. Maryam Sabouri; . Elham Shakibazadeh; . Bahram Mohebbi; . Azar Tol; . Mehdi Yaseri; . Sohrab Babaee
Volume 10, Issue 10 , October 2020, , Pages 1-8
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Empowerment is an essential issue in women’s lives. Powerful women can actsuccessfully in health‑related issues more than others. This study aimed to determine the ...
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BACKGROUND: Empowerment is an essential issue in women’s lives. Powerful women can actsuccessfully in health‑related issues more than others. This study aimed to determine the effectivenessof an educational intervention designed based on theory of planned behavior (TPB) on health careempowerment among married women in reproductive age.METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was carried out among 488 reproductive‑age womenbetween 2018 and 2019 in Tehran, Iran. Participants were recruited using randomized clustersampling and divided into intervention (n = 243) and control (n = 245) groups by random allocation.Data were collected using a self‑administered researcher‑made questionnaire based on TPB andHealth Care Empowerment Questionnaire. Validity (content validity index = 0.87; content validityratio = 0.89) and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed ( = 0.96). Intervention wasimplemented within four sessions (lasting 60 min) using eight health related scenarios based onTPB constructs. Baseline and post intervention data (6 months after the intervention) were analyzedby SPSS25 (Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) using independent t‑test, Chi‑squared test, Fisher’s Exact test,Mann–Whitney, path analysis, and regression of generalized estimating equation model. P < 0.05was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: Results showed the mean ± standard deviation age of the participants was 33.6 ± 7.1.Six months after the intervention, a significant difference was highlighted in health care empowermentdomains as well as behavioral intention, attitude toward behavior, subjective norms, and perceivedbehavioral control (P < 0.001) between intervention and control groups.CONCLUSION: TPB‑based educational intervention can significantly improve women’s perceptionabout health care empowerment. Tailoring and implementation of TPB‑based intervention by healthpolicy makers and health care providers is suggested to achieve better perception of empowermenttoward receiving health care among women.
