Knowledge Valuation by Iranian Women with High-Risk Pregnancy: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Abstract

Background: Gaining adequate knowledge about high-risk pregnancy (HRP) and correct<br />understanding of the condition, empowers women to improve the use of prenatal care, practice better<br />self-care, and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. The present study aimed to assess the<br />valuation of knowledge by Iranian women with HRP.<br />Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted on 25 women with HRP from August 2017<br />to August 2018 at various educational hospitals in Mashhad, Iran. The data were collected through<br />in-depth semi-structured interviews. The data collection process continued until data saturation.<br />The data were analyzed using the conventional content analysis method and MAXQDA software<br />(version10.0). Data collection and data analysis were conducted concurrently.<br />Results: Based on the analysis of the interviews, two main categories and eight sub-categories were<br />extracted. The main categories were “Positive valuation of credible problem-relevant knowledge" and<br />“Avoidance of misleading and stressful information". The results showed that various factors had a<br />positive impact on knowledge gathering, namely personal and other people's experiences, obtaining<br />need-based information, sympathetic advice from others, and faith-based health recommendations.<br />On the other hand, factors that had a negative impact were related to the type of information that<br />caused stress, was unreliable, inefficient or incompatible with personal goals.<br />Conclusion: The findings of the present study would help health care providers to offer suitable and<br />empathetic counseling to women with HRP. Providing valid and accessible sources of information will<br />lead to faster and timely referrals of such patients.