The Effects of Social Support on Pregnant Women's Choice of Delivery Method: Application of an Expanded Theory of Planned Behavior

Objectives: The theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been used in pregnant women’s choice of delivery method and other health-related behaviors. This study extended TPB to predict the role of social support in pregnant women’s choice of delivery method. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women referred to Fatimah hospital in Hamadan, Iran, from 2015 to 2016. A total of 206 nulliparous pregnant women, who referred to Fatimah hospital, completed a self-report questionnaire including measures of intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and social support. These women were followed up until the end of their pregnancy. Results: On the basis of structural equation modeling, adding social support variable improved the indices of the model slightly, but this variable cannot be regarded as a predictor of behavior. A gap between intention and behavior and other factors together with social factor may be the reason. The perceived behavioral control of the individuals was a signifcantly effective predictor for selecting the type of delivery. Conclusions: Attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and social support were distinguished as signifcant predictors of the choice of delivery type. Therefore, it seems that designing an intervention with emphasis and focus on making changes in these variables and considering different dimensions of social support can increase people’s intention towards natural delivery by providing facilities in the childbirth environment

Physical activity and its related factors among female employees: applying BASNEF model

Abstract The present study is a cross sectional study conducted on 268 employed women in Hamadan university of medical sciences. Census sampling was applied through visiting the various faculties of the medical sciences university in Hamadan. The data were gathered by means of a questionnaire which was divided into three sections: demographic information, BASNEF model constructs and standard International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Then data were analyzed by using statistical tests such as Chi-square,T-test and logistic regression analysis in SPSS software version 16. According to the results, 189 participants (70.5%) had light physical activity, 60 participants (22.4%) had moderate physical activity and 19 participants (7.1%) had severe physical activity. There was a significant relationship between marital status and doing physical activities. Among the BASNEF model constructs, attitude and enabling factors were found to be the most important predicting factors in doing the physical activity. Since enabling and attitude factors are the predicting factors in performing the physical activity, it seems that providing facilities and exercise equipment and offering educational programs for employed women could improve their physical activity performance

Exploring perceptions of instructors about childbirth preparation training courses: A qualitative study

Background: Childbirth preparation training courses on maternal and neonatal health increase awareness, and capability of pregnant women in overcoming fear and anxiety and managing labor pains. Objective: To identify the affecting factors and barriers of these courses from the perspective of their instructors. Methods: This qualitative study of the content analysis type, has been conducted on 16 certified teachers of the training courses of the Hamadan city in 2015. Data were collected by semi-structured in-depth interviews and were then analyzed by using MAXQDA10 application. Results: Participants' experiences are indicated on three main themes including the objectives of the course, facilitators and barriers. The main objectives of the course were reported as to improve maternal and newborn health, promote natural childbirth and preparedness for parenting and breastfeeding. The main facilitators of the successful implementation include observing educational standards, strengthening the communication and relationship between mothers and staff, mobilization, and the role of instructor. The major barriers are reported as inadequate support from management system, insufficient intra-sector collaboration, poor attitude of obstetricians and physicians, inadequate access, theory-practice gap and not intended to labor naturally. Conclusion: The results of our study show that multiple factors are involved in the participation of pregnant women in antenatal classes. Promoting natural childbirth requires intra-sector and inter-sectoral collaboration, as well as the community participation