An interventional study to improve the knowledge regarding low birth weight and its likely determinants among antenatal couples in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka 

Background: Low Birth Weight (LBW) is a significant public health issue. Therefore, improving knowledge and awareness among pregnant mothers and their partners about LBW and its determinants is vital
Objectives: To implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based health promotion intervention on pregnant mothers and their partners to increase knowledge on LBW and its determinants
Method: This community-based interventional study utilized a pre-test and post-test design. The study involved 403 antenatal couples (comprising pregnant mothers and their partners), each of whom completed interviewer-administered questionnaires. The intervention followed community-based health promotion approach to enhance participants' knowledge; 104 group discussions were held in 26 antenatal clinics with an average duration of three hours per session. These included one initial training session and three follow-up sessions in each clinic. Intervention spanned four months. Statistical methods were employed to analyse pre- and post-intervention data.
Results: A significant improvement in knowledge concerning LBW and its determinants was observed among pregnant mothers and their partners. Participants with initially low pre-assessment knowledge scores demonstrated improvement.
Conclusions: Knowledge about LBW and its determinants among antenatal couples improved significantly following the community-based health promotion interventions.