Health education for pregnancy care in Harare. A survey in seven primary health care clinics.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate how health education is currently practiced in the antenatal clinics in Harare and to make recommendations for its improvement.

DESIGN

This was a descriptive study in which data was collected through subject interviews and by observations of antenatal clinics in progress.

SETTINGS

Antenatal sessions at primary care clinics in Harare.

SUBJECTS

100 pregnant women and 65 midwives.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The timing, frequency and methods used in health education and the attitude of the pregnant mothers and staff to health education.

RESULTS

The results revealed that health education was given once in pregnancy, on the first visit only. The lecture was the most used teaching method. The lecture was full of distractions which affected the concentration of the audience. Midwives decided on the subject matter for health education without consultation with the expectant women. As a result many women could not follow the practical advice given to them. Midwives overestimated their use of other methods of health education. Both the staff and the pregnant women agreed that there should be greater use of written material for women to read at home with their spouses.

CONCLUSION

The lecture is not the most appropriate method of health education during pregnancy and greater use should be made of other methods of communication such as the mass media and pamphlets.