Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Women towards Antenatal Care and Factors Affecting its Utilization, Aldanagla Health Center, Gezira State, Sudan (2013)

Abstract

This is a descriptive cross sectional community based study to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of women at childbearing age towards antenatal care and factors affecting utilization, 200 married women were selected. The study was conducted at Aldanagla village. Structured questionnaire was used with participants about antenatal care. Most women were at age 25-35 years. Most of them were literate either secondary or university (84.5%). 80% were housewives, average income of families 500-1000 SD. Most of women conducted antenatal care at private clinics, they started their visits at first trimester 69% and had frequent antenatal care visits. Most of them preferred delivery at public hospital. Coverage with tetanus toxoid vaccine was high, 96% received at least one dose of tetanus toxoid vaccine. 80% used iron and folic acid regularly during pregnancy. Opinion of women at appropriate child spacing from 2 years to more than 3 years (80%). They had good knowledge about controlling measures of malaria but most of them did not use any method for prevention during last pregnancy. 55% used family planning methods, 94.5% hade a good nutritional practice during last pregnancy. Most of pregnant ladies have done all recommended investigations. No association between family income and use of antenatal care but educational level and age affect antenatal care use. No association between educational level and knowledge about controlling measure of malaria. We concluded that knowledge attitude and practice of mothers at childbearing age towards antenatal care at Aldanagla village was high. The study recommended that health education is mandatory, ensuring utilization of antenatal care locally by improving quality of antenatal care services at Aldanagla health center.