[Evaluation of mothers' knowledge in pre- and postnatal preventive care in the Tunisian Sahel]

Maternal and child health is one of the major concerns of public health throughout the world. Health education and increased knowledge of mothers in relation to their health is a strategy of choice adopted in many countries for improving maternal and child health. It is within this framework that this action is being carried out, which aims to evaluate the knowledge of mothers in the area of preventive care for women. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 915 parturient women from the Monastir region (coastal region of Tunisia) at the time of delivery, between May 1 and July 26, 1996. The survey was based on a questionnaire that explores, in addition to the socio-demographic characteristics of parents, the level of surveillance during pregnancy and mothers' knowledge in relation to preventive care of women. The majority of women (95%) are aware of the importance of prenatal surveillance, yet 12% don't have any knowledge of the recommended number of prenatal visits. Concerning contraception, the tetanus vaccination and the post-natal consultation, knowledge concerning their importance is high, but practice in these areas is not. Roughly only 1/3 of mothers used contraception before their current pregnancies, and only 70% had both doses of the tetanus vaccination. Health education on preventive care received by the mothers helps increase knowledge and probably practices as well. The increase in mothers' knowledge happens with appropriate initial and continued training in health education, provided by health professionals and with the reinforcement of educational activities during each contact with the mother both during her pregnancy and in periods where she isn't pregnant.