Ultrasound: what do pregnant women know, think and want

Abstract

Background: Ultrasound examination of the pregnant uterus is becoming increasingly used to evaluate the fetus. However particularly in the developing countries the awareness, attitude and knowledge of patients has been largely unexplored.
Aim: To determine the awareness, attitude and knowledge of pregnant women about ultrasound.
Methods: Two hundred and fifty pregnant women reporting to an  ultrasound scanning centre were asked to complete a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The questionnaire had questions on socio-demographic characteristics of the patients and on awareness  attitude and knowledge of ultrasound. Analysis of the result was by simple percentages.
Results: Only 164 (67.8%) of the patients were previously  aware of ultrasound .Thirty three per cent  were anxious about the result of the test and 39% did not know why the test was requested by their caregivers. There  was poor knowledge of ultrasound as 56 % did not know if it was the same as X-ray,23% did not know it could detect twins while 30% did not know that  it could detect fetal death. Likewise, 32% did not know if it could harm the baby,29% did not know if it could harm the mother and 23% said it could  not detect foetal gender. Majority (84%)of the patients wanted to know the sex of their babies and 47% of the patients were referred for ultrasound scan in the third trimester by their caregivers.
Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge of ultrasound and communication between caregivers and their patients was unsatisfactory .The  inclusion of accurate information about ultrasound in the antenatal lectures would help to  improve the situation. Caregivers also need to be better informed in order to send their patients earlier and improve communication with their patients to reduce anxiety.

Keywords: Awareness, Attitude, Knowledge, Ultrasound, Pregnancy