The effect of transtheoretical model-based education on reproductive age woman’s decision making toward childbearing

Context: Childbearing is the most important determinants of population fluctuations. Childbearing decision-making is one of the most important issues in couple’s life. Aim: This study was done to determine the effect of transtheoretical model-based education on reproductive age woman’s decision-making toward childbearing. Setting and Design: This quasi-experimental study was done in nine urban community health centers in Amol city in Iran in 2017. Materials and Methods: In this study, we used multistage random sampling method was conducted among 75 reproductive age women (38 in the intervention group and 37 in the control group). Education in intervention group conducted in five sessions (specific content for precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation group) and continued in weekly online sessions (for 6 months). Control group got education according to routine program from health centers. All participants evaluated by demographic and decision-making questionnaires (based on transtheoretical model) before, 3, and 6 months after education. Statistical Analysis Used: Mean, standard deviation, frequency, t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, Mann– Whitney U, and Generalized Estimation Equation Test used. Results: The mean (standard deviation) of childbearing decision-making scores in education and control groups were as following: in the preeducation, 99.00 (16.60), 97.07 (13.34), 3 months later 109.34 (17.81), 98.44 (15.60), and 6 months after education 107.06 (16.73), 94.59 (15.24), respectively. Repeated measurement showed a significant difference in woman’s decision-making toward childbearing within and between the education and control group by time (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The educational program based on the transtheoretical model had a positive effect on reproductive age women’s decision-making toward childbearing.