Health Literacy and Care Behaviors Among Iranian Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review

Background: Prenatal care and care behaviors can affect pregnancy outcomes. In this regard, it is crucial to identify the variables that can influence the care behaviors of pregnant women. The literature review reveals that extensive research has been conducted on the association between health literacy and care behaviors among pregnant women in Iran. However, these studies have not yet been evaluated and summarized comprehensively. Consequently, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of health literacy on care behaviors in pregnant women in Iran. Methods: This systematic review encompassed a comprehensive search of various English-language databases, including Pub Med, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ProQuest. The search was conducted using MESH keywords related to health literacy, along with other relevant keywords. Furthermore, Persian language databases, namely SID, Magiran, and Irandoc, were searched using the appropriate keywords. The collected data were subjected to qualitative analysis. Results: Finally, ۱۹ articles were included. The findings showed that pregnant women with higher levels of health literacy exhibited improved adherence to various care behaviors. These behaviors included following a nutritious diet, using recommended supplements, practicing preventive measures for urinary infections, initiating prenatal care promptly, and maintaining good oral and dental hygiene. Conclusion: Health literacy is a significant factor influencing care behaviors during pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended to incorporate health literacy as a crucial consideration when designing interventions aimed at enhancing care behaviors among pregnant women.