Effect of Transtheoretical Model-based Education on Women Attitudes and Stages of Change toward Childbearing Behavior

Background and purpose: Childbearing is of great importance in social issues. This study was conducted to determine the effect of transtheoretical model-based education on women attitudes and stages of childbearing behavior change. Materials and methods: This clinical trial was performed using multi-stage random sampling in 75 women of reproductive age (38 in intervention group and 37 in control group) selected from nine health centers in Amol, Iran 2017. The intervention group attended five educational sessions, and then received online weekly trainings for six months while, the control group received routine education. Attitudes toward childbearing and stages of change in childbearing behavior were evaluated before, at 3 and 6 months after the education. Results: Mean scores for women attitude before, at 3 and 6 months after education were 171.81±22.55, 179.12±22.55, and 177.39±20.54 in intervention group and 166.31±19.37, 165.85±21.49, and 165.07±18.37 in control group, respectively. Findings indicated significant improvements in women attitude toward childbearing (P <0.001). But, frequency of women at different stages of childbearing behavior in intervention group was not significantly different from that of the controls (P = 0.281). Conclusion: Transtheoretical model-based education improved women attitudes toward childbearing, but failed to change the stages of childbearing behavior. Given the multiplicity of factors in childbearing, such findings were predictable. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out studies with longer pre-pregnancy consultations and increase in number of samples.   (Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT2017083131117N4)