Educational program about Rubella among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Women’s Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt

Abstract

Background and objective: Rubella or German measles is infectious disease that affects both child and adult, but when associated with pregnancy, especially in first trimester, fetus can be exposed to various problems as abortion, multiple birth defects, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). This study aimed to assess awareness of pregnant women about rubella and to identify the impact of an educational program about rubella for pregnant women attending antenatal outpatient clinic in Women’s Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt.

Methods: Quasi-experimental research design was carried out included 300 pregnant women in their first trimester. Direct interview using a semi-structured questionnaire which involved two parts: part (1) included personal data, family, and medical history, and part (2) involved questions directed to pregnant women to assess their knowledge about rubella. An educational program was applied on women as an intervention by session meeting classes. The data of knowledge were collected after the intervention then analyzed.

Results: More than one third (38%) of the studied pregnant women were 25-30 years. The mean score of knowledge regarding rubella among pregnant women was 5.83 ± 2.48 in the pretest which improved significantly in the posttest to 20.07 ± 1.86.

Conclusions and recommendations: The results revealed lack of awareness regarding rubella among studied women which increased after the application of the educational program. It is important to increase the availability of antenatal care services and provide adequate counseling for women before pregnancy about Rubella infection.