Educational Brochures Influence Beliefs and Knowledge Regarding Exercise during Pregnancy: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Health Education
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Pregnant women often receive inadequate advice on physical activity from healthcare providers.
• Limited knowledge regarding safe exercise during pregnancy can impact maternal and fetal health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based educational brochure in improving and retaining knowledge about exercise during pregnancy.
• To assess immediate and two-week knowledge retention following brochure exposure.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 32 women of childbearing age.
• Surveys administered pre-brochure, immediately post-brochure, and two weeks post-brochure to assess beliefs and knowledge.
• Statistical analysis to compare survey scores at different time points.

Main Results:

• Survey scores significantly increased immediately post-brochure and at two weeks post-brochure compared to baseline (p < 0.001).
• No significant difference in scores between immediate post-brochure and two-week post-brochure assessments, indicating sustained knowledge retention.
• The brochure effectively improved both beliefs and knowledge regarding exercise during pregnancy.

Conclusions:

• An evidence-based educational brochure is an effective tool for enhancing and retaining knowledge about exercise during pregnancy.
• The positive results suggest a potential strategy for improving patient-provider communication and health literacy.
• Further research in diverse populations is recommended to confirm these findings and explore long-term retention.