The Effect of Antenatal Education Programme on Maternal-foetal Outcomes in Hong Kong Chinese Women

Abstract

Objective: To explore the relationship between the attendance of the designated antenatal education programme and the maternal-foetal outcomes for Chinese women in the obstetric unit of a regional hospital in Hong Kong.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective correlational design was used. A maternal-foetal outcomes data collection form was developed to collect relevant data by case note review method.

Results: Two hundred and seventy-two case notes were reviewed. The age of the sample ranged from 17 to 42 years, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 29.43 (4.52) years. Of them, 30 (11%) were in advanced maternal age, i.e., 35 years or above. Their height ranged from 145 to 172 cm, with a mean (standard deviation) height of 158.09 (5.19) cm. Ten (3.7%) of them were regarded as short stature, i.e., less than 150 cm in height. The body mass index ranged from 14.88 to 29.98, with a mean (standard deviation) of 20.76 (2.88). Eleven (4.0%) of them were underweight with body mass index below 17, and 25 (9.2%) were overweight with body mass index over 25. For their education level, 225 (82.7%) had at least secondary level (Form 4 to 5). Twenty-three (8.5%) of them were either single or cohabited. Most of them were working mothers. Only 72 (26.5%) were housewives. Eighty (29.4%) of them were under midwifery care.
Conclusion: There were some significant differences in the clinical and psychosocial outcomes, but no significance in the fiscal outcomes when comparing the primiparae who attended and those who did not attend the designated antenatal education programme.