Knowledge regarding obstetric danger signs among pregnant women

Abstract

Knowledge of obstetric danger signs is crucial to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality by identifying the problems earlier and avoiding the delay in seeking obstetric care. According to World Health Organization (WHO) more than 70% of maternal deaths occur due to obstetric complications and most of these deaths occur in developing countries. Most of these are preventable if pregnant women can identify these life-threatening danger signs on time and seek appropriate emergency obstetric care. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of obstetric danger signs among pregnant women. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from 15th July to 30th August 2021, 194 pregnant women who visited the Gynaecology Outpatient Department in Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital, were enrolled for the study. Data were collected through face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The study findings revealed that overall knowledge on obstetric danger signs was suboptimal (3.1%). The median knowledge score of respondents on antenatal danger signs was 30.0% (Q1-Q3=17.5-40), intra-natal danger signs was 0.0% (Q1-Q3=0-20) and postnatal danger signs were 25% (Q1-Q3=0- 25). Severe vaginal bleeding was the most frequently mentioned danger sign in each of the three gestational periods (antenatal: 78.9%, intra-natal; 29.9% and postnatal; 39.7%). In conclusion, service providers and health management teams should emphasize on information, education and communication for every pregnant woman focusing on obstetric danger signs to have better awareness and thereby reduce adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Awareness and practice regarding puerperal danger signs among postnatal mothers attending at rural tertiary care center of Nepal

“…In the present study, more than half 77 (55.4%) of women were multi gravida mother which is similar to a study conducted in Nepal by Ghimire B, Pathak P, Ghimire P study revealed that 52.1% were multi gravida, also similar to study conducted in Wolaita Sodo town, South Ethiopia by Bolanko A, et.al, study revealed that most (57.7%) were multi gravida. [5,13] Nearly half 66 (47.5%) of the women had one child which is contrast to a study conducted in Nepal by Ghimire B, Pathak P, Ghimire P study showed that most of the respondents (86.5%) had one child. 5…”

“…[5,13] Nearly half 66 (47.5%) of the women had one child which is contrast to a study conducted in Nepal by Ghimire B, Pathak P, Ghimire P study showed that most of the respondents (86.5%) had one child. 5…”

“…Maternal mortality is high globally, in 2017; about 295,000 women have lost their life due to direct obstetric complications; most of which could have been prevented. [5,6,7] Women and newborns are most vulnerable during and immediately after childbirth. The majority of maternal and newborn deaths occurring in developing countries can be attributed to inabilities to access health services, illiteracy, social stigmas, and gender inequalities.…”

Knowledge of obstetric danger signs and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at Thai community hospital

“…31 The finding that the prevalence of good ODS knowledge in Thai pregnant women was slightly higher than that of the Malaysian study might be due to the different score cut-off levels of good knowledge of ODS, that is, 80% (16 out of 20 items) in the Malaysian study whereas 75% (12 out of 16 items) in our study and the other Thai study. Several studies reported the knowledge of ODS among pregnant women in many countries, including India, 34,35 Nepal, 26,27 Malaysia, 31 Ethiopia, [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Nigeria, 23 Tanzania, 28 Egypt, 29 Jordan, 30 Congo, 36 and Uganda. 37 The prevalence of mothers with good knowledge of ODS differed among studies could be because of the difference in participants' demographic characteristics and the definition of good knowledge of ODS in each study.…”

“…Most studies found that less than half of the study population had good knowledge of ODS. [10][11][12]14,17,18,21,27,[29][30][31][32] In addition, the prevalence of good knowledge or awareness of ODS in rural areas was lower than in urban areas. One study was conducted to examine the prevalence of mothers with good knowledge of ODS and associated factors in a tertiary care university hospital in the capital city of Thailand and found that the prevalence of mothers with good knowledge was around 60%.…”