Application of the Principles of Vella’s Dialogue Education in Antenatal Education Programs: A Qualitative Research

Introduction: It is a long time that educational activities have been used to improve pregnant women’s lives and keep them healthy. This research aims at interpreting pregnant women’s experiences of maternal health education who visited maternal care center, according to the 12 principles of Vella’s dialogue education. Methods: This content analysis qualitative study was conducted in a health clinic in Tehran province. A purposive sample of 15 pregnant women was selected. An interview guide and an observation checklist were used to collect data. Interviews were coded and categorized in predetermined categories. Results: According to experiences of pregnant women visiting the maternal care center, all the 12 principles in general and especially 4 of them were less observed. These include: formation of a sound relationship, need assessment, safety, and clear roles. The principle of sound relationship including humility, patience, and respect by instructor, his/her accountability for immediate response to learners’ questions, spending enough time for education should be considered strongly. Moreover, improvement of prenatal education depends on pregnant women’s need assessment before education, providing safety during education, defining the new role of midwife throughout education for target group, and clarifying the parthnership role of men in pregnancy period. Conclusion: In addition to providing a stronger recognition about the manner of holding educational sessions in maternal care center, supplying a comprehensive definition about experiences of employing twelve principles of Vella’s Dialogue Education this study has efforted to underlie steps toward reducing the failures in this path. However Vella has not pointed to the “patience” as a requisite in formation of a sound relationship, findings of the study shows tht this construct is a necessary factor for formation of a firm relationship in Iran.