The effect of educational intervention on nutritional behavior in pregnant women based on social cognitive theory

Abstract Background One of the key issues for women’s health is pregnancy. Healthy nutrition during pregnancy is a reliable guarantee for proper pregnancy and childbirth. This study sought to determine the impact of an educational intervention based on social cognitive theory on the nutritional behavior of pregnant women in Iran Methods This randomized controlled trial study was carried out in women of reproductive age in Iran, from February to April 2020. The samples were divided into experimental (n = 150) and control (n = 150) groups. The questionnaire included demographic questions, questions related to the structures of social cognitive theory and nutritional behavior questionnaire. The data were analyzed through the SPSS20 and AMOS23 software. Results The mean age of the women was 28.11 ± 6.54 and 28.83 ± 6.62 years in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The results of the Structural Equation Model showed that direct effect of self-efficacy, self-regulation, and mutual determinants on behavior were significant. After the educational intervention, nutritional behavior in the experimental group was increased significantly. Also, there was a significant difference between two groups in structures such as outcome expectations, outcome value, self-efficacy and knowledge. But there was no significant increase in the self-regulation and social support after educational intervention. Conclusion Social cognitive theory as a theoretical framework is able to predict healthy eating behavior during pregnancy. Also educational intervention based on the structures of social cognitive theory, improved the behavior of pregnant mothers. Educational intervention based on social cognitive theory and providing simple and understandable training packages for pregnant women is recommended.