Effect of Educational Guidelines on Newly Pregnant Women's Knowledge and Anxiety Regarding Rhesus Incompatibility

Background: Rhesus (Rh) incompatibility is a significant factor in prenatal care that impacts maternal health, especially for women who are Rh-negative. A lack of awareness regarding the issue of Rh incompatibility is one of the barriers to early prevention. Evaluating the knowledge and anxiety levels of pregnant women concerning Rh incompatibility is crucial for preventing and managing complications related to this condition.   Aim: To evaluate the effect of educational guidelines on newly pregnant women's knowledge and anxiety regarding rhesus incompatibility.  Design: A quasi-experimental research design was employed to conduct this study.   Setting: The research was carried out in the antenatal clinic at Sohag University Hospital.   Sample: A convenient sample of 200 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinics was selected.  Tools of data collection: Three instruments were utilized: Tool (I) a structured interview questionnaire, Tool (II) Pregnant women's knowledge assessment sheet regarding rhesus incompatibility, and Tool (III) the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale.  Results: The findings of the current study indicated a statistically significant difference in the level of knowledge regarding rhesus incompatibility among pregnant women following the educational guidelines intervention. Furthermore, the study revealed a highly statistically significant decrease in anxiety scores (P= <0.001) among the pregnant women studied after the intervention of educational guidelines.  C Conclusion: The intervention of educational guidelines positively influences the enhancement of knowledge and the reduction of anxiety levels concerning rhesus incompatibility among newly pregnant women.  Recommendations: It is essential for all health facilities and stakeholders to organize health education programs aimed at disseminating knowledge about rhesus incompatibility to newly pregnant women. Additionally, providing health education supported by pamphlets and brochures about the Rh factor and rhesus incompatibility for newly pregnant women is recommended, along with the implementation of a Rhesus compatibility screening program for intending couples and first-time mothers.