Effects of Maternal-Child Health Education Program for Nurses in Tigray, Ethiopia on Their Knowledge and Confidence

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify effects of a maternal-child health education program for nurses in Tigray, Ethiopia. METHODS: One-group pre-posttest design was used. The maternal-child health (MCH) education program was given to nurses from 5 health centers in Tigray, Ethiopia. Knowledge and confidence levels were measured before and after each education session. Data were analyzed using paired t-test. RESULTS: The topics of the 5 educational sessions were family planning, antenatal care, care during labor, immunization, and integrated management of neonate, and child illness. Knowledge scores (1st Z=3.931, p=.001; 2nd Z=6.189, p<.001; 3rd Z=5.658, .001, 4th Z=8.734, .001, 5th Z=14.167, .001) and confidence levels (1st Z=8.467, .001; 2nd Z=4.183, .001; 3rd Z=4.992, .001) improved significantly. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study imply that the MCH education program for nurses was effective in developing the maternal-child health capacity of the nurses in Tigray, Ethiopia.