Evaluation of the Effect of Educational Courses Containing Food Safety Instructions on the Level of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Pregnant Women: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Background and Aims Food safety during pregnancy significantly affects maternal health, fetal growth and development, birth outcomes, and future generations. Therefore, assessing the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women during this period is crucial. This study aimed to examine the effects of educational food safety courses on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant women. Methods A cross‐sectional descriptive study was conducted from February to November 2023. Four hundred pregnant women, who were covered by healthcare centers in Mashhad, completed the questionnaire in the first phase. From this group, 144 individuals with lower levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices were selected for the second phase. Two months after implementing the educational program, the same questionnaire was administered again to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practices, which were statistically tested. Results The majority of participants were housewives (81.3%) aged between 16 and 31 (58.8%), with a college education (68.8%), and most had lived in a metropolis (82.3%). For 30% of the respondents, this was their first pregnancy, and 57.1% were in their third trimester. Among the demographic factors analyzed, only knowledge and education levels showed a significant relationship ( p < 0.05). Pregnant women in the intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding food safety following the educational program ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Increasing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant women regarding food safety through educational pamphlets is a low‐cost and effective intervention. This approach can be expanded to a broader population through improved collaboration among government agencies and maternal and child health service providers.