Identifying and ranking factors affecting the information needs of pregnant women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Knowledge and Information Science, University of Qom, Qom, Iran (Corresponding author).

2 Assosiate Professor, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.

3 Phd student. Knowledge and Information Science, University of Qom

Abstract

Objective: Today's world is full of unknown phenomena. To pay attention to these phenomena and understand the world around them, people need information—information that cannot always be obtained through simple search and exploration. A review of research on information needs and information-seeking behavior reveals that recent studies have focused on specific user groups. One such group, whose information-seeking behavior is particularly important, is women, especially mothers. Their health and the improvement of their awareness and knowledge have a profound impact on society. Pregnancy, along with the significant experience of becoming a parent, is one of the most important and life-changing events, often regarded as a sensitive and challenging period, particularly for women. During this time, women require special care and access to relevant information. The aim of this study is to identify and rank the factors influencing the information needs of pregnant women.
Method: The present study is applied in purpose and classified as a field study in terms of data collection. The methodology is quantitative, employing the Delphi, Fuzzy, and Marcus techniques for data analysis. The statistical population consists of professors specializing in information science and epistemology. Sampling was conducted based on the expertise of specialists in the field of information needs related to pregnant women, resulting in the selection of nine participants. The sample size in this study was determined according to the principle of theoretical saturation. Data collection tools included interviews and two types of questionnaires: an expert survey questionnaire and Marcu’s priority survey questionnaire. The importance of the research factors was determined through expert opinions. The expert survey questionnaire was developed based on a literature review and demonstrated content validity. Additionally, the reliability and content validity of the research factors were confirmed using the Lawshe content validity ratio and expert feedback. The second questionnaire, designed using the Marcus method, is standardized, and its validity has been definitively established. To evaluate the research factors, three primary indicators were used: the degree of influence on information behavior, the degree of controllability, and the resources required to manage the factors. These indicators were obtained through questionnaires completed by experts. The number of experts (nine) and the final number of factors (21) were appropriate for this study. Additionally, the Marcus Priority Assessment Questionnaire demonstrated validity in terms of consistency and reliability.
Findings: Factors affecting the information needs of pregnant women were categorized into 9 components and 33 items based on background reviews and in the form of a questionnaire, which was then provided to experts. The 33 factors were subsequently evaluated using the fuzzy Delphi method. Factors with a defuzzification score greater than 0.7 were selected for final prioritization using the Marcus method. Twenty-one factors met this criterion and were included in the final analysis. According to the scores presented in Table 7, the highest priority social support factors are, in order: information about government financial and support programs, information about health and medical services, information about newborn health, information about proper nutrition during pregnancy, information about prenatal education, and information about pregnancy complications.
Conclusion: The results indicate that analyzing the factors influencing the information needs of pregnant women highlights the critical importance of social support during pregnancy. The demand for information in these areas is directly linked to the health and well-being of both pregnant women and their newborns. Each factor encompasses different dimensions of social support that contribute to enhancing the quality of life and health of this population. Therefore, providing and disseminating accurate and comprehensive information in these areas can play a vital role in improving the quality of life for pregnant women and their newborns.

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References

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Sciences and Techniques of Information Management
Volume 11, Issue 2
July 2025
Pages 361-396

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