Preventive health behaviours for infection among pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinics in Nnamdi Azikiwe university teaching hospital Nnewi Anambra State Nigeria.

Abstract

Infection during pregnancy is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. This study was aimed to determine the infection preventive health behaviours during pregnancy among pregnant mothers attending Antenatal clinic in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi Anambra State using a descriptive survey approach. A ten item self-structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.99 was used as instrument of data collection from a sample size of 120 randomly selected using a convenient sampling technique. The direct service system was employed to ensure 100% return of instrument. The data collected were presented in frequency tables and chart. Analysis was done using simple percentage distribution table and the hypothesis was tested using chi square analysis technique at the alpha level of 0.05 with the aid of social science statistical package. The findings obtained revealed that the perceived predisposing factors to infection during pregnancy among women of child bearing age include the use of unclean toilet and bathroom poor personal hygiene dirty environment multiple sexual partners/unprotected sexual intercourse and handling of dirty items. They maintain good personal hygiene go for regular antenatal services; take adequate food fruits and vegetables maintain one sexual partner as a preventive measure for infection during pregnancy. Two major factors which are environment and financial status where identified as the key factors influencing choice of infection preventive behaviour during pregnancy. The analysis of the first hypothesis revealed that there is a significant difference in the infection preventive health behavior during pregnancy among pregnant mothers of childbearing age in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi based on number of gestation and the second hypothesis revealed that there is a significant difference in the infection preventive health behavior during pregnancy among pregnant mothers of childbearing age in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi based on their education level. Based on these findings it is recommended that the health care provider and pregnant mothers to collaborate towards increasing the level of awareness and adoption of infection preventive health behaviour.