Abstract: Objective To compare the awareness rate of reproductive-related knowledge and the improvement of reproductiverelated healthy lifestyle between traditional health education model and problem-based health education(PBL) in the process of health education for prevention birth defects,and to explore more effective health education methods for prevention birth defects.Methods Similar experimental control method was used.PBL was used in the observation group and traditional health education mode was used in the control group.Questionnaire survey was conducted before and after health education to understand the knowledge and behavior of women of childbearing age in the two groups.Results The awareness rate of national free assistance policy,prenatal examination,national free prenatal screening policy,prenatal eugenics examination,reproductive age,prevention of infection,concept of birth defects,prenatal examination to prevent birth defects,folic acid to prevent birth defects,the relationship between birth defects and husband and wife,and smoking or drinking,and the proportion of the couples with alcohol habits plan to stop bad habits during pregnancy,preparation for pregnancy by diet,paying attention to life radiation,taking folic acid during pregnancy(including pregnancy preparation),receiving prenatal eugenics examination,and often participation in health education activities in the observation group were higher than those in the control group.The difference is statistically significant.Conclusion In order to prevent birth defects,both of the health education models can effectively improve the awareness rate of relevant knowledge for women of childbearing age.However,PBL method can more effectively improve their lifestyle related to reproductive health.