Pregnant women in Sohag City's Knowledge and Practice of Health Behaviors

Background: The health and progress of any society largely depends on the health of its women. Pregnancy changes women's lifestyle and they should at least begin to lead a healthy lifestyle and perform health promoting behaviors during this critical period of reproductive age in order to avoid problems that could harms themselves or their families. Aim: To assess the pregnant women‘s knowledge and practice about health behaviors during pregnancy at Sohag city. Research design: A descriptive crosssectional research design was used in the study. Sample: using systematic random sample technique, 354 pregnant women. Setting: from three selected maternal and child health centers at Sohag city. Tools: two tools were used: Tool I: Include three parts: part one: Socio demographic characteristics, Part two: Obstetric history of pregnant women and Part three: Pregnant women‘s Knowledge about the health behaviors during pregnancy. Tool II: Health practice questionnaire used to assess Pregnant women‘s reported practice regarding health behaviors during pregnancy. Results: There was positive correlation between knowledge and practice scores with (r= 0.307 and p=0.000*) and there was statistically significant difference between reported practice with occupation education & social class (p<0.05). Conclusion: The studied pregnant women had poor level of knowledge and fair score of reported practice about the health behaviors during pregnancy. Recommendation: Health education program is needed to increase knowledge of pregnant women about healthy behaviors during pregnancy. Key words; Health Behaviors, Knowledge, Practice, Pregnant Women. Introduction Any society's progress and health heavily rely on the wellbeing of its women. Pregnancy and lactation are just two biological changes that women go through throughout their lives that have a big impact on their health. In order to avoid issues that could hurt themselves or their families, women should at least start leading healthy lifestyles and engaging in health-promoting behaviors' throughout this crucial phase of reproductive age Khleel & Mohammed, (2021). Lifestyle and unhealthy behavior are two leading causes of death in the world, and the philosophy of providing health services has shifted from disease treatment to health prevention and promotion. The importance of health promoting behavior has played an important role in the healthcare system Ghiasvand et al, (2020). According to World Health Organization data, roughly 830 women die every day from pregnancy-related diseases that are easily preventable Khleel & Mohammed, (2021). In Egypt rate of maternal mortality rate is still high, with 1400 women and 50 percent of their newborns dying yearly due to pregnancy and childbirth complications Zaki & Fouad, 92021). Lifestyle choices can alter throughout pregnancy, along with the social, psychological, and physical changes to a woman's body. Pregnancy can result in a number of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors', including inactivity, sedentary behavior, alcohol use, exposure to tobacco smoke, unhealthy eating patterns, sleep disturbances, and psychosocial/mental stress, all of which have the potential to significantly increase the health risks for the unborn child and the early years of life Zong & Xi., (2022). Women's health behaviors during pregnancy may negatively or positively affect maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes. Health behaviors during pregnancy that are likely to lead to positive outcomes—that is, health-promoting behaviors— include obtaining early prenatal care; acquiring pregnancy/childbirth education; adhering to nutritional and weight-gain guidelines; getting regular exercise and adequate sleep; avoiding use of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and certain over-thecounter drugs; avoiding engaging in risky sexual behaviors; reducing stress; and avoiding exposure to communicable infections Herzog et al, (2022). Health-promoting behaviors during pregnancy reduce the risk of preterm delivery, the need for cesarean section and the risk of obesity and diabetes. Failure in observing such behaviors can lead to complications during pregnancy, such as bleeding and maternal infection, multiple admissions to intensive care units, low birth weight or early neonatal death. Since providing maternal and newborn health services is one of the priorities of health systems Bahabadi et al, (2020). Health services are now primarily focused on preventing illness rather than treating it, as lifestyle and unhealthy behavior are two of the leading causes of death worldwide. The significance of behaviors' that promote health has played a Sohag Journal of Nursing Sciences Abdelhameed et al., SJNS@nursing.sohag.edu.eg Email: 3 202 July ), 3 ) No, ( 2 Vol, ( 31 significant part in the healthcare system Ozgoli, (2020). According to data from the World Health Organization, approximately 830 women each day die from easily preventable disorders related to pregnancy Khleel et al, (2021). Encouragement of pregnant women to lead healthy lifestyles may reduce their risk of contracting conditions connected to pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes and obstetric problems, such as preterm birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth. Additionally, good habits formed during pregnancy may be sustained afterwards and beyond, enhancing the health of both mothers and their unborn children Rockliffe et al, (2021). Pregnant women‘s lifestyle includes the way they work and rest, their type of nutrition, their manner of coping with stress or communicating with others and also prenatal care. The factors affecting healthpromoting behaviors should be determined in pregnant women in order to promote their healthy behaviors. According to statistics provided by the WHO, 60% of people‘s quality of life and health status depends on their own behaviors and lifestyle Bahabadi et al, (2020). Community health nurses are a trusted source of information during pregnancy and they can provide lifestyle advice and support. In many countries, community health nurses tend to have relatively high levels of contact and continuity of care with pregnant women compared to other healthcare professionals. This places them in a privileged position to discuss sensitive topics including nutrition, physical activity and weight management. Therefore, midwives and obstetrical nurses are arguably the best-placed professionals to provide women with ongoing lifestyle advice and support throughout pregnancy Bahri Khomami et al, (2021). Significance of the Study Maternal wellbeing has continuously been one of the major health concerns of diverse communities. According to the World Health Organization data, approximately 830 women die every day from conditions related to pregnancy that can be easily preventable Khleel & Mohammed, (2021). The maternal mortality ratio is still high in Egypt, with 1400 women and 50 percent of their newborns dying yearly due to pregnancy and childbirth complications Zaki & Fouad, (2021). For Egypt in 2017, there were 37 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. From 1998 to 2017, Egypt's maternal mortality rate decreased at a moderate rate, dropping from seventy deaths per 100,000 live births in 1998 to thirty-seven deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017 Omer et al, (2021). The already maternal mortality rate for Sohag is 46.5% and for Sohag city is 66.5% per 100,000 live births The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), (2020). Aim of the study To assess women‘s knowledge and reported practice about health behaviors during pregnancy at Sohag city. Study Questions 1. Do mothers have knowledge about health behaviors during pregnancy? 2. What`s the reported practice that affect the health of pregnant women Subjects and Method Research design: A descriptive Cross-sectional research design was used in the study. Study Setting] The study was carried out in the city of Sohag, which has three maternal and child health care facilities. These facilities are East Child Care Centre and Al-Shaheed Medical Centre and AlEmery Neighbourhood Centre. Pregnant women from Sohag city and the surrounding villages can receive free antenatal care at these facilities. Study sample This study included 354 pregnant women who were selected by systematic sampling technique where select one woman and skip another, were 192 from East Child Care, 142 from Al-Shaheed Medical Center and 20 from Al-Emery neighborhood center with mean age (25.62 ± 4.56 (18.0-37.0)) proportional to the total number of the pregnant women who attending MCH centers at Sohag city. Sample Size The sample size was calculated using the EPI info 2000 statistical package. The calculation was done using the expected frequencies of the mean health behaviors from previous studies using 95% confidence interval, 80% power of the study, 32.0% prevalence of the mean health risk behaviors and worst acceptable result 5%. The sample size according to the above criteria was 334 pregnant women. However, to avoid non-response rate 354 women had been chosen by using systematic random sample technique in the three selected maternal and child health centers. Exclusion Criteria 1. Medically diagnosis as a high-risk pregnancy. Tools of Data Collection Structured Interview questionnaire used for data collection developed by researcher after reviewing related literature and research. It included two tools: Tool (I): An Interview questionnaire. It included three parts: Part 1: Socio demographic characteristics as age, educational level, address, marital status and income according to Abed-Eltawab scale, (2014). Scoring system: It was developed by Abed-Eltawab, (2014) which used to assess socioeconomic status. The total score was divided into three classes as high (from 85100%), moderate (from 84-60%), and low (less than 60%). Sohag Journal of Nursing Sciences Abdelhameed et al., SJNS@nursing.sohag.edu.eg Email: 3 202 July ), 3 ) No, ( 2 Vol, ( 32 Part 2: Obstetric history of the p