The impact of maternal health literacy on pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: A good level of maternal health literacy is important for pregnancy outcomes. The concept comprises the knowledge, use, and decision-making aspects that a woman possesses to manage health related information that impacts prenatal care, self-management of diseases, and other managerial health solutions. Low HL is predictive of complications during pregnancy and the common indicator of premature birth and low birth weight. Objective: The purpose of this research is to quantify the effects of maternal health literacy on preterm birth, birth weight, and maternal morbidity so as to quantify the correlation coefficients.

Methodology:

Study design : A systematic review. Duration and place of study : The study was done in 3 months at AJK Medical College. Data collection methods: This systematic review has expanded from 25 studies identified through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science that target maternal health literacy and pregnancy outcomes. Quantitative aspects were reported as mean age, standard deviation, and p-values were obtained and cross-compared across the different studies. Selection criteria concerned female subjects aged 18-45 with no comorbidities that would affect their pregnancy outcomes.

Results: The study sample comprised the 1,200 patients, with a mean age of 29.4 years (±5.8 years). Statistical analysis revealed that maternal health literacy was to some extent predictive of birth outcomes. Maternal health literacy showed a significant negative correlation both to preterm birth (Z = -2.569, p <0.05) and low birth weight (Z = -3.246, p <0.01 ). A study highlighted higher maternal morbidity where clients with higher health literacy levels recorded lesser gestational diabetes than those with low health literacy levels (p < 0.05). Other utilisation-focused health literacy interventions improved the receiver’s compliance with antenatal clinic attendance and even healthier delivery outcomes.

Conclusion: The present research is to describe and explain changes in maternal health literacy and its impact on pregnancy outcomes regarding preterm births, low birth weight, and maternal morbidity. Health literacy should form part of prenatal care, especially for females who have low access to quality care, in order to enhance the overall maternal and neonatal health.

Keywords: Health knowledge, pregnancy outcomes, premature delivery, antenatal care.