Knowledge about Obstetrical Danger Signs among Pregnant Women of Low Socioeconomic Class
Sughra Abbasi, Ayisha Raja, Sadia Suboohi Sadiq
731
ABSTRACT
Background: In many developing countries including Pakistan maternal morbidity and
mortality is still high. Knowledge of danger signs of Obstetrics during
pregnancy is the first essential step for the timely referral. This study
therefore, aims to fill this gap by assessing the current level of knowledge
and associated factors of pregnant women living in low socioeconomic areas of
Karachi
Aim: The aim of the study
is to assess the knowledge of pregnant women with low socio-economic status
about the obstetric danger signs.
Study Design: A cross-sectional
study.
Place and Duration: Community based medical centers of Gadap Town
Karachi, from October 2020 to October 2021.
Methods: A total of 300
pregnant women gave their consent and took part in the study. Data was
collected in local language by interview and a pre-designed, tested
questionnaire was used, which included the socio-demographic profile, number of
births, prenatal care visits, and pregnant women knowledge of danger signs during
pregnancy, and in the postpartum period. Socio-economic status was assessed in
accordance with the modified international classification.
Results:
Knowledge of at least
one danger sign varied from a total of 300 pregnant women consented and took
part in this study. Most of them are in the age group of 21-34 years 138(46%)
and over 92 (30.7%) were above thirty years, followed by the age group of 18-20
year 70(23.3%) and then >35 years (27%). Most of the pregnant women (62.3%)
have completed the primary Level education. The majority of the surveyed population
is housewives and semiskilled workers.
Conclusions: Our study has shown
that there is little knowledge of the danger signs of pregnancy among pregnant women.
Also, most subjects are unaware of obstetric danger signs. Based on this study,
we suggest that planned strategies are needed to increase women's awareness of
obstetric danger signs. Raising awareness of the key signs of danger, creating
and promoting mechanisms of generating income should be carried out on a
continuous basis in the health facility and in the environment, as it prepares
women and their families to make appropriate, quick and effective decisions and
actions in the event of symptoms of obstetric emergency.
Keywords: Obstetric danger
signs, pregnancy Antenatal and postpartum period.
ABSTRACT
Background: In many developing countries including Pakistan maternal morbidity and
mortality is still high. Knowledge of danger signs of Obstetrics during
pregnancy is the first essential step for the timely referral. This study
therefore, aims to fill this gap by assessing the current level of knowledge
and associated factors of pregnant women living in low socioeconomic areas of
Karachi
Aim: The aim of the study
is to assess the knowledge of pregnant women with low socio-economic status
about the obstetric danger signs.
Study Design: A cross-sectional
study.
Place and Duration: Community based medical centers of Gadap Town
Karachi, from October 2020 to October 2021.
Methods: A total of 300
pregnant women gave their consent and took part in the study. Data was
collected in local language by interview and a pre-designed, tested
questionnaire was used, which included the socio-demographic profile, number of
births, prenatal care visits, and pregnant women knowledge of danger signs during
pregnancy, and in the postpartum period. Socio-economic status was assessed in
accordance with the modified international classification.
Results:
Knowledge of at least
one danger sign varied from a total of 300 pregnant women consented and took
part in this study. Most of them are in the age group of 21-34 years 138(46%)
and over 92 (30.7%) were above thirty years, followed by the age group of 18-20
year 70(23.3%) and then >35 years (27%). Most of the pregnant women (62.3%)
have completed the primary Level education. The majority of the surveyed population
is housewives and semiskilled workers.
Conclusions: Our study has shown
that there is little knowledge of the danger signs of pregnancy among pregnant women.
Also, most subjects are unaware of obstetric danger signs. Based on this study,
we suggest that planned strategies are needed to increase women's awareness of
obstetric danger signs. Raising awareness of the key signs of danger, creating
and promoting mechanisms of generating income should be carried out on a
continuous basis in the health facility and in the environment, as it prepares
women and their families to make appropriate, quick and effective decisions and
actions in the event of symptoms of obstetric emergency.
Keywords: Obstetric danger
signs, pregnancy Antenatal and postpartum period.