Volume 25, Issue 3 (May-June 2026)
Payesh 2026, 25(3): 411-418 |
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Ethics code: IR.MUMS.FHMPM.REC.1402.164
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Dehghani A, GhozidehKar Z, Barkhi F, Sovezy L, AhmadiAzghandi Z, Peyman N. The relationship between health literacy of primiparous pregnant mothers and prenatal care in health centers in Mashhad. Payesh 2026; 25 (3) :411-418
URL: http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-2592-en.html
URL: http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-2592-en.html
Ashraf Dehghani1 
, Zohre GhozidehKar2 , Fatemeh Barkhi1 , Leila Sovezy1 , Zakieh AhmadiAzghandi1 , Nooshin Peyman *3
, Zohre GhozidehKar2 , Fatemeh Barkhi1 , Leila Sovezy1 , Zakieh AhmadiAzghandi1 , Nooshin Peyman *3
1- School of Health,Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2- Birjand University of Medical Sciences. Birjand, Iran
3- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
2- Birjand University of Medical Sciences. Birjand, Iran
3- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract: (79 Views)
Objective (s): Health literacy refers to an individual’s ability to access, understand, and apply health-related information in order to make informed decisions. Among primiparous women, adequate health literacy plays a vital role in ensuring timely prenatal care, maintaining maternal well-being during pregnancy, and achieving favorable outcomes. This study aimed to examine the association between maternal health literacy and prenatal care utilization among pregnant women attending health centers in Mashhad, Iran.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 218 primiparous pregnant women who visited health centers for routine prenatal services in 1402, using a stratified sampling method from 2 districts of Mashhad using a health literacy questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 software and Mann-Whitney U, Kruscal-Wallis, and linear regression tests.
Results: The average age of the participants was 25.40 with a minimum age of 16 years and a maximum of 45 years. The average health literacy of the study subjects was 82.46 out of 100. 4 people (1.8%) had insufficient health literacy, 46 people (21.1%) had borderline health literacy, and 164 people (75.2%) had adequate health literacy. Health literacy had statistically a significant association with age, education, information about vaccination during pregnancy, information about risk symptoms during pregnancy, visiting health centers, and taking action to eliminate risk symptoms during pregnancy (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings showed that nearly one-fourth of primiparous pregnant women had inadequate or borderline health literacy. Considering the mother’s role in family health and child development, this may signal concern for public health authorities. Since limited health literacy hinders understanding of medical advice, empowering mothers across age groups is essential. Educational interventions using diverse tools are recommended.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 218 primiparous pregnant women who visited health centers for routine prenatal services in 1402, using a stratified sampling method from 2 districts of Mashhad using a health literacy questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 software and Mann-Whitney U, Kruscal-Wallis, and linear regression tests.
Results: The average age of the participants was 25.40 with a minimum age of 16 years and a maximum of 45 years. The average health literacy of the study subjects was 82.46 out of 100. 4 people (1.8%) had insufficient health literacy, 46 people (21.1%) had borderline health literacy, and 164 people (75.2%) had adequate health literacy. Health literacy had statistically a significant association with age, education, information about vaccination during pregnancy, information about risk symptoms during pregnancy, visiting health centers, and taking action to eliminate risk symptoms during pregnancy (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings showed that nearly one-fourth of primiparous pregnant women had inadequate or borderline health literacy. Considering the mother’s role in family health and child development, this may signal concern for public health authorities. Since limited health literacy hinders understanding of medical advice, empowering mothers across age groups is essential. Educational interventions using diverse tools are recommended.
type of study: Descriptive |
Subject:
Reproductive Health
Received: 2024/12/5 | Accepted: 2025/09/19 | ePublished ahead of print: 2026/04/25 | Published: 2026/05/6
Received: 2024/12/5 | Accepted: 2025/09/19 | ePublished ahead of print: 2026/04/25 | Published: 2026/05/6
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