Assessment of knowledge on the danger signs of pregnancy among pregnant women at Sinza Palestina Hospital in Ubungo Municipality, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: The rate of maternal mortality has dropped globally however in some developing countries the rate of decline has been slow. Several efforts have been made to improve maternal health and reduce maternal mortality. Lack of information on danger signs during pregnancy is one of the factors that contribute to maternal mortality.  The study aimed to assess knowledge of pregnancy danger signs among pregnant women at Sinza Palestina Hospital in Ubungo Municipality, Tanzania.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving all pregnant women who attended RHC services at Sinza Palestina Hospital in Ubungo Municipality. Socio-demographic characteristics and obstetrics experiences in the last pregnancy, knowledge on danger signs of pregnancy were collected. Data were analysed using the SPSS statistical package. Categorical and continuous variables were summarized and presented in tables and bar charts. Any p-value of < 0.05, at a 95% confidence interval was regarded as statistically significant.

Results: A total of 410 pregnant women aged 18 – 46 years, mean age of 27 years were enrolled in this study. Amongst, 66 (16.1%) had low knowledge on obstetric danger signs and associated with age less than 20 years (aOR = 15.3, 95% CI: 4.8 – 48.3, p–value, < 0.001), education level (aOR = 27.7, 95% CI: 5.0 – 152, p–value, < 0.001), being single (aOR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.1 – 12.9, p–value, < 0.04), parity (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1 – 3.4, p–value, < 0.02 and less ANC visits (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2 – 7.0, p–value, < 0.04). Moreover, occupation which was thought to have an association with knowledge of obstetrics danger signs, the association did not reach a statistically significant with p = 0.44.

Conclusions and recommendations: In general, the findings of this study, show that the vast majority (83.9%) of pregnant mothers have sufficient knowledge of obstetric danger signs. Vaginal bleeding was the most commonly mentioned obstetric danger while Convulsion and fever were mentioned less. Age and education level of pregnant women, parity and ANC visits were identified as the significant factors for knowledge of obstetric danger signs among pregnant women. We recommend that health education and behavioural change programs to continue be implemented in all health facilities to continue imparting knowledge to all pregnant mothers. Efforts should be directed towards empowering nurse midwives.