A safe motherhood education and counselling programme in Istanbul

Abstract

Objective Evaluation of an education/counselling programme intended for pregnant/puerperal women in a secondary health care facility.

Methods The education/counselling programme was launched in September 2004, following the preparation of environmental and material components. Evaluation of the two-year project was achieved by means of satisfaction surveys of service receivers and service providers, an information survey of service receivers and focus group discussions (FGDs) for both groups.

Results Forty percent of the pregnant women who attended antenatal visits and 90% of those who had recently delivered were given education/counselling in accordance with the project. The information survey showed that 92.5% of the pregnant women knew that they should take an iron supplement during pregnancy and the puerperium; 72% of the puerperal women knew of the danger signs postpartum and concerning the newborn, and 70% were aware of the methods of effective breastfeeding. The FGDs showed improved competence of the applicants in pre-delivery, pregnancy and puerperal care as well as in newborn nutrition. Feedback from service providers confirmed the patients' improved active participation in their self-care.

Conclusion The safe motherhood education/counselling programme was successfully completed. The applicants and health care professionals benefited from the service.

KEYWORDS:

• Safe motherhood
• Turkey
• Education
• Counselling

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the TFHPF Board of Directors for funding the project, the former Hospital Medical Director, Director of Nursing and her assistants; the in-service training nurse, Prof. Dr. Rian Dişçi who lent us guidance on measurement and evaluation, the TFHPF consultants and to all nurses and midwives who participated in the project.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.