Assessment of Awareness and Practice of Pregnancy Related Risks among Antenatal care Clients in Addis Ababa

Abstract

Increased knowledge and awareness of pregnant women on pregnancy related risk is essential to prevent maternal death. Two third of pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic nationally and one third in Addis Ababa region were not informed on pregnancy danger signs and about available hospital referral system while attending the service. Objective: To assess Awareness and Practice on pregnancy related complications among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Addis Ababa. Methodology A cross-sectional study conducted among pregnant women in Addis Ababa. Stratified sampling and then simple random sampling was used. Pre-tested structured written questionnaire used to collect data. Data entered and cleaned using EPI INFO 3.5.1 statistical software and exported to SPSS version 16.0 for analysis. Results: Only two third (68.6%) was informed on pregnancy related complications during their ANC visits. Clients attended at public health facilities for antenatal care were eight times more informed than those who had follow up on private health facilities. Conclusion /Recommendation The study results showed that antenatal care service providers as whole and private clinics in particular do not routinely provide information and advice to antenatal care clients on pregnancy complications as part of antenatal care. In order a pregnant women to make timely decisions for seeking care when a complication arises every antenatal care service providers should inform each client on pregnancy related danger signs at her early first antenatal visit.