Effect of Face-to-Face and Group Health Counseling on Attitude and Practice of Birth Method Selection in Primiparous Pregnant Women Referring to Health Centers in Dezful City, Khuzestan Province, Iran: A Comparative, Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Although childbirth is a natural process, the choice of birth method is one of the concerns of pregnant women. Proper counseling for pregnant women can ensure a safe and healthy delivery. Objective: This study We aimed to compare the effects of group and face-to-face health counseling on the attitude of mode of delivery and reduction of Cesarean section in pregnant women. Methods: This study was a comparative randomized controlled trial that was conducted in health centers of Dezful city, in the south west of Iran from April to October 2016. Participants in the study included 150 pregnant women who had no contraindications for normal vaginal delivery, but opted for a cesarean delivery. Initially, multi-stage sampling method was used based on the study objectives, and then the participants were randomly assigned into three groups: group counseling, face-to-face, and control. Demographic characteristics and attitude questionnaires were used for data collection. Data were analyzed through SPSS 22 using One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and Chi-square, ANOVA, McNemar, and t- tests. The P< value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: All the participants (100%) in the face-to-face counseling group, 92% in the group counseling, and 12% in the control group changed their selected birth method to vaginal delivery after the consultation. In terms of attitude level, there was a significant difference in all three study groups before and after the intervention (P<0.001). Conclusion: The face-to-face as well as the group health counseling sessions promoted the attitude of pregnant women to the normal vaginal delivery. Individual counseling for people who cannot coordinate with the group is better than group counseling. This way more pregnant women can be consulted.