scholarly journals Knowledge and understanding of obstetric danger signs among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, Bhutan: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saran Tenzin Tamang ◽  
Thinley Dorji ◽  
Sonam Yoezer ◽  
Thinley Phuntsho ◽  
Phurb Dorji

Abstract Background The third Sustainable Development Goal for 2030 development agenda aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Pregnant women’s understanding of danger signs is an important factor in seeking timely care during emergencies. We assessed knowledge of obstetric danger signs using both recall and understanding of appropriate action required during obstetric emergencies. Methods This was a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Bhutan’s largest hospital in Thimphu. Recall was assessed against seven obstetric danger signs outlined in the Mother and Child Health Handbook (7 points). Understanding of danger signs was tested using 13 multiple choice questions (13 points). Knowledge was scored out of 20 points and reported as ‘good’ (≥80%), ‘satisfactory’ (60–79%) and ‘poor’ (< 60%). Correlation between participant characteristics and knowledge score as well as number of danger signs recalled was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Association between knowledge score and participant characteristics was tested using t-tests (and Kruskal-Wallis test) for numeric variables. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the level of knowledge ('good’ versus ‘satisfactory’ and ‘poor’ combined) were assessed with odds ratios using a log-binomial regression model. All results with p < 0.05 were considered significant. Results Four hundred and twenty-two women responded to the survey (response rate = 96.0%). Mean (±SD) knowledge score was 12 (±2.5). Twenty women (4.7%) had ‘good’ knowledge, 245 (58.1%) had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge and 157 (37.2%) had ‘poor’ knowledge. The median number of danger signs recalled was 2 (IQR 1, 3) while 68 women (20.3%) could not recall any danger signs. Most women were knowledgeable about pre-labour rupture of membranes (96.0%) while very few women were knowledgeable about spotting during pregnancy (19.9%). Both knowledge score and number of danger signs recalled had significant correlation with the period of gestation. Women with previous surgery on the reproductive tract had higher odds of having ‘good’ level of knowledge. Conclusions Most pregnant women had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge score with poor explicit recall of danger signs. However, women recognized obstetric emergencies and identified the appropriate action warranted.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saran Tenzin Tamang ◽  
Thinley Dorji ◽  
Sonam Yoezer ◽  
Thinley Phuntsho ◽  
Phurb Dorji

Abstract Background: The third Sustainable Development Goal for 2030 development agenda aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Pregnant women’s understanding of danger signs is an important factor in seeking timely care during emergencies. We assessed knowledge of obstetric danger signs using both recall and understanding of appropriate action required during obstetric emergencies. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Bhutan’s largest hospital in Thimphu. Recall was assessed against seven obstetric danger signs outlined in the Mother and Child Health Handbook (7 points). Understanding of danger signs was tested using 13 multiple choice questions (13 points). Knowledge was scored out of 20 points and reported as “good” (≥80%), “satisfactory” (60 – 79%) and “poor” (<60%). Correlation between participant characteristics and knowledge score as well as number of danger signs recalled was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Association between knowledge score and participant characteristics were tested using t-tests (and Kruskal-Wallis test) for numeric variables. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the level of knowledge (“good” versus “satisfactory and poor” combined) were assessed with odds ratios (OR) using a log-binomial regression model. All results with p < 0.05 were considered significant.Results: Four hundred and twenty-two women responded to the survey (response rate = 96.0%). Mean (±SD) knowledge score was 12 (±2.5). Twenty women (4.7%) had “good knowledge”, 245 (58.1%) had “satisfactory knowledge” and 157 (37.2%) had “poor knowledge”. The median number of danger signs recalled was 2 (IQR 1, 3) while 68 (20.3%) women could not recall any danger signs. Most women were knowledgeable about pre-labour rupture of membranes (96.0%) while very few women were knowledgeable about spotting during pregnancy (19.9%). Both knowledge score and number of danger signs recalled had significant correlation with the period of gestation. Women with previous surgery on the reproductive tract had higher odds of having good level of knowledge. Conclusions: Most pregnant women had satisfactory knowledge score with poor explicit recall of danger signs. However, women recognized obstetric emergencies and identified the appropriate action warranted.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saran Tenzin Tamang ◽  
Thinley Dorji ◽  
Sonam Yoezer ◽  
Thinley Phuntsho ◽  
Phurb Dorji

Abstract Background: The third Sustainable Development Goal aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Pregnant women’s understanding of danger signs is an important factor in seeking timely care during emergencies. We assessed knowledge of obstetric danger signs using both recall and understanding of appropriate action required during obstetric emergencies.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Bhutan’s largest hospital in Thimphu. Recall was assessed against seven obstetric danger signs outlined in the Mother and Child Health Handbook (7 points). Understanding of danger signs was tested using 13 multiple choice questions (13 points). Knowledge was scored out of 20 points and reported as “good” (≥80%), “satisfactory” (60 – 79%) and “poor” (<60%). Association between knowledge score and participant characteristics were tested using Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact and t-tests. Corresponding non-parametric tests were performed where appropriate. Correlation between participant characteristics and knowledge score as well as number of danger signs recalled was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results with p<0.05 were considered significant.Results: Four hundred and twenty-two women responded to the survey (response rate = 96.0%). Mean (±SD) knowledge score was 12 (±2.5). Twenty women (4.7%) had “good knowledge”, 245 (58.1%) had “satisfactory knowledge” and 157 (37.2%) had “poor knowledge”. The median number of danger signs recalled was 2 (IQR 1, 3) while 68 (20.3%) women could not recall any danger signs. Women were most knowledgeable about pre-labour rupture of membranes (96.0%) and least knowledgeable about spotting during pregnancy (19.9%). Knowledge level was significantly associated with reading Mother and Child Health Handbook, mother’s education level, husband’s education level, number of antenatal care visits, gestational age and past surgery on reproductive tract. Both knowledge score and number of danger signs recalled significantly correlated with the period of gestation. Conclusions: Most pregnant women had satisfactory knowledge score but recognized the appropriate actions warranted during obstetric emergencies. The MCH Handbook has played a significant role in improving knowledge and understanding of danger signs.


Author(s):  
Ashok Kumar ◽  
Geeta Yadav ◽  
Vijay Zutshi ◽  
Suman Bodat

Background: According to UNICEF, globally 800 million women die due to preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth; 20% of which occur in India. It is therefore imperative to understand the level of knowledge about danger signs among pregnant women to augment timely redressal of preventive obstetric causes of mortality.Methods: A hospital based, cross sectional study was conducted at the ANC Clinic in Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi from 2nd July to 27th July 2018. Convenient sampling was used to identify and interview 354 pregnant women, using a semi structured questionnaire. Data was entered and analysed with SPSSv21. Results were presented as frequencies and proportions. Chi square was used to test for association between qualitative variables, and p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: 48.3%, 35.6%, and 40.1% of pregnant women had knowledge about danger signs during pregnancy, labour and postpartum respectively. Majority of the women had knowledge about abdominal pain (58.4%) and severe fatigue (80.7%) as danger signs of pregnancy, while bleeding (82.5%) was the most common response as danger sign of labour. More than half had knowledge about heavy bleeding (59.9%) as danger sign of postpartum. The women lacked awareness about Convulsions (92.9%) as danger signs of pregnancy and labour, as well as smelly vaginal discharge (79.6%) in postpartum.Conclusions: Knowledge of obstetric danger signs among pregnant women is still lower. It needs further awareness as it can help in early diagnosis and referral of patients thus reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
NAZLI Nur ASLAN ÇİN ◽  
Ayşe Özfer ÖZÇELİK

Abstract Background: Iodine is an crucial micronutrient for fetal brain development, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. The level of knowledge about iodine among pregnant women has not been previously evaluated in Trabzon city where is an endemic area of iodine deficiency in the Blacksea region of Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge about iodine nutrition during pregnancy among pregnant women living in an endemic goiter area of Turkey. Methods: One hundred fifty pregnant women between ages 19-45 years who applied to Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic in Trabzon were recruited. This cross-sectional study was conducted with one hundred and fifty pregnant women between the ages of 19-45 who applied to Trabzon Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic. Research data were collected using questionnaire forms and face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire form consisted of questions determining the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, their previous pregnancy data, iodized salt consumption habits, and knowledge about iodine. Results: Although 68% of women know that iodine deficiency can cause serious consequences during pregnancy, about 30% did not know the problems caused by iodine deficiency. Three main dietary source of iodine in Turkey, fish, milk and dairy products and table salt are 68.0%, 20.0% and 77.3% of them correctly identified as good sources, respectively. The mean iodine knowledge score of the participants was 8.5±4.5. Higher educated pregnant women had significantly higher knowledge scores (p<.05). However, age, trimester, parity and those who had received information about iodine and iodine knowledge score between no significant differences (p>.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that lack of knowledge about iodine in pregnant women living in an endemic goiter area of Turkey. Furthermore, pregnants also had limited knowledge about the most important dietary iodine sources that can meet their daily iodine requirements. The necessity of public education initiatives to improve iodine knowledge in the pregnant population is evident for healthier future generations.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Udho ◽  
Joyce Nankumbi ◽  
Mariam Namutebi ◽  
Grace Ndeezi ◽  
Joshua Epuitai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Iron deficiency is a leading cause of anemia among pregnant women in Uganda. However, due to the high cost of biochemical tests required to determine iron deficiency, the prevalence and factors associated with iron deficiency remain largely unstudied in our setting. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the prevalence of iron deficiency and its associated factors among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic, Lira District-Uganda.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at Lira Regional Referral Hospital. Maternal serum ferritin was used as a measure of iron deficiency and was determined using a Cobas 6000 Automated Analyzer. Iron deficiency was based on serum ferritin of <30 μg/L. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the characteristics of the study participants. Binary and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify the associated factors.Results The prevalence of iron deficiency was 45%. Non-adherence to iron supplements (AOR: 2.05 95% CI: 1.02-4.12) & third trimester pregnancy (AOR: 1.88 95% CI: 1.20-2.94) were significantly associated with iron deficiency during pregnancy.Conclusion Nearly 5 in 10 of the participants had iron deficiency. Iron deficiency during pregnancy was associated with non-adherence to iron supplements and being in the third trimester of pregnancy. Midwives should encourage pregnant women to adhere to iron supplements during pregnancy especially pregnant women who are in the third trimester.


Author(s):  
Hope Inegbenosun ◽  
Clement Chinedu Azodo ◽  
John Chukudi Anionye ◽  
Collins Usunobun Inegbenosun ◽  
Obinna Chukwunwike Njoku

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection rate and mortality among Nigerian health care workers appear to be on the increase. Aside from health workers, it has caused millions of infections and deaths worldwide.  This study determined the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices of nursing and midwifery students towards COVID-19 in a North-Eastern Nigerian state.Methods: A total of 156 respondents were involved in this institutional-based cross-sectional study, conducted after the lockdown period. A total of 17 questions were used to assess the KAP with knowledge appraised with 12 questions, attitudes with 2 questions, and practices with 3 questions.Results: The majority of the students (53.80%) possessed a good level of knowledge regarding COVID-19, while 40.4% had fair knowledge regarding COVID-19 with only 5.80% having poor knowledge of COVID-19. The mean knowledge of COVID-19 in this study was 9.40±1.353 with an overall 78% correct answer rate. A vast majority of the respondent (82.7% and 98.1%) had strong confidence in Nigeria and believed that the pandemic will soon be over, respectively. Only a few avoided large gatherings of people (30.8%) with the vast majority reporting to have worn a mask when going out (84.6%) and washing their hands with running water and soap frequently as recommended (73.1%). In multiple logistic regression analyses, the COVID-19 knowledge score (OR: 0.39-0.40, 95%CI: 0.26 – 0.62, P<0.05) was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of negative preventive practices towards COVID-19.Conclusions: The participants in this study showed good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices toward COVID-19. There is still a need to strategize and implement periodic educational interventions and training on infection control practices among healthcare workers including students. 


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e031725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa O Oteir ◽  
Khader A Almhdawi ◽  
Saddam F Kanaan ◽  
Mahmoud T Alwidyan ◽  
Brett Williams

ObjectiveTo explore the level of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) knowledge among allied health professions (AHPs) students and its associated factors.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study assessing CPR knowledge among AHP students. A multidisciplinary expert panel designed a survey, which then was piloted to 20 potential participants. The survey had two sections, including demographics and knowledge questions. Knowledge questions scores ranged from 0 to 10, where 10 indicates all questions were answered correctly.ResultsA total of 883 students completed the surveys and were included in the study. The mean age was 21 years (±1.6) and the majority were females (73.1%). A total of 693 (78.5%) students did not receive previous CPR training and the top barriers to receiving CPR training were unawareness of training opportunities and a lack of time. Participants had a mean CPR knowledge score of 3.9 (±1.7) out of 10 maximum potential points. Trained participants had a higher mean score compared with the untrained (4.6 (±1.6) vs 3.8 (±1.6), p<0.001). Previous training (adjusted β=0.6; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9; p<0.001) and being in the physical therapy programme (adjusted β=0.5; 95% CI 0.1 to 0.8; p=0.01) were associated with higher knowledge.ConclusionThere is poor knowledge of CPR among AHP students including trained individuals. Efforts to increase the awareness of CPR should target students and professionals who are highly likely to encounter patients requiring CPR. Compulsory training courses, shorter training periods as well as recurrent and regular refreshing courses and use of various media devices are recommended.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e032487
Author(s):  
Amer Alshengeti ◽  
Amjad Alharbi ◽  
Shahad Alraddadi ◽  
Abdulsalam Alawfi ◽  
Bushra Aljohani

AimsGroup B streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most frequent bacterial pathogens causing invasive infections in neonates. It can be transmitted from colonised mother to neonates around delivery. Screening strategies for GBS during pregnancy include either universal culture-based or risk-based screening. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and current practices of pregnant women towards GBS screening in Al-Madinah City, Saudi Arabia.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Madinah Maternity and Children Hospital, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from May to July 2018. Participants were recruited from postnatal wards. Participants were interviewed using a previously published validated survey that was divided into the following domains: demographic data, knowledge, experience and attitude towards different GBS screening strategies.ResultsA total of 377 out of 450 women (response rate 83.7%) were enrolled. The results showed that the overall mean knowledge score of the pregnant women towards GBS screening was 59.8%. Majority of the women (66.8%) were not aware of the GBS bacterium, while 86.5% of them had never been informed of GBS risk assessment during their pregnancies. The mean knowledge score among women who were aware of GBS (62.8%) was significantly higher than that among women who were not (58.4%) (p=0.015). However, majority of the pregnant women (61.8%) showed preference for universal culture-based GBS screening strategy over risk-based strategy.ConclusionThe study results have concluded that the level of awareness and knowledge about GBS among pregnant women were relatively poor; however, majority of the pregnant women prefer universal culture-based screening.


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