Testing the effectiveness of Community-Based Continuous Training Project on Improving the Domains of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness Intention Among Expecting Couples in Rural Settings of Rukwa Tanzania, A Controlled Quasi Experimental Study

Abstract

\n Background: According to theory of planned behavior, the intention to engage into a behavior predicts the behavior to occur. The intention to engage into a behavior is influenced by three domains which are the attitude towards the behavior, the perceived subjective norms and the perceived behavior control. The study aimed at testing the effectiveness of a Community Based Continuous training (CBCT) intervention on improving the three domains of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) intention. Method: The quasi-experimental study design with control was done from June 2017 until March 2018. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to obtain 561 couples. Pre-test and end-line information were collected using semi-structured questionnaires developed using theory of planned behavior. The effectiveness of the intervention on improving domains of BPCR intention was assessed by using both independent t-test and pared t-test. Results: In comparison between groups at posttest assessment, there was a significant increase in mean scores only on perceived subjective norms in the intervention group if compared to the control group among pregnant women. Among male partners, none of the domain showed a significant difference between the intervention group and control group. In the comparison within groups, mean scores in all three domains had significant increase at posttest in both groups among male partners while among pregnant women the significant increase in the three domains were only among pregnant women in the intervention group. The predictor of change on attitudes and subjective norms mean scores were only the intervention β=0.065, p<0.05 and β=0.112, p=0.001 respectively. Predictors of change in perceived behavior control mean scores towards birth preparedness were level of education (secondary school, β=0.066, p<0.05), age at marriage (more than 24 years, β=0.069, p<0.05) and ethnic group (others, β=-0.067, p<0.05).Conclusion: The improvement brought by the intervention indicates that the intervention has the potential to significantly change the attitude and subjective norms domains of BPCR intention. The study recommends the CBCT intervention to be used in rural community to improve attitude and perceived subjective norms of BPCR intention.