Effects of a Prepared Childbirth Education on the Knowledge and Delivery Participation Levels of the Spouses of Primiparas

Sung, Mi Hae; Ju, Mi Sook; Ju, Kyung Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the effects of a prepared childbirth education on the knowledge and delivery participation levels of the spouses of primiparas. METHOD: The study's subjects were a convenience sample of 126 spouses, consisting of an experimental group of 74 educated for prepared childbirth for 10 hours. This study was measured by using a 41-item measurement instrument for knowledge of childbirth that was devised from Kang's(1981) instrument and a 23-item measurement instrument for measuring delivery levels which was developed through clinical experiences. The data gathered as analyzed by using SPSS WIN10.0. RESULT: There were no significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in homogeneity concerning the general characteristics of the spouses of primiparas. The first hypothesis, which stated that the level of knowledge of childbirth in the experimental group who received prepared childbirth education would be higher than in control group, was statistically supported by the Compared Independent Sample t-test(t=17.92, p=.000). The second hypothesis, which stated that the level of participation of delivery in the experimental group who received prepared childbirth education would be higher than in the control group, was also statistically supported (t=28.87, p=.000). The third hypothesis, which stated that there would be a correlation between the level of knowledge and the level of participation in the experimental group who received prepared childbirth education, showed a high positive correlation(r=.810, p=.000).
CONCLUSION
The above results indicate that the increase of knowledge through prepared childbirth education in the spouses of primiparas has a high correlation with delivery partici- pation levels which engenders physical and moral support for primiparas at delivery. Additionally, a varied prepared childbirth education acts as an effective means to increase under- standing and support for primiparas couples who experience tension, anxiety and fear due to an unprepared delivery in Korea.