Demographic conditioning of awareness of prophylaxis against Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) infections among parturients

Abstract

Introduction: Infection with Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus -GBS) is a frequent cause of serious complications in the neonatal period. Circa 10-30% of pregnant women are carriers of this streptococcus. Current prophylaxis of GBS infections is an elementary way of defining whether there is a risk of the child's infection. The achieved research result determines further perinatal proceedings. Aim of the research:To determine how such factors as age, residence, education, and current women's parity influence their awareness concerning prophylaxis of infections with Streptococcus agalactiae. The research also analysed women's knowledge of threats to their health related to the presence of GBS infections. Material and methods: Analysis of 164 author's questionnaires completed by women giving birth at the labour ward in the early delivery stage. The results were analysed in view of statistical accordance of measurable qualities by means of c 2 test. For statistical conclusions, the significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. Results and conclusions: Older pregnant women in comparison with the younger ones more frequently realise the importance of the GBS prophylaxis. Women from the urban environment have greater awareness of the GBS prophylaxis than women from the rural environment. An increase in the level of education is related to an increase in the GBS prophylaxis awareness. Women in their first pregnancy have a greater knowledge of the standards of pregnancy proceedings connected with GBS than women who have already given birth to a child.

Awareness of Pregnancy Screening for Group B Streptococcus Infection Among Women of Reproductive Age and Physicians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

“…A comparison of the findings with those reported in studies conducted by Alshengeti et al and Youden et al confirmed a low level of GBS awareness among women [ 7 , 16 ]. In addition, only 7% of women have been requested to undergo GBS testing by their gynecologists, whereas 81.7% of pregnant women in Poland have been tested [ 17 ]. These vastly different percentages are attributable to the existing protocol in Poland’s Kielce Hospital, requiring midwives to collect a swab for GBS screening if a pregnant woman has no clear tests [ 18 ].…”

Acceptability and feasibility of maternal screening for Group B Streptococcus: a rapid review

“…Data suggest that more time spent in the country women are residing in can impact knowledge ,34,35 , however this was only supported by two studies. No consistent relationship between knowledge and age 32,35,38,43,45 ; employment status 32,34,35 ; city vs village living 38,44 ; past exposure to GBS 32,40,44,45 ; or parity 32,35,38,44,45 was found.…”

“…In included studies, awareness of GBS ranged from 8-37% (n = 6; M = 24.78; SD = 9.77) [32][33][34][35][36][37] . Awareness of GBS screening programmes ranged from 9 -67.1% (n = 3; M = 44.27; SD = 25.30) 32,38,39 . This variable knowledge about GBS was corroborated by the qualitative studies which reported most women did not have an extensive knowledge about GBS [40][41][42] .…”

“…Other factors may impact knowledge (moderate confidence). Five of seven quantitative studies found that the higher women's education level, the more knowledge they had about GBS/GBS screening programmes [34][35][36]38,43 . Three studies looked at the impact of wealth and found that those with higher income tended to be more knowledgeable 34,36,44 .…”