Nutrition and physical activity guidance for women in the pre- and post-natal period: a continuing education needs assessment in primary health care
Roger Hughes A D , Judith Maher B , Elizabeth Baillie B and Doug Shelton C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Public Health, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4217, Australia.
B School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Qld 4558, Australia.
C Community and Child Health, Gold Coast Health Services District, Bundall, Qld 4217, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: r.hughes@griffith.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 17(2) 135-141 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY10012
Submitted: 9 April 2010 Accepted: 8 November 2010 Published: 7 June 2011
Abstract
The study objective was to assess primary health care (PHC) providers’ exposure to women in the pre- and post-natal period, current nutrition and physical activity guidance practices, confidence and perceived needs for continuing education relevant to nutrition and physical activity guidance in the peri-natal period. A self-administered cross-sectional questionnaire survey amongst a purposively recruited sample of 226 local primary health care providers evenly distributed across general practice, community nursing, pharmacist and pharmacy assistant worker groups. The questionnaire contained 106 items about primary health care providers’ exposure to women in the pre- and post-natal life-stage, their current nutrition and physical activity guidance practices, confidence and perceived needs for continuing education relevant to nutrition and physical activity guidance in the peri-natal period. Results indicate that PHC providers across general practice, community nursing and pharmacy service settings are frequently accessed by women during this life-stage, and regularly and variably provide guidance on nutrition and physical activity, and report different continuing education needs. Continuing education interventions need to be tailored to match the needs of each PHC group. Pharmacy-based staff are a priority for PHC continuing education about nutrition and physical activity if the potential of the community-based pharmacy as a primary health setting is to be realised.
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