The Effect of Health Promotion in Changing Behavior and Self-Efficacy in Early Detection of Danger Signs of Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Maternal mortality remains a critical public health concern, often linked to the delayed recognition of pregnancy danger signs. Health promotion interventions play a crucial role in improving knowledge, self-efficacy, and health-seeking behavior, ultimately leading to better maternal health outcomes. Objective: This study examines the effect of health promotion interventions on pregnant women’s knowledge, health-seeking behavior, and self-efficacy in detecting pregnancy danger signs. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 200 pregnant women, divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received structured health promotion sessions, while the control group received standard antenatal care. Pretest and posttest assessments measured changes in knowledge, self-efficacy, and health-seeking behaviors. Statistical analyses, including paired t-tests and regression modeling, were performed to evaluate the intervention’s effectiveness. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in knowledge (pretest: 5.8 ± 2.3 vs. posttest: 9.2 ± 1.8, p < 0.001), health-seeking behavior (pretest: 5.9 ± 2.1 vs. posttest: 8.1 ± 1.9, p < 0.001), and self-efficacy (pretest: 7.4 ± 2.1 vs. posttest: 9.6 ± 1.8, p < 0.001). A strong correlation was found between self-efficacy and improved health-seeking behavior (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). The control group exhibited minimal changes across all outcomes. Conclusion: Structured health promotion interventions significantly improve knowledge, self-efficacy, and health-seeking behavior among pregnant women, leading to better maternal health outcomes. Integrating such interventions into routine antenatal care can enhance early detection and response to pregnancy complications. Further research is needed to explore long-term impacts and implementation in diverse settings.