Background Obstetric ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging modality that uses sound waves to provide a real-time image of the foetus. Women’s knowledge of and attitudes toward ultrasound are suggested to influence their responses, and a variety of barriers also influence their practices. Objectives This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, barriers, and associated factors of obstetric ultrasound among pregnant women in public hospitals in Addis Ababa. Methods and materials An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 422 pregnant women from July to August 2021 using systematic random sampling. A structured questionnaire was employed, entered into Epi Info 7.2, and analysed in SPSS 23. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. Result The proportion with good knowledge of obstetric ultrasound was 51.4%, and that with positive attitudes was 70.1%. Women with a degree and above (AOR 2.70; 95% CI 0.21–35.23), government employment (AOR 3.901; 95% CI 1.92–7.90), and previous ultrasound exposure (AOR 1.966; 95% CI 1.24–3.12) were significantly associated with knowledge. Government-employed women (AOR 6.83; 95% CI 2.43–19.18), women with 1000–5000birr in household income (AOR 5.31; 95% CI 2.01–14.03), and women with a history of births with congenital anomalies (AOR 21.07; 95% CI 2.09–21.21) were significantly associated with the attitude toward obstetric ultrasound. Participants in the study expressed a variety of barriers that influenced their practices; long waiting time was the most common (77.3%). Conclusion Pregnant women’s levels of knowledge and attitudes towards obstetric ultrasound were moderately good. However, there were a variety of barriers, including patient privacy, waiting time, handling, and side effects, that influenced the utilisation of ultrasound.

Background: Prenatal ultrasound in antenatal care is widely recognised as one method of reducing maternal mortality. Pregnant women's knowledge and attitudes concerning prenatal ultrasound are thought to influence their response. However, little is known about pregnant women’s attitude and practice of prenatal ultrasound in Addis Ababa. This study aimed to assess attitude, practice and associated factors of pregnant women toward prenatal ultrasound in public hospitals of Addis Ababa. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 404 pregnant women from June to July 2022 at four public hospitals of Addis Ababa. A simple random sampling and systematic random sampling were used to select the study area and eligible individuals respectively. Interview using a structured questionnaire was employed. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with attitude and practice. The odds ratio at 95% confidence interval with p-value less than 0.05% were considered statistically significant. Results: Magnitude of having positive attitude and good practice of pregnant women toward prenatal ultrasound were 71.5% and 60.6% respectively. Government employed women (AOR: 2.327; 95%CI: 1.177-4.600), ultrasound exposure for reason other than pregnancy (AOR: 2.009; 95%CI: 1.226-3.293), history of congenital anomaly (AOR: 4.82; 95%CI: 1.765-13.164) and experience of pregnancy (AOR: 2.36; 95%CI: 1.348-4.130) were significantly associated with attitude of prenatal ultrasound. Government employed (AOR=2.286; 95%CI: 1.110-4.708), ultrasound exposure (AOR= 1.893; 95%CI; 1.211-2.960), history of congenital anomaly birth (AOR= 2.444; 95%CI: 1.070-5.582), and women's knowledge of ultrasound (AOR= 2.018; 95%CI: 1.230-3.311) were significantly associated with practice. Conclusions; The level of attitude and practice toward prenatal ultrasound can be improved with increase knowledge of obstetric ultrasound scan to all antenatal women. Health professionals in antenatal care units should advise pregnant women to improve their attitude and practice that helps to have prenatal ultrasound scan as recommended by the WHO.

Ultrasound has developed into a vital medical diagnostic tool during the past 60 years. Theodore Dussik and his brother Friederich were the first to utilize ultrasound in the 1930s and 1940s to identify a brain tumor. Ultrasonography is now used for many different situations, such as disease detection, assisting with biopsy taking, monitoring previously diagnosed abnormalities, and assessing pregnancy. Unfortunately, the general public is unaware of the role of ultrasound in women’s health for purposes other than pregnancy assessment. This chapter’s major goal is to give a comprehensive overview of the various roles that ultrasound plays in women’s health. Furthermore, this chapter aims to make the general public more aware of the importance that ultrasound plays in women’s health. The authors used a wide range of sources for this work, such as books and peer-reviewed publications. The key roles of ultrasound examination in women’s health include: assessment of female reproductive organs, determination of causes of infertility, assessment of pregnancy and related problems, and assessment of the breast and abdomen. The general public should be made aware of the importance of ultrasound in women’s health.