1 Associate Professor,
2Associate Professor,
3Associate Professor,
Effective interpersonal communication (IPC) between health care provider and client is one of the most important elements for improving client satisfaction, compliance and health outcomes. The rational approach to health promotion is still an integral part of primary healthcare strategies. 1) To evaluate the health education given by doctors to the maternal group. 2) To recommend the measures for improving the quality of health education given to the patients. The study was conducted in out-patient departments of MVJ Medical College and Research hospital in Bangalore. A total of 100 primigravidae women were selected randomly for the study. The participants were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. The aspects covered were antenatal visits, diet, immunization, prophylactic treatment, mental preparation for pregnancy, physiology of labour, exclusive breast feeding, weaning and child care. Total 100 primigravidae were included in the study. Only 38% of the pregnant women were informed adequately about the ANC visits. There were 48% of the women who were informed about the diet to be taken in pregnancy. However, 88% of the women were informed correctly about the iron and folic acid tablets and almost all the women were informed about the Tetanus toxoid. There were only 26% of the pregnant women who were instructed about the warning signs in pregnancy, 39% of the pregnant women were explained about the exclusive breast feeding and only 26% of the women who received family planning advice. None of the women were explained about the physiology of labour or antenatal exercises. Along with the clinical care quality, the quality of the health education given to the pregnant women should be improved.
primigravidae, diet, family planning, health education
