Effect of Designed Educational Program on Pregnant Women' Knowledge and Attitude towards Stem Cells and Cord Blood Banking.

Background: Stem cells and cord blood banking is important for biologic insurance and treating diseases of pregnant women's families. So, knowledge and attitude of the pregnant women regarding collection and banking of cord blood stem cells are essential. Aim: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of designed educational program on the pregnant women' knowledge and attitude toward stem cells and cord blood banking. Design: Quasi- experimental design was followed to accomplish the aim of the current study. Setting: obstetric and gynecological out-patient clinic in Benha University Hospital at Benha city. Sample: A Purposive sample of (80) pregnant women was selected for data collection according to inclusion criteria. Tools: Two main tools were used; tool (I); a structured interviewing questionnaire that consisted of three parts: (1): general characteristics of the studied sample, (2): obstetric history, (3): assessment of pregnant women`s knowledge about stem cells and cord blood banking. Tool (II) consisted of pregnant women`s attitude towards stem cells and cord blood banking. Results: The majority of the pregnant women had adequate knowledge and more than three fourth of the pregnant women had positive attitude towards stem cells and cord blood banking immediately post program and follow up compered to preprogram with a highly statistically significant throughout program phases (P ≤ 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the total knowledge and attitude scores of the studied pregnant women throughout program phases (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The designed educational program has a positive effect in improving pregnant women' knowledge and attitude toward stem cells and cord blood banking. Recommendation: provide ongoing health educational programs about stem cells and cord blood banking to pregnant women as a part of antenatal care and provided at all the delivery department.