Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of Pregnant Women Entrepreneurs Towards Attending Antenatal Care Clinic At Chika/Aleyita, Abuja Municipal Area Council

Abstract

Background: Poor antenatal care attendance has continued to affect maternal and child health against Sustainable Development Goal to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio, end preventable deaths of newborns, and decrease neonatal death.
Objectives: This study assessed pregnant women entrepreneurs' knowledge, attitude, and perception towards attending antenatal care clinics in Chika/Aleyita Area.
Methodology: About 200 women entrepreneurs who gave informed consent were recruited into the study. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to obtain information on knowledge, perception, and attitude towards antenatal clinic visits. Data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, mean and Chi-Square analysis.
Results: The respondents aged 25-35 years were 57.6%, 94.9% were married, and 50% had a secondary education certificate. Some were selling fruits and vegetables (39.3%), while 28% were into cosmetics. Majority (89.3%) attended antenatal clinic in the hospital. The awareness of antenatal before pregnancy (p<0.001), need for tetanus immunization (p<0.001), routine medication intake (p<0.001), hospital as the best delivery place (p<0.001), and awareness of the need for at least five antenatal attendance (p<0.001) were significantly associated with antenatal attendance. However, the number of pregnancies was not associated with antenatal attendance (p=0.31).
Conclusion: Public health workers, nurses, and midwives should intensify their health education strategies to help mothers understand the implication and the benefit of antenatal care.