Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Sep 24:e70122.
doi: 10.1111/mcn.70122. Online ahead of print.

Effects of Video-Based Health Education on Birth Outcomes and Anaemia Status of Mothers in Dirashe District South Ethiopia: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Wanzahun Godana Boynito  1   2 , Kidus Temesgen Worsa  1 , Befikadu Tariku Gutema  1   2 , Yordanos Gizachew Yeshitila  3   4 , Godana Yaya Tessema  5 , Tsegaye Yohanis  6 , Stefaan De Henauw  2 , Piet Cools  7 , Bruno Levecke  8 , Souheila Abbeddou  2
Affiliations

Effects of Video-Based Health Education on Birth Outcomes and Anaemia Status of Mothers in Dirashe District South Ethiopia: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Wanzahun Godana Boynito et al. Matern Child Nutr. .

Abstract

Undernutrition and infections during pregnancy result in low birth weight (LBW) and maternal anaemia. Social behaviour change communication (SBCC) can promote recommended health practices, potentially improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. This cluster-randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of video-based health education on adherence to iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation, pregnancy outcomes, and anaemia status among pregnant women in rural Dirashe District, South Ethiopia. Pregnant women in their first trimester across 16 villages were cluster-randomized into either the intervention or control arms. The control arm received standard antenatal care counselling, while the intervention arm received biweekly video-based nutrition and health education at home until delivery. The primary outcomes included adherence to IFA supplementation, birth outcomes, including neonatal length and weight, and maternal haemoglobin concentrations (Hb) throughout pregnancy. Among 596 enroled pregnant women, 519 provided data until delivery. The intervention significantly improved adherence to IFA supplementation, with a mean difference (95% Confidence Interval) of 25.98 (15.60, 36.36) in IFA disappearance rate and a mean percent difference of 14.80% (3.42, 63.99) in self-reported adherence. The intervention significantly improved birth weight, with a mean difference of 204.9 g (38.7, 371.2). Maternal Hb near delivery improved statistically with a mean difference of 0.22 g/dL (0.15, 0.42), with lower anaemia (Hb < 11.0 g/dL) prevalence, with a mean percent difference of -0.08% (-0.12, -0.04). However, no significant effect on birth length or LBW was observed. Video-based SBCC improved IFA adherence, birth weight, and reduced anaemia near delivery. It is a promising approach for community health education in resource-limited settings. REGISTRATION: The study was registered as a clinical trial with the US National Institute of Health (www//.ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT04414527).

Keywords: Ethiopia; anaemia; birth outcomes; maternal health service; social behaviour change communication; video‐based health education.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Abbeddou, S., E. Yakes Jimenez, J. W. Somé, J. B. Ouédraogo, K. H. Brown, and S. Y. Hess. 2017. “Small‐Quantity Lipid‐Based Nutrient Supplements Containing Different Amounts of Zinc Along With Diarrhea and Malaria Treatment Increase Iron and Vitamin A Status and Reduce Anemia Prevalence, But Do Not Affect Zinc Status in Young Burkinabe Children: A Cluster‐Randomized Trial.” BMC Pediatrics 17, no. 1: 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-016-0765-9.
    1. Abeysena, C., P. Jayawardana, and A. S. R. de. 2010. “Maternal Haemoglobin Level at Booking Visit and Its Effect on Adverse Pregnancy Outcome.” Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 50, no. 5: 423–427. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828X.2010.01220.x.
    1. Abujilban, S., R. Hatamleh, and S. Al‐Shuqerat. 2019. “The Impact of a Planned Health Educational Program on the Compliance and Knowledge of Jordanian Pregnant Women With Anemia.” Women & Health 59, no. 7: 748–759. https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2018.1549644.
    1. Adam, M., J. Johnston, N. Job, et al. 2021. “Evaluation of a Community‐Based Mobile Video Breastfeeding Intervention in Khayelitsha, South Africa: The Philani Movie Cluster‐Randomized Controlled Trial.” PLoS Medicine 18, no. 9: e1003744. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003744.
    1. Adams, G., M. Gulliford, O. Ukoumunne, S. Chinn, and M. Campbell. 2003. “Geographical and Organisational Variation in the Structure of Primary Care Services: Implications for Study Design.” Journal of Health Services Research & Policy 8, no. 2: 87–93. https://doi.org/10.1258/135581903321466058.

Associated data

LinkOut - more resources