Maternal education in a rural health centre. Study of a group of pregnant women

Abstract

The basic aim in carrying out this study was to gain knowledge about the behaviour and attitude of a group of expectant women who were receiving maternal education at our Health Centre in Lesaka. This is an observational, retrospective and statistical study by the Maternal Education and Preparation for Birth Program and has been carried out without interruption since the year 1990. Material and methods. The number of expectant women who have formed part of this study is 200, which corresponds to the total number who received maternal education in our Centre in the years 1991 to 1995. The changes in frequency of the utilisation of services and of lactation type have been analysed with the statistics Chi squared and Pearson and Spearman¥s coefficients. Results. The average age of the pregnant women oscillated between 24 and 35 years. In 1991, 82.1% of the women used the services of the private tocologist and 17.9% used the public service. During 1992 a new tocological service was established in the basic zone and its use was modified in successive years to approximately 50% (Pearson¥s r=0.15; Chi squared= 11.2; p=0.008). In 1991 natural lactation was started with 68% of the newborn, and in 1995 this was done with 79%. Conclusions. The maternal education received by the mothers is a good instrument for achieving suitable behaviour on their part towards their children.