Awareness of danger signs in pregnancy and post-partum period among antenatal mothers admitted to General Hospital Matara

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy related deaths and disabilities are a major public health problem worldwide. Poor knowledge of obstetric danger signs leads to delay in care seeking causing maternal deaths and complications. However, few studies are conducted in Sri Lanka to evaluate this aspect.

Aim: To describe the awareness of danger signs in pregnancy and post-partum period and related factors among antenatal mothers admitted to General Hospital, Matara.

Materials and Methods: A sample of 395 antenatal mothers in late pregnancy admitted to General Hospital, Matara were studied using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between variables.

Results: The level of awareness of obstetric danger signs was good in 73.7% of the mothers. Bleeding (75.9%), dribbling (51.6%) and pain (58.2%) were the common dangers signs identified. Approximately 15% did not know of any danger sign. A better awareness of danger signs was significantly associated with primiparity, higher educational level of mother/spouse and mother being employed (all p<0.05).

Conclusions and recommendations: Awareness of obstetric danger signs was satisfactory among the majority of antenatal mothers, despite lack of knowledge on some important danger signs. Educational programmes should be designed to raise awareness on danger signs, specifically targeting the high risk groups identified during this study.