Awareness and Practices of Antenatal Care Among Pregnant Females in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Lahore

Abstract

Background and Objective: Worldwide maternal mortality ratio(MMR) is 216/100,000, in south Asian

countries is 182/100,000 and in Pakistan MMR is 178/100,000. The risk of maternal mortality is 200 times

more in developing or low income countries than developed or high income countries. The objectives of the

study were to determine the awareness and practice levels regarding antenatal care(ANC) among pregnant

females visiting Arif memorial teaching hospital, Lahore.

Methods: It was a cross sectional study done among 350 pregnant women from 1 st st

March, 2022 to 31 August

2022, with singleton pregnancy presented at a tertiary care center using purposive sampling technique. The

predesigned questionnaire was used to collect information regarding socio-demographic factors as well as

knowledge and practice questions regarding ANC. Scoring was designed with >70% designated as adequate

knowledge or practice levels. Information was entered and results were obtained using SPSS 24.0.

Results: Among total 350 respondents, mean age was 28.54±5.26 years. The mean knowledge and practice

scores were 27.56±6.11 and 12.33±3.14 and there were 110 (31.4%) and 50 (14.3%) women having adequate

knowledge and practice respectively. Respondent's literacy was significantly associated with knowledge

(p=0.015) and working women had better practices than house wives (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Knowledge and practices regarding ANC were considerably low falling in inadequate area. To

improve community awareness on ANC community campaign and mass media should be used. Family

support and government support both should be provided in parallel to pregnant female in order to improve

maternal health.