Evaluating the effectiveness of empowerment-based education on empowerment and anxiety in nulliparous women

Background: Anxiety is the most common mental disorder during pregnancy which increases the risk of maternal postpartum depression and anxiety; According to investigations, pregnant women hypothesized that anxiety is a common factor that will improve spontaneously; they are not aware of its side effects on the fetus, baby, and pregnancy outcome, as a whole. Therefore, creating the opportunities of independence through interacting with environment and other people and gaining sustainable mental energy can empower this defect and turn pregnancy into something pleasant. As a result, present study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of empowerment-based education on empowerment and anxiety in nulliparous women. Methods: This clinical trial survey was performed on 70 nulliparous women of 20-24 weeks. Subjects were divided into two control and experimental groups of 35 members through random sampling. Both groups completed the demographic questionnaire, Pregnant Women Empowerment questionnaire, and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before intervention. Pregnant Women Empowerment questionnaire and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was completed again immediately and eight weeks after intervention by both groups. Data were analyzed by t test and Fisher's exact test through SPSS version 16. Significance level of 0.05 was considered. Results: There were no significant differences between control and experimental groups, with whole demographic variables. The results showed that the mean and standard deviation of anxiety in two groups of experimental and control before intervention were 16.78±90.91 and 16.29±89.14 which implies no significant difference (P > 0.05); however, post-intervention data analysis immediately and eight weeks after intervention showed a significant difference between two groups (P 0.05); however, post-intervention data analysis immediately and eight weeks after intervention showed a significant difference between two groups. (P < 0001) Conclusion: Empowerment-based education reduces the level of anxiety and increases empowerment of women during pregnancy; since this method is cheap, simple, and risk-free, it is highly recommended for nulliparous women