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

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.

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.


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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 406-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neema Bhandari ◽  
Satya Shrestha ◽  
Srijana Dongol ◽  
Basanti Bal

Background & Objectives: All pregnant women are at risk and can face problems at any time during or following pregnancy and childbirth which can cause death of mothers. Knowledge of key danger signs is essential for motivating women to seek skilled attendance at birth and also to seek referral in case of complications which definitely improves health of the mother and newborns. This study aimed to assess pregnant womens’ knowledge about obstetric danger signs and its associated factors.Materials & Methods: Quantitative approach with a facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant mothers attending Anti Natal Clinic of Dhulikhel hospital, Nepal. Data was collected from 1st June to 25th June 2017. Sampling technique was non probability, purposive sampling technique. A standardized tool was adopted. Face to face interview technique was used. Data had been processed by SPSS 20 version then analyzed using descriptive as well as inferential statistic.Results: Two third of the respondents (66.0%) had adequate knowledge on obstetric danger signs, while 21.0% of respondents had inadequate knowledge and few respondents (13.0%) had moderate knowledge on that. Age, educational status and gravida were not significantly associated with knowledge on obstetric danger signs but occupation and trimester of pregnancy were found to be associated with the same.Conclusion: A significant proportion of pregnant women do not have adequate knowledge on obstetric danger signs. Therefore, the quality of health information about obstetric danger signs during ANC follow up is to be improved.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhavna Kumare ◽  
Nikita R Vijay ◽  
Dnyanda S Yerlekar

ABSTRACT Due to lack of awareness about the danger signs of pregnancy women fail to seek care in the right time for life-threatening complications of pregnancy and child birth. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the knowledge regarding danger signs among pregnant women. A self structured questionnaire was used in the study. For this, 100 women attending antenatal outpatient department (OPD) were enrolled. Chi-square test has been used to demonstrate the difference between study subject characteristics and level of significance selected for this study (p. 0.05). About 6.38% of subjects having good awareness about danger signs are from age group 20 to 25 years and 10.25% of subjects with good awareness are from 25 to 30 years. In case of 20% of subjects have fair knowledge that means they know about 50 to 75% of obstetric danger signs while 73% of subject has poor knowledge about danger signs. Among which majority, i.e. 46.48% of subjects are from age 20 to 25 years and 93.33% from large family size have poor awareness about danger signs. Majority of subjects having good knowledge about obstetric danger signs have completed their secondary (7.69%) and university (9.52%) education. About 61% of the subjects know about danger signs of pregnancy. Among which major source of knowledge is health personnel (57.37%) and other source of knowledge is mass media (42.63%). In case of 50% of subjects knows about bleeding. Thus, it is the most common obstetrical danger sign that is known by subject population. How to cite this article Vijay NR, Kumare B, Yerlekar DS. Awareness of Obstetric Danger Signs among Pregnant Women in Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2015;7(3):171-175.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-387
Author(s):  
Binu Thapa ◽  
Krishnaa Manandhar

Background & Objectives: All pregnant women are at risk and can face problems at any time during or following pregnancy and childbirth which can cause death of mothers. Knowledge of key danger signs is essential for motivating women to seek skilled attendance at birth and also to seek referral in case of complications which definitely improves health of the mother and newborns. This study aimed to assess pregnant womens’ knowledge about obstetric danger signs and its associated factors.Materials & Methods: Quantitative approach with a facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant mothers attending Anti Natal Clinic of Dhulikhel hospital, Nepal. Data was collected from 1st June to 25th June 2017. Sampling technique was non probability, purposive sampling technique. A standardized tool was adopted. Face to face interview technique was used. Data had been processed by SPSS 20 version then analyzed using descriptive as well as inferential statistic.Results: Two third of the respondents (66.0%) had adequate knowledge on obstetric danger signs, while 21.0% of respondents had inadequate knowledge and few respondents (13.0%) had moderate knowledge on that. Age, educational status and gravida were not significantly associated with knowledge on obstetric danger signs but occupation and trimester of pregnancy were found to be associated with the same.Conclusion: A significant proportion of pregnant women do not have adequate knowledge on obstetric danger signs. Therefore, the quality of health information about obstetric danger signs during ANC follow up is to be improved.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayyuba Rabiu ◽  
Habiba Isah Ladu

Knowledge of obstetric danger sign promotes active preparation and decision making for delivery by pregnant women and their families. It assists in decision making for seeking health care in case of complications. This study was aimed at determining the knowledge of obstetric danger signs among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Murtala Muhammad specialist hospital Kano. It was a cross sectional survey among 394 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic. Information on knowledge of obstetric danger signs were recorded on a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 19 Computer Software (IBM SPSS Statistics Inc., IL, Chicago USA). Quantitative variables were summarized using measures of central tendency and measures of variability. Qualitative variables were summarized using frequencies and percentages. A P value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean age ±SD was 26.9±6.21 years. The mean gestational age at booking was 29.7±7.22 weeks. Two hundred and eightysix (77.1%) Pregnant women were aware that unforeseen problems related to pregnancy can occur during any pregnancy that can endanger the life of the woman. These problems include bleeding 176 (61.6%) and convulsion 96 (33.6%). Should any of those problems occur, a woman should preferably visit government hospital 366 (92.9%). Concerning danger signs of pregnancy, the respondents mentioned that a health worker advised them at least once, about danger signs of serious health problems during pregnancy, child birth or soon after 228 (63.3%). The study findings generally revealed that there was awareness of obstetrics danger signs. Vaginal bleeding was the commonest obstetric danger sign known. Knowledge of obstetric danger signs was statistically associated with parity and age group.


Author(s):  
John William Felix A. ◽  
Devi R. ◽  
Manobharathi M.

Background: Delay in seeking health care is one of the key factors leading to maternal death, which can be associated with lack of awareness about obstetric danger signs. So, it is essential that pregnant women should be aware about danger signs of obstetric complications so that they can seek timely healthcare. This study aims to assess level of awareness about danger signs of pregnancy among ANC attendant pregnant women and to assess the factors associated with it.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among 170 pregnant women. The level of awareness about danger signs were assessed by administering pre tested proforma to the participants. The collected data was entered in Microsoft excel 2010 and the data was compiled analysed usingSPSS version 21.Results: Of the total participants, only 29.3% had good awareness and about 69.3% had fair awareness about danger signs of pregnancy. It was found that increasing maternal age had significant association with awareness about danger signs whereas other factors like type of family, education, residence, order and duration of pregnancy, number of an visits, previous risk pregnancies had no significant association with level of awareness about danger signs.Conclusions: Level of awareness about danger signs among pregnant women was average. Thus, provision of health education, empowering women and improving the quality of health services can be the recommended interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110011
Author(s):  
Alemu Bolanko ◽  
Hussen Namo ◽  
Kirubel Minsamo ◽  
Nigatu Addisu ◽  
Mohammed Gebre

Introduction: Obstetric complications continue to be the major causes of maternal mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Knowledge of women toward obstetric danger signs is an important part of improving maternal and fetal outcomes. However, the reported level of knowledge on obstetric danger signs is low and inconsistent. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected from randomly selected 740 pregnant women. A pregnant woman said to have good knowledge of obstetric danger signs if she spontaneously mentioned at least two of the danger signs during each of the three periods (pregnancy, labor/childbirth, and postpartum) and otherwise said to have poor knowledge of obstetric danger signs. Adjusted odds ratio at 95% confidence interval and a value of p < 0.05 were used to identify the predictors. Results: A total of 740 pregnant women participated in the study with the response rate of 97.5%. One hundred twenty-four (16.8%) of the respondents were knowledgeable about obstetric danger signs. According to our study, age range of 20–24 years (adjusted odds ratio = 6, confidence interval: 2.67–17.44) and 25–29 years old (adjusted odds ratio = 2.4, confidence interval: 1.14–5.10); being housewife (adjusted odds ratio = 0.5, confidence interval: 0.28–0.87); monthly income of ⩽1000ETB (adjusted odds ratio = 0.24, confidence interval: 0.12–0.46) and 1001-2500ETB (adjusted odds ratio = 0.24, confidence interval: 0.12–0.47); and primigravida (adjusted odds ratio = 0.09, confidence interval: 0.04–0.18) and primipara (adjusted odds ratio = 0.15, confidence interval: 0.07–0.30) were factors significantly associated with knowledge of obstetric danger signs. Conclusion: Knowledge of obstetric danger signs among pregnant women was low. Maternal age, average monthly income, maternal occupation, parity, and gravidity were factors significantly associated with the knowledge of obstetric danger signs.


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