Effectiveness of art-based health education on anemia and health literacy among pregnant women in Western Nepal: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

ObjectiveAs Nepalese pregnant women vary widely in literacy levels and cultural backgrounds and are reluctant to make decisions about their health, general interventions are insufficient to improve maternal anemia. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of "face-to-face health education using educational material created using pictures, photos, and nomograms" in reducing anemia and improving health literacy.MethodsA total of 156 Nepalese pregnant women with hemoglobin (Hb) levels below 11.0 g/dl were divided into three groups: the education group received three sessions of face-to-face health education using art-based material unaffected by literacy skills; the distribution group received material used in the education group; and the control group underwent general perinatal checkups. Hb levels and health literacy scores were assessed at baseline early pregnancy (8-12 weeks) and late pregnancy (36-40 weeks). A Nepalese version of the 14-item Health Literacy Scale (HLS-14) was developed to assess health literacy.ResultsThe post-intervention three-group comparison showed a statistically significant difference (P ConclusionContinuous face-to-face health education using literacy material significantly reduced anemia and improved health literacy among Nepalese pregnant women.Trial registrationUMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ (Registration number: UMIN000049603).