased, while the mean score of perceived barriers was
markedly lower in the study group (P< 0.001).The majority of the study group had high compliance
with COVID-19 preventive behaviors, compared to more than a quarter of the control group.
Conclusion: Health belief model-based educational intervention was effective in improving pregnant
women's knowledge, health beliefs, as well as self-reported compliance with preventive behaviors
regarding COVID-19. Recommendation: Provide continuous educational programs based on health
belief model to enhance pregnant women's knowledge and compliance with COVID-19 pandemic
preventive behaviors. |
