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Routine diagnostic antenatal ultrasound scan: knowledge and perception of pregnant women
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge and perception of pregnant women about antenatal ultrasound scan USS). It is also to determine factors that influence why women seek to do USS in pregnancy and the reasons for choosing a facility for the service.
Method: Questionnaires were administered to consecutive samples of patients who came in for antenatal ultrasound scan at our centre by nurses who have been previously trained for the purpose. The scan was then done by a trained sonographer. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 11 Routine antenatal ultrasound scan involves fetal age determination, fetal wellbeing assessment, fetal weight estimation and sex determination where possible
Results: The response rate was 97.5%. Majority of the patients (76.3%) attended higher school and above and 3.7% had no education at all. Two hundred and twenty nine (65.5%) of the patients were sure of their last menstrual period. All the patients were aware of the need for ultrasound scan in pregnancy and 70.4% has had USS done in pregnancies before. Almost all the patients 94.6% believed that USS is necessary in pregnancy. Ninety (25.6%) believed that USS should be done at least 3 times in pregnancy and 110 (31.3%) believed it should be done as often as possible. Eighty six point nine per cent (86.9%) are of the opinion that USS has no harmful effect on the baby. Few of the patients (3.1%) believed that USS should not be done in early pregnancy while majority 85.7% feels it could be done at any time. Majority of the patients came to assess fetal well being. Cost was not a consideration in the choice of where to do the scan.
Conclusion: Ultrasound scan is a veritable tool in the management of the pregnant woman. Majority of our patients are aware of ultrasound scan service and many of them have actually used the service before. This should make compliance to doctors' request for ultrasound scan easy and patients should derive the full benefit of Ultrasound scan especially in pregnancy.
