International Journal of Medicine and Health Development · Published 2026-07-01 · DOI 10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_112_25
Chidiebele P. Ojukwu, Chioma C. Okeakpu, Ogechukwu J. Nebo, Emelie M. Anekwu, Chioma R. Umeh, Juliet L. Ekowa, Theresa U. Nwagha
Abstract Background: Pregnancy-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) poses a significant threat to maternal health, contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality. Reduced mobility in pregnant women among other factors, for example, hormonal changes and medical conditions, contributes to this problem. Early mobilization after childbirth has emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate this risk. Objective: This study investigated the effectiveness of a targeted maternal education program (Move-for-flow) in enhancing pregnant women’s understanding of post-parturition early mobilization as a vital preventive measure against VTE. Materials and Methods: Forty pregnant women from Enugu State Teaching Hospital participated in this quasi-experimental study. Education was provided through audiovisual aids and pamphlets, with knowledge assessed at three time points using a structured questionnaire. Results: This study demonstrated significant knowledge gaps among pregnant women regarding deep venous thrombosis (DVT; 30%) and pulmonary embolism (PE; 27.5%). The Move-for-Flow program yielded substantial improvements in knowledge levels of DVT, PE, and post-parturition early mobilization as a preventive strategy of VTE (P < 0.001, 0.002, and 0.04 respectively). Conclusion: The Move-for-Flow maternal education program significantly improved pregnant women’s knowledge of DVT, PE, and postpartum early mobilization as a preventive strategy against VTE. These findings support the integration of comprehensive VTE education into routine antenatal care to enhance maternal awareness and preventive practices. However, as this was a pilot study with a small sample size, larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish their generalizability.
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Ojukwu, C., Okeakpu, C., Nebo, O., et al. (2026). Maternal Education for Improving Knowledge of Postpartum Early Mobilization for Preventing Venous-Thromboembolism: Move-for-flow Pilot Study. International Journal of Medicine and Health Development. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_112_25