Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pregnant Women towards Obstetric Ultrasound at Mulago Hospital: A Cross-sectional Survey

doi:10.33140/jgrm.06.01.01

Abstract

Introduction: Obstetric ultrasonography in antenatal care (ANC) is globally recognized as one of the ways through which maternal mortality can be reduced. Pregnant women’s knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes are thought to influence their response towards obstetric ultrasonography. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant women towards obstetric sonography at Mulago hospital. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that involved 300 pregnant women who reported for obstetric sonography at Mulago hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Consecutive sampling technique was used to recruit participants into the study. The data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and was analyzed quantitatively into descriptive statistical tables, percentages and graphs using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 25.0 software. Results: The study had a response rate of 100%. Most participants had good knowledge of obstetric ultrasound scan. However, there was a misconception that ultrasound has harmful effects. Generally, participants had a positive attitude but poor practices towards obstetric ultrasound scan. Long waiting time and lack of privacy were reported by most participants as leading factors that contributed to the poor practices. Conclusion: This study shows that the knowledge and attitude of pregnant women towards obstetric ultrasound in Mulago hospital were good. However, their practices were poor. The concerns that need to be addressed in order to improve their practices include patient’s privacy, waiting time and the misconception regarding the safety of ultrasound that it can cause cancer

Highlights

Obstetric ultrasonography in antenatal care (ANC) is globally recognized as one of the ways through which maternal mortality can be reduced
This study shows that the knowledge and attitude of pregnant women towards obstetric ultrasound in Mulago hospital were good
The concerns that need to be addressed in order to improve their practices include patient’s privacy, waiting time and the misconception regarding the safety of ultrasound that it can cause cancer

Summary

Introduction

Obstetric ultrasonography in antenatal care (ANC) is globally recognized as one of the ways through which maternal mortality can be reduced. Pregnant women’s knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes are thought to influence their response towards obstetric ultrasonography. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant women towards obstetric sonography at Mulago hospital. Ultrasound in regard to other existing obstetric imaging modalities like magnetic resonance imaging is non-invasive, cheaper and safe. It gives pregnant mothers the real-time images of their unborn babies[1]. Obstetric ultrasound is firmly embedded in ANC around the world. Socio-economic status and education have been shown to have an impact on the women’s perception towards obstetric ultrasound[4] Obstetric ultrasonography is important in determining the presence and location of the pregnancy, presence and viability of the embryo, estimating the age of pregnancy and the date of delivery, evaluation of the fetal presentation, placenta localization; amniotic fluid assessment, and assessing fetal anatomy[3].

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