Obstetric Emergency Education Among Primipara Mothers: A Basis for Enhanced Maternal-Child Health Outcomes

Knowledge and preparedness for pregnancy is vital among first-time mothers, especially in dealing with obstetric emergencies. Having poor knowledge and lack of preparedness for obstetric emergencies could affect maternal and child health outcomes. Objective: This study determined the level of knowledge and preparedness of primipara mothers in before/after obstetric emergency management health education. Design/Methods: A Quasi-experimental research design with pre/post measures was used. It involved fifteen (15) control group or the primipara mothers who attended their first obstetric emergency management; and fifteen (15) experimental group who have not attend their first obstetric emergency management health education in Barangay Health Stations of Talisay, Camarines Norte. A pen and paper survey served as a tool to facilitate the pre- and post-test. In data analysis, descriptive statistics, p-value, and effect size were applied. Results: Knowledge level shown before and after health education among experimental group is (pre-test/m= 5; post-test/m= 10) and control group (pre-test/m= 6.; post-test/m=11). Preparedness level shown before and after health education among experimental group is (pre-test/m= 4.8; post-test/m= 9.8) and control group (pre-test/m= 5.6; post-test/m= 9.7). No statistical significance shown in the level of knowledge (p= .109, < .05) and preparedness (p= .105, < .05). Conclusions/Implications: Indeed, the administered obstetric emergency management health education able achieve transformation of knowledge and preparedness primipara mothers. The pre- and post-test nature of the methodology was a limitation of this study. Moreover, follow-up and outcomes of pregnancy were not assessed in the present study. The questionnaires used in the study were self-reported and not have separate test for pre- and post-knowledge and preparedness to obstetric emergencies and its management; hence, there was a chance of subjective assessment bias.