Perception of Child Bearing Women about Congenital Birth Disorders in Anambra State

Abstract

Background: Congenital birth disorders causes a huge challenge and burden in low and middle income countries. It equally constitute a public health threat which deserve holistic attention in Anambra State. They can be due to advanced maternal age, maternal infection of child bearing women or multifactorial causes. Aim: The study determined the perception of child bearing women about risk factors, effects, management and prevention of congenital birth disorders in Anambra State. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross -sectional survey design was adopted for the study, sample size was 436 and a multi stage sampling technique was used. The instrument for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire and data obtained were analysed using Microsoft excel, Chi-square for hypothesis testing and IBM statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 29. Results: it was revealed that most child bearing women have positive perception about the risk factors of congenital birth disorders (72.79%), effect on the affected child and family (71.50%), management by a specialist (100%), effective measures necessary to prevent congenital birth disorders (73.73) Conclusion: Congenital birth disorders is one of the public health concerns in Anambra State which may result in stigmatization, depression, marital strain, financial strain, parental exploitation, mental retardation, permanent disability and death. The major risk factors of congenital birth disorders are advanced maternal age, unhealthy life styles, occupation, smoking, alcohol, illiteracy and parity. Therefore, efforts should be made to raise awareness of the occurrence and risk factors of congenital birth disorders in developing countries.