Role of psychological and background variables to prediction of regular prenatal care services receiptRunning title: Prediction of regular prenatal care receipt

Background & Aim: Regular prenatal care reduces pregnancy and childbirth morbidity with opportune detection of risk factors. The present study aimed to investigate the role of some of psychological and background variables of pregnant women living in Hormozgan Province villages to prediction of regular prenatal care services receipt.Methods & Materials: This was a cross-sectional study was conducted with participation of 400 pregnant women of Hormozgan health facilities in 2015. Firstly, quota sampling, then convenience sampling was done. Data was collected using Risk Behavior Diagnosis Scale based on The Extended Parallel Process Model s constructs. Data analysis was done using SPSS-version 22.Results: The strongest model s constructs those predict intention to receive prenatal care include, perceived self-efficacy (B=0.973), perceived response-efficacy (B= 0.373), perceived susceptibility (B=-0.367), and perceived severity (B= - 0.239). Having a male child, and the history of infertility were associated with a higher mean score of behavioral intention, while the larger household size, illiteracy of the pregnant woman, unwanted pregnancy, need to caring the younger child(ren) or an elderly person at home, and the spouse s occupation as a laborer were associated with a lower mean score( P<0.001).Conclusion: According to the present studies results, recognition of pregnant women in order to identify and correct their amendable mental barriers and so to educate, counsel and enhance of their self-efficacy may be beneficial for receiving prenatal care services.

کلیدواژه ها:

prenatal care ، psychological factors ، extended parallel process model