Awareness and Knowledge of Congenital Clubfoot Among Antenatal Clinic Attendees in Calabar

Abstract

Background: Congenital clubfoot is the commonest congenital musculoskeletal malformation of the limbs. In developed nations where most deliveries take place at standard healthcare facilities, diagnosis is usually made at birth and proper documentation and registration done. This is contrary to what obtains in under-developed countries, resulting in significant numbers of missed cases, and largely in under-reporting of the disease. Adequate knowledge of congenital clubfoot among pregnant women would reflect on the health seeking behavior of nursing mothers, leading to early detection and prompt treatment of the disease.
Objective: To determine the level of knowledge and perception of congenital clubfoot among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Calabar, Nigeria
Methods: Pregnant women attending antenatal sessions at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar were recruited for the study. Healthcare professionals amongst the pregnant women were excluded from the study. Using a structured researcher-administered questionnaire, respondents' basic sociodemographic data as well as their level of awareness and general knowledge of congenital clubfoot including its risk factors and treatment modalities were recorded. Based on their response, respondents' level of awareness and knowledge of clubfoot was categorized into: poor, inadequate and adequate levels.
Results: A total of 163 consenting pregnant women who attended antenatal sessions at the antenatal clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital over a 3-month period participated in the study. Majority of the respondents (N = 159, 97.55%) were between the ages of 20 and 39 years. The predominant educational status amongst the respondents was tertiary education (N = 112, 68.71%). Most of the respondents (N = 67, 41.1%) were primigravida. Majority of the respondents (N = 97, 59.51%) had poor general knowledge of congenital clubfoot. There was no significant relationship between respondents' general knowledge of congenital clubfoot and their age (X2 = 5.620, p = 0.326) and educational status (X2 = 9.219, p = 0.351).
Conclusion: Poor general knowledge of congenital clubfoot amongst most antenatal clinic attendees in Calabar does not correlate with their age and educational status. Medical education and health awareness campaigns should be incorporated into antenatal sessions in order to increase the awareness of congenital clubfoot among pregnant women.