Minor Ailments During Pregnancy among Primigravida Women AT AL- Diwanyiah Governorate

Abstract

Objective: Determine the incidence of minor ailments among primigravida women during pregnancy. Methodology: A descriptive study done to determine the incidence of common minor ailments among primigravida women during pregnancy and how often they used home remedies to alleviate their discomforts. The study was conducted in maternal and pediatric teaching hospital at Al- Diwaniyah governorate on (100) pregnant women, selected by nonprobability convenience sampling technique from March to July 2023. SPSS version 27 was used for the data analysis process. The results of the study were presented using descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages. Results: Revealed that (68%) of expectants mothers age range was between 20 and 35 years old. In terms of education, (36%) of the subjects completed the intermediate school. In terms of the mothers' jobs, (53%) of them were housewives and 47% of them were workers. Regarding residency, (67%) of them reside in cities, with the remaining individuals doing so in rural areas. Furthermore, the majority of them (87%) were in the second trimester of their pregnancies, and (55%) of them were planning a pregnancy. Additionally, they reported that morning sickness (80%), frequent urination (77%), back pain (75%) were the most common discomforts, and insomnia (22%),. However, only (74%)of primigravida women manage these discomforts with various home remedies. Conclusions: The main findings show that all of the primigravida women in the study experienced minor discomforts in varying sequences, regardless of gestational age and morning sickness was the most common minor discomforts among the sample subjects, while insomnia was the least one common. For the minor discomforts they encountered, nearly three quarter of the sample subjects used various home care remedies. Recommendations: Pregnant women should all receive prenatal health education, emphasizing minor discomforts and appropriate self-care techniques, to raise their awareness.