The Relationship between Health Literacy and Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization Index with Pregnancy and Postpartum Outcomes

Background and Objective: Health literacy of pregnant mothers along with prenatal care is effective in preventing the adverse outcomes of pregnancy. We aimed to assess the relationship between health literacy and adequacy of prenatal care utilization index with pregnancy and adverse postpartum outcomes.Materials and Methods: The present study was a descriptive-analytical study done in health centers affiliated to Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Cluster sampling is used and ۲۰ centers were selected from ۵۵ center randomatically.The data collection tools were demographic characteristics questionnaire, maternal health literacy and pregnancy outcome questionnaire (MHLAPQ), standard Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization Index (APNCUI), fetal-maternal outcomes checklist, and neonatal-maternal outcomes checklist designed by the researcher. Data were analyzed at a significance level of ۰.۰۵.Results: The health literacy score was ۵۵.۶۵±۱۱.۵۳ (range: ۱۴-۷۰). ۱۷۶ (۴۴%) women had adequate prenatal care index. ۶۴% of the women had adverse pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal outcomes were seen in ۴۹% of the participants. ۱۶% of the women and ۶۴.۳% of the neonates had postpartum outcomes. Health literacy was significantly associated with fetal outcomes during pregnancy (P=۰.۰۲۳) but not with maternal outcomes during pregnancy (P=۰.۶۵۲), maternal postpartum outcomes (P=۰.۰۸۴), and neonatal postpartum outcomes (P=۰.۳۹۱). The pregnancy care adequacy index had a significant relationship with maternal and fetal outcomes during pregnancy and infancy (P<۰.۰۰۱). But it had no significant relationship with maternal outcomes after delivery (P=۰.۲۲۴).Conclusion: Promoting health literacy and receiving prenatal care in pregnant mothers requires health care providers to be aware of these indicators to design educational and care programs to promote and maintain a safe pregnancy and create a pleasant experience of pregnancy and postpartum for the mother and her family.

Keywords:

Health Literacy , Adequacy of prenatal care utilization index , Pregnancy outcomes , Postpartum Outcomes