Level of Awareness among Pregnant Women Assessing Anti Natal Care in primary health center
Abstract
This study determines the level of awareness among pregnant women assessing anti natal care in primary health center. A descriptive cross sectional research design was used in this study. three research questions were answered and three was tested in this study. The total population for the study is 75 staffs of selected health centers in Ikeyi, Lagos state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. the study recommended that primary health department, and Non-governmental organizations should strengthen the existing awareness levels of pregnant women about antenatal care services in the primary health care centres in the communities
Chapter one
Introduction
1.1Background of the study
Antenatal care is the clinical assessment of mother and fetus, during the period of pregnancy used for getting the best possible result for the mother and child. Early observation and ongoing care during pregnancy provided more favorable births compared to no prenatal observation. It is a key entry point for pregnant women to receive multiple range of health services such as nutritional maintenance, prevention or treatment of anemia, prevention, detection and treatment of malaria, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections. (Berhe et al., 2014) Every year about 6 million women become pregnant; 5 million of these pregnancies lead to the birth of the child. An adequate use of antenatal health services is associated with improved maternal and neonatal health status. Pregnancy care expected to affect the development of the fetus and the baby as well as the mother. Early booking and regular visitation of antenatal care can only achieve this. (WHO, 2007). Maternal health services have a potentially critical role in the improvement of reproductive health. The use of health service related to availability, quality and cost of services as well as the social structures, health beliefs and personal characteristics of the users. Over half a million women die each year from complications of pregnancy or childbirth. Most maternal deaths occur during childbirth and the presence of trained medical staff could greatly reduce this number. (UNICEF, 2008). Antenatal Care is an opportunity to promote the benefits of skilled attendance at birth and to encourage women to seek postpartum care for themselves and their newborn. It is also an ideal time to counsel women about the benefits of child spacing. (Reynolds, Wong et al. 2014). The ANC provides an estimate of essential health issues, including health promotion, disease prevention, screening, and diagnosis. All struggles commenced to preserve the physical and mental well-being of the mothers, to prevent premature labor, to predict difficulties and complications at birth. Ensures decrease number of maternal mortality and morbidity (Organization, 2016). Knowledge of pregnant mothers may be major factor in determining the extent of antenatal services use. Reports from various parts of the world have shown that increased levels of pregnant mothers in terms of antenatal care have an impact on their utilization. (Okafor, 2016) Attitude refers to the affective feelings of the expectant mother who like and dislike prenatal services. Thus, the personal experience of pregnant women in prenatal services can be positive or negative. (Onasoga, Afolayan et al. 2012) Reason experienced in the developing countries is almost parallel such as hemorrhage, followed by eclampsia, infections, abortion complications and disabilities. (Igbokwe, 2012)
1.2 Statement of the problem
The very low maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates reported for developed countries compared with the high figures in developing countries have been attributed to the higher utilization of modern maternal health services by the former. For example, a study on the use of Ante Natal Care (ANC) showed that 71 percent of women worldwide utilize ANC services and in industrialized countries 95 percent, South Asia – 54 percent and Sub- Saharan Africa 64 percent of women utilize ANC services. Women knowledge is considered one of the key factors that enable them to be aware of their right to health and to seek for appropriate health services. An attitude was viewed as positive or negative evaluation of people, events, activities or ideas in the environment that emerges out of personal experience. Attitude is seen as positive when a person develops a strong attraction of likeness for the situation, objectives or other persons or groups while it is negative when the person develops dislike for such situations, objectives, group or any other identifiable aspects of the environment. In this context, the study wants to assess the level of awareness among pregnant women assessing anti natal care in primary health center in selected health care centers in Ikeyi, Lagos
1.3 Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To identify the attitude of pregnant women regarding the Antenatal care in primary health center in Lagos state
- To assess the level of awareness of pregnant women assessing anti natal care in primary health center in Lagos state
- To assess practice of pregnant women regarding Antenatal care in the primary health center
1.4Research question
- Is there any attitude of pregnant women regarding the Antenatal care in primary health center in Lagos state?
- What is the level of awareness of pregnant women assessing anti natal care in primary health center in Lagos state?
- What is the practice of pregnant women regarding Antenatal care in the primary health center in Lagos state?
1.5Research hypotheses
For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;
H0: there is no attitude of pregnant women regarding the Antenatal care in primary health center in Lagos state.
H1: there is attitude of pregnant women regarding the Antenatal care in primary health center in Lagos state.
H02: there is no level of awareness of pregnant women assessing anti natal care in primary health center in Lagos state
H2: there is level of awareness of pregnant women assessing anti natal care in primary health center in Lagos state
H03: there is no practice of pregnant women regarding Antenatal care in the primary health center in Lagos state
H3: there is practice of pregnant women regarding Antenatal care in the primary health center in Lagos state
1.6Significance of the study
This study identifies the gap between knowledge, attitude and practices of community people regarding antenatal care. Study enable the primary health center administration to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women towards the antenatal care. After conducting the study, the findings will be shared to the primary health centers and the results will be presented to the higher authorities and policy makers. Study will be an ingredient for decision maker, stalk holder, and policy maker to refine or develop certain policies for managing the maternal mortality and morbidity rate. The study will helpful for the participants they should be aware about the importance of antenatal care and understand how its lack is effecting their health
1.7 Scope of the study
The scope of the study covers level of awareness among pregnant women assessing Anti Natal care in primary health center. The study will be limited to selected primary health centers in IKeji, Lagos state
1.8 Limitation of the study
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work
Availability of research material: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
Definition of terms
Awareness: Awareness is the state of being conscious of something. More specifically, it is the ability to directly know and perceive, to feel, or to be cognizant of events
Pregnancy: Pregnancy is the term used to describe the period in which a fetus develops inside a woman’s womb or uterus. Pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks, or just over 9 months, as measured from the last menstrual period to delivery. Health care providers refer to three segments of pregnancy, called trimesters
Anti Natal care: Antenatal care is the routine health control of presumed healthy pregant women without symptoms (screeening), in order to diagnose diseases or complicating obstetric conditions without symptoms, and to provide information about lifestyle, pregnancy and delivery.
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