support the argument
Evaluation of the \'healthy start to pregnancy\' early antenatal health promotion workshop; a randomized controlled trial
Summary
Having a healthy lifestyle is important throughout a woman’s’ life and health messages are not embraced as when there is a pregnancy. Pregnancy is the optimal time for health education and most women receive that education late in pregnancy when they enroll in childbirth classes. A healthy start to pregnancy should begin pre-conception so that the healthy habits are established. The workshop was offered by a dietitian in a hospital setting where the goal was to provide low- intensity educational program that would yield behavior changes. The expectant women were divided into two groups. The first group of women (usual care) received only nutrition material/ resources at their first antenatal encounter. The second group (intervention group) received the same material and attended a one hour “Healthy Start to Pregnancy Workshop. (Wilkinson & McIntyre, 2019).
Project evaluation
A randomized controlled trial was performed, in which 182 of the “usual care” women were evaluated, and 178 of the “intervention” women were also evaluated. Comparisons were made regarding their status and the analyses that was performed included Intention- to -treat and per protocol at the start of the workshop and at the end of the 12-week program. The evaluations included weight gain knowledge, smoking cessation, dietary intake physical activity levels and their intention to breastfeed.
Outcomes
The percentage of women from the “intervention” group that attended the workshop was 48.3%. The workshop was effective in improving dietary behaviors. The results yielded an increase in the consumption of the recommended fruit and vegetable guidelines and demonstrated an increase of 27 minutes in physical activity as compared to the women from the “usual group”. Also noted was a decrease in the percentage of those who smoked, and an increase in those with intention to breastfeed.
Processes
The process used in this health promotion, was Freire’s Model and was designed with the goal of influencing behavioral changes. It included dialog amongst the dietitian and the participants. It identified the underlying reasons for poor nutrition and stimulated them to work as a team. Unhealthy behaviors were identified on a personal level and each worked on their own specific issue as part of the changing process to raise social consciousness, independence and integrity (Sharma, n.d.).
References
Wilkinson, S., & McIntyre, H. (2019). Evaluation of the “healthy start to pregnancy” early antenatal health promotion workshop: a randomized controlled trial.
Sharma, M. Theoretical foundations of health education and health promotion (3rd ed., pp. 105-111). Jones & Bartlett learning.
