Knowledge of obstetric danger signs amongst women of reproductive age in paths2 Zaria cluster, Kaduna Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The Partnership for Transforming Health Systems 2 (PATHS2) in Nigeria is implementing selected Behavior Change Communication (BCC) models to increase the knowledge of obstetric danger signs amongst women of reproductive age in Kaduna, Nigeria. The objective of this survey was to establish baseline proportions for knowledge of at least four danger
signs of pregnancy, delivery and postpartum period respectively amongst women age 15 - 49, residing within 25 selected communities in Zaria.
Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out amongst the eligible women within the communities. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for interview.
Results: 617 (94.5% response) eligible women participated in the study. Only 113 (18.31%) knew at least four danger signs during pregnancy. 61 (9.89%) knew at least four danger signs that can occur during labor and delivery and only 57 (9.24%) knew at least four danger signs that can  occur during the postpartum period.
Conclusion: A high proportion of the respondents are unaware of obstetric danger signs. It is recommended that radio broadcast be used as part of efforts towards increasing the proportion of women with knowledge of four or more obstetric danger signs in the study population.

Keywords: Danger Signs, obstetric, pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum.