Year

1990

Degree Name

Master of Education (Hons.)

Department

Faculty of Education

Abstract

Following the identification of a need for a common prenatal education curriculum in the niawarra area, this research project was developed to formulate, implement and evaluate such a curriculum. The evaluation focused on whether prenatal educators and their clients would view the draft curriculum and its content favourably. The study also aimed at determining whether the clients' attitudes, health behaviours, and knowledge toward pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting changed as a result of being exposed to classes in which the draft curriculum was used. Seven prenatal educators implemented the draft curriculum in their prenatal classes and participated in the evaluation. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to elicit answers to the research questions. A quasi-experimental design was used to determine if the clients' attitudes, health behaviours, and knowledge changed during the course of the study. The results of the study demonstrated that the draft curriculum was a valuable resource to prenatal educators, the aims and objectives were realistic and achievable, and the content was viewed favourably by both educators and clients. The knowledge base of clients increased following exposure to the draft curriculum, however, minimal changes were detected in their attitudes and heath behaviours. Following the completion of the study the prenatal education curriculum was amended to reflect the evaluation of the educators and clients who participated in the study.

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.