Abstract
Introduction: Adverse pregnancy outcomes pose serious health risks to both periconceptional women and newborns. This study aimed to investigate the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) toward adverse pregnancy outcomes among women of reproductive age in Al-Suwaira, Wasit governorate, Iraq.
Methods: During November 2021 to February 2022, a cross-sectional research of randomly selected women was performed. The KAP was evaluated with a standard, self-administered questionnaire. The outcomes were described using a descriptive analysis.
Results: The questionnaire was completed by 118 women. Participants had good knowledge and positive attitudes and practices toward adverse pregnancy outcomes. The findings revealed that the majority of participants were between the ages of 20 and 25 (n = 57, 48.3%) and had a Bachelor's degree (n = 106, 89.8%). Knowledge gaps were discovered in the areas of the danger of pregnancy at a young age of less than 17 years (30.5%), the link between lack of maternal education and poor births (24.6%), and the influence of drug misuse on the fetus (17.8%). The participants learn more around pregnancy-related risk factors via internet (n = 38, 32.2%) and university (n = 34, 28.8%).
Conclusions: The participants in this study had good knowledge, positive attitude, and positive practice regarding adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, there were some knowledge gaps. Therefore, to raise awareness among local women, it seems advisable to strengthen and strictly apply awareness-raising plans.
References
Afolabi IB, Babatunde AA, Mujeeb S, Yahaya SS, Abaku A, Muonagolu NJ. Knowledge, attitude and practice of adverse pregnancy outcomes prevention among women of reproductive age in Nasarawa Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria. Open J Epidemiol. 2021;11(4):501-16. doi: 10.4236/ojepi.2021.114040
Alkema L, Chou D, Hogan D, Zhang S, Moller AB, Gemmill A, et al. Global, regional, and national levels and trends in maternal mortality between 1990 and 2015, with scenario-based projections to 2030: a systematic analysis by the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group. Lancet. 2016;387(10017):462-74. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00838-7
Ahinkorah BO, Seidu AA, Ameyaw EK, Budu E, Bonsu F, Mwamba B. Beyond counting induced abortions, miscarriages and stillbirths to understanding their risk factors: analysis of the 2017 Ghana maternal health survey. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021;21:140. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-03633-8
Al-Dabbagh SA, Al-Taee WY. Risk factors for pre-term birth in Iraq: a case-control study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2006;6(1):1-7. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-6-13
Kassebaum NJ, Bertozzi-Villa A, Coggeshall MS, Shackelford KA, Steiner C, Heuton KR, et al. Global, regional, and national levels and causes of maternal mortality during 1990–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet. 2014;384(9947):980-1004. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60696-6
McDonald CR, Weckman AM, Wright JK, Conroy AL, Kain KC. Pregnant women in low-and middle-income countries require a special focus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Glob Women's Health. 2020;1:564560. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2020.564560
Sultani HJ, AL-Obaidi HO, Shabbani GJ. The Incidence rate and risk factors of antenatal stillbirth in Al-Diwaniyah Province at the mid-euphrates region of Iraq: Cross-sectional study. J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol. 2021;28(01):7-13. doi: 10.15586/jptcp.2021.v28i1.003
Eni-Olorunda T, Akinbode OO, Akinbode AO. Knowledge and attitude of mothers on risk factors influencing pregnancy outcomes in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State. Eur Sci J. 2015;11(11):313-24.
Ibtehaj AH, Al Hanof AH, Seetah AH, Hessa AH, Thekra AH, Nawal AA, et al. Knowledge and attitude of mothers on risk factors influencing pregnancy outcomes in Qassim, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. Egypt J Hosp Med. 2018;71(7): 3487-91. doi: 10.12816/0047665
Bhalotra S, Van Soest A. Birth-spacing, fertility and neonatal mortality in India: Dynamics, frailty, and fecundity. J Economs. 2008;143(2):274-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jeconom.2007.10.005
MOH. Ghana Maternal Health Survey Report. Ghana Health Service Annual Report. 2007. [Available from: https://www.moh.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2007-GHS-annual-report.pdf]. Accessed 30/01/2023.
Li D, Huang L, Yang W, Qi C, Shang L, Xin J, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice level of women at the periconceptional period: a cross-sectional study in Shaanxi China. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019;19(1):326. doi:10.1186/s12884-019-2481-6
Temel S, Erdem Ö, Voorham TA, Bonsel GJ, Steegers EA, Denktaş S. Knowledge on preconceptional folic acid supplementation and intention to seek for preconception care among men and women in an urban city: a population-based cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2015;15:340. doi: 10.1186/s12884-015-0774-y