A Community Based Survey to Assess the Prevalence of Antepartum Risk Factors Among Women in A Rural Area, Salem, Tamilnadu.

Abstract

Background: The maternal and child health has been one of the most important matters of concern, mainly in the developing countries because of higher maternal morbidity and mortality. So this was conducted to assess the prevalence of antepartum risk factors among women in a rural area of Salem, Tamil Nadu. Objectives: To study the pattern of antepartum morbidity among pregnant women and the factors influencing it. To study the health seeking behaviour among pregnant women. Methods: A Cross sectional study was done among pregnant women (n= 164) in all three trimesters registered in Poolavari PHC which is attached to Vinayaka Missions KirupanandaVariyar Medical College, Salem using a structured questionnaire. Results: The prevalence antepartum risk factors among the study participants is as follows. Out of them 13.4% were teenagers while 0.6% were elderly primi. 15.9% were anemic and 7.9 had preeclampsia. Of them 5.5% had previous miscarriages, 0.6% had previous stillbirth, 11.8% delivered their previous child through LSCS. Conclusions: Most of the antepartum risk factors and their outcomes are preventable with proper prenatal care which should be ensured at the primary health care level.