The effectiveness of theory-based intervention to improve haemoglobin levels among women with anaemia in pregnancy

@#health problem throughout the world. The effects of theexisting intervention in ensuring compliance to thesubscribed regimen and the impact of nutrition education inenhancing dietary modification during pregnancy inMalaysia have been minimal. This study aims to develop,implement and evaluate the effects of the Health BeliefModel educational intervention on haemoglobin level amonganaemic pregnant women.Methods: This is a quasi-experimental research with pre-post test design with control group involving 81 participantsper group from two health clinics in Sepang. The primaryoutcome was a change in the haemoglobin levels followingeducational intervention. Secondary outcomes includeknowledge on anaemia, Health Belief Model (HBM)constructs, dietary iron intake and compliance towards ironsupplementation. The intervention group received a HBM-based education intervention programme. Results: The response rate in the intervention and controlgroup were 83.9% and 82.7% respectively. Generalisedestimating equations analysis showed that the interventionwas effective in improving the mean haemoglobin level(β=0.75, 95%CI=0.52, 0.99, p<0.001), the knowledge score(β=1.42, 95%CI=0.36, 2.49, p=0.009), perceived severityscore (β=2.2, 95%CI= 1.02, 3.39, p<0.001) and increasedproportion of high compliance level (AOR=4.59, 95%CI=1.58,13.35, p=0.005).Conclusion: HBM-based health education programme hasproven to be effective in improving the haemoglobin levels,knowledge scores, perceived severity scores andcompliance level of participants. The study resultsemphasized on the effectiveness of such an approach,therefore it is recommended that future educationalinterventions which aim at increasing preventive healthybehaviours in pregnant women may benefit from theapplication of this model in primary health care settings.

A Systematic Review on Methods Used in Health Education Intervention on Anaemia in Pregnancy

Abstract@#Anaemia is a common health problem during pregnancy, which leads to adverse health consequences to both mothers and infants. Health education is an important strategy in preventing anaemia. It’s success to improve haemoglobin level depends on the methods and design. This review aimed to identify the methods used and the effectiveness of health education intervention in improving anaemia in pregnancy. A systematic review of studies published in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Science Direct and PubMed from January 2010 to April 2017 was conducted using various keywords. Initial search revealed 274 articles, which later reduced to eight after being screened for inclusion criteria that consist of intervention study and involving pregnant women as participants. Health education intervention program with various delivery methods were proven to significantly reduce the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy. Group discussion, health talk, poster presentation and educational pamphlet were common methods used in health education intervention.

Family Planning Practice Among Married Orang Asli Women in Sepang District and Its Associated Factors

Abstract@#Introduction: Family planning allows couples to have their desired number of children and optimum birth spacing. While the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) in Malaysia was reported as 52.2% in 2014, little is known regarding the practice of family planning among marginalised groups such as the Orang Asli women. This study aims to determine family planning practice among married Orang Asli women in Sepang district and its associated factors. Methods: A cross sectional study using a pretested questionnaire was conducted in five Orang Asli settlements in Sepang using cluster sampling. Chi-square test and simple logistic regression were used in bivariate analysis, whereas binary logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of family planning practice. Results: 212 (58.4%) participants were current users of family planning, with 68.3% of the users reported using oral contraceptive pills. In the logistic regression models, family planning practice was significantly more common among women who had children (AOR= 43.659, 95% CI: 5.788, 329.323), being housewives (AOR=1.973, 95% CI: 1.205, 3.230) and had higher attitude score (AOR=1.113, 95% CI: 1.006, 1.232). Conclusion: The CPR of current study was about the same as the national CPR in 2014. The predictors of family planning practice among Orang Asli women were having children, being a housewife and having a better attitude towards family planning. Future intervention to increase the CPR should focus on improving women’s attitude regarding family planning.