Effect of Lecture and Group Discussion on Improving the Nutritional knowledge of Pregnant Women in Gorgan

Background and Objective: It is imperative that the application of appropriate educational methods is of paramount importance to nutrition knowledge and health of pregnant women. Hence, this study aimed at investigating the effect of lecture and group discussion on improving pregnant women's awareness. Material and Methods: This peri-experimental study was conducted on ۱۱۰ pregnant women selected via cluster random sampling in eight villages of Gorgan, Iran, in ۲۰۰۹. They were allocated to two groups of lecture (n=۵۲) and group discussion (n=۳۶). The instrument was researcher made awareness questionnaire, consisting of ۲۲ questions, whose reliability was confirmed by Alpha Cronbach (۰.۶۴۷) for data analysis, we used Pearson correlation, pared t test and t-dependent. Results: The mean age of lecture group was ۲۴.۶۵± ۵.۱۳ and that of group discussion was ۲۳.۵۶± ۱۴.۴۸. the educational level in ۸۶.۵% of lecture group and ۹۴.۴% of group discussion was at the level of middle school. There was no significant relationship between lecture group and group discussion. Furthermore , both groups had not any significant correlation with variables such as gestational age, pregnancy history and education level.Conclusion: Given that the current training programs in health system are adequate, it is a necessity to motivate and promote healthy behavior in pregnant women.