Knowledge and belief about postpartum lifestyle among nulliparous mothers, Tabriz 2013

Introduction: Postpartum period can influence on the women's hygiene and lifestyle. Postpartum lifestyle includes physical activity, nutrition and health-related behaviors. Women's knowledge about puerperium care and health concerns enables them to prevent the complications. This study was performed with aim to assess knowledge and belief regarding postpartum lifestyle and its predictors among nulliparous mothers in Tabriz. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 nulliparous mothers admitted in postpartum wards in two medical and training hospitals and one private hospital in Tabriz in 2013. Convenience method was used for sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires of socio- demographic, knowledge and belief related to lifestyle. The data analysis was performed by SPSS software (version 18) and independent t-test, one way ANOVA, univariate and multivariate general linear model. PResults: The Mean±SD score of knowledge and belief were 72.6±16.9 and 50.4±12.5, respectively, of the attainable range score of 0-100. According to general linear model and with adjusting on other variables, having university education and receiving care from both physician and health center had statistically significant positive association with knowledge score, and there was significant positive relationship between education level and belief (P=0.015). Conclusion: In the present study, the rate of knowledge of lifestyle was good and belief score was at moderate level. Education level and place of receiving prenatal care were the most important variables affecting knowledge and belief about postpartum lifestyle.