Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the factors associated with the components of maternal health knowledge among pregnant women in remote Paraguay.
Methods : Structured interviews were conducted to evaluate the maternal health knowledge of pregnant women during their first, second, and third antenatal care (ANC) visits in Caazapá Region, Paraguay. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between individual maternal health knowledge score and improvement in the score, their sociodemographic characteristics, and type of health facility chosen to receive ANC.
Results : Statistically significant improvement in maternal health knowledge score was observed among rural women who received ANC at least three times during their pregnancy (paired
t test, P<0.001). Type of health facility (such as hospital vs. health post) was a possible predictor of higher maternal health literacy (
t test, P<0.001). However, educational status was also a significant predictor of higher maternal health literacy (
t test, P<0.001), especially risk assessment during pregnancy (
t test, P<0.001). In addition, currently being with partner was a significant predictor of greater maternal health literacy (
t test, P=0.001), especially related to healthy and unsuitable diet during pregnancy (
t test, P=0.003, P=0.016, respectively).
Conclusions : It is important to consider the appropriateness of various approaches to improve maternal health literacy depending on components, including maternal health knowledge, regarding risk signs, lifestyle, and diet, obtained by formal education as well as those related to experience from daily life.
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