Supporting safe motherhood services in Diyarbakir: a community-based distribution project

Health education strategies targeting maternal and child health: A scoping review of educational methodologies

BACKGROUND

Health education during pregnancy is important to improve maternal and children outcomes. However, the strategies must be specifically designed for each context and demographic characteristics. Our objective was identify health education strategies targeting pregnant women with the intention of improving results of pregnancy at an urban level.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review of the literature to answer the question: "what health education strategies targeting pregnant women were reported by primary healthcare teams or the community promoting health in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and childhood?" Potential eligible studies were selected using PubMed, Web of Science, LILACS and SciELO by 2 reviewers.

RESULTS

From a total of 3105 articles, 23 were deemed eligible. We identified 9 educational methodologies focusing on different outcomes of pregnancy, birth or maternal wellbeing.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important that health education strategies continue after childbirth, independent of the strategy. All the strategies presented in this review are suitable for transfer with a moderate chance of success of implementation or improvement of current education methodologies. Further research is required on health education, including a higher number of patients.

The HANS KAI Project: a community-based approach to improving health and well-being through peer support

INTRODUCTION

HANS KAI is a unique health promotion intervention to improve participants' health by focussing on interrelated chronic disease prevention behaviours through peer support and strengthening of social support networks. The study objective was to determine the effectiveness of HANS KAI in an urban Canadian setting.

METHODS

We used a mixed methods intervention research design that involved multiple sites from November 2010 to April 2015. Data was obtained from participant surveys as well as in-person interviews at zero, 6, 12 and 24 months. Participants met in groups at least once a month during the research period, to self-monitor health indicators, prepare and share a healthy snack, participate in a physical activity, set a healthy lifestyle goal (optional) and socialize.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant mental health improvements from pre- to post-program, and 66% of the participants described specific behaviour changes as a result of HANS KAI participation. Additional positive health impacts included peer support; acquiring specific health knowledge; inspiration, motivation or accountability; the empowering effect of monitoring one's own health indicators; overcoming social isolation and knowing how to better access services.

CONCLUSION

The need to identify innovative ways to address chronic disease prevention and management has been the driver for implementing and evaluating HANS KAI. While further research will be required to validate the present findings, it appears that HANS KAI may be an effective approach to create environments that empower community members to support each other while promoting healthy lifestyle choices and detecting early changes in health status.