Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic Research Articles

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasmosis Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Uyo Nigeria

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasmosis Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Uyo Nigeria

Assessment of Obstetric Characteristics Associate with Anemia Disease among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics at Garowe General Hospital, Somalia

Introduction: Existence of anaemia pregnancy women is when it comes to this hematologic abnormality. Hemoglobin deficiency during pregnancy has serious effect on maternal and fetus development, which could prompt high maternal mortality rates.
 Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the study was to assess obstetric characteristics associate with anemia disease among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Garowe general hospital. 
 Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study design was conducted. Systematic random sampling method was used to select 266 pregnant women. Mothers who attended Antenatal Clinic during the study period and who met the inclusion criteria were interviewed and a capillary blood sample was taken. Hemoglobin level was determined by using HemoCue photometer. A structured questionnaire as well as focus group discussions were held in collecting data. Qualitative data was analyzed using a content technique and quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
 Results: The inferential statistics entailed a bivariate chi-square analysis and odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) computed to find association between independent and dependent variables. The study found that 46% of the pregnant women in the study were anemic. Obstetric characteristics such as the interval or space between births and the abortion history of the mother was significantly associated with anemia disease.
 Recommendation: The study recommends that stakeholders including governments, Non-Governmental Oganization and the private sector in Somalia should seek to increase access to iron and folic acid supplements, should increase education on nutrition. In addition, the study recommends that sanitation and access to clean water should also be enhanced. Finally, the study recommends that the underlying socio-economic factors such as poverty, lack of education, unemployment and poor housing that lead to anemia should be addressed.

Intestinal Parasitosis among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sikkim, a Northeastern State of India.

The research paper explores the burden and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women in Sikkim, India, categorized as neglected tropical diseases affecting 1.5 billion globally, with higher rates in tropical regions. These infections pose significant health risks, causing anemia, poor maternal-perinatal health, and perpetuating generational undernutrition and recurrent infections. A cross-sectional study of 100 pregnant women in Sikkim aimed to determine the burden of intestinal parasitosis and associated sociodemographic factors. It reported a lower prevalence compared to similar studies, with Giardia Lamblia as the dominant parasite. The study found a significant link between intestinal parasitosis and anemia. In conclusion, the paper recommends routine screening and deworming for pregnant women with low hemoglobin levels, emphasizing health education and awareness about intestinal parasitosis during pregnancy, especially in resource-limited settings. Adherence to India's National Guidelines for Deworming during pregnancy is crucial.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Ante-Partum Hemorrhage among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Jinja City.

This study was carried out at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital to determine the Prevalence and associated risk factors of antepartum haemorrhage among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. The researcher used simple random sampling to select her Mothers to participate in the study. The mothers that participated in this study were 15 years and above and had genuine and mature answers according to the Researcher's view of the study. The questionnaires were constructed to obtain information on the prevalence and associated risk factors of antepartum haemorrhage among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. The researcher analyzed the quantitative data that was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS. It was expressed in terms of frequencies and percentages, which helped the researcher to show the distribution of respondents on each of the independent and dependent variables. The majority of the mothers were of the age group (26-30) years accounting for 33.3%, and the least were both (30-35) years and above 35 years accounting for 18.8%. 91.7% of the respondents were married, 4.2% were divorced and 2.1% were widows. The majority were peasants accounting for 41.7%, followed by employed ones at 31.2%, unemployed were 25.0% and lastly unspecified at 2.1%. These respondents were majorly of college/tertiary level of education accounting for 37.5%, followed by uneducated at 25.0%, secondary level at 22.9%, primary level were 10.9% and lastly post-graduate level at 2.1%. The majority of the respondents were not having PV bleeding which is 79.1% and those with PV bleeding were only 18.8% of the respondents. For those with PV bleeding it mainly lasted for 1 day with 6.2% of the respondents. It has found that APH was common in mothers in the age group of (20-30) years and factors which increased APH among women that participated in the study included the following factors smoking or chewing tobacco, number of deliverance, history of operations on the uterus, time interval to get another pregnancy, history of trauma. This made these major risk factors of APH. There the research recommended the government, sub-county, district and health workers to educate mothers on the risk factors of APH especially those above. Keywords: Antepartum haemorrhage, Pregnant women, Antenatal clinic, PV bleeding, Mothers.

Factors Contributing Towards COVID-19 Vaccination among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in a Tertiary Care Center, Bhubaneswar, India

Background: Many vaccines were approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use in 2020, but pregnant women were excluded from these trials. When the COVID-19 vaccines were approved for use by pregnant women, they were left in a dilemma about whether to accept the vaccine during pregnancy or not. Objective: To study the factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women attending antenatal tertiary care centers in India. Method: A questionnaire was provided to pregnant women attending the antenatal tertiary care hospitals in Bhubaneswar, India. The questions included socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric parameters, knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines, and the reasons for hesitancy towards them. Results: Vaccine hesitancy was 29.34% among pregnant women. The sources of information regarding the vaccine were the internet, and the causes of vaccine hesitancy were inadequate information and mistrust of the vaccine. Younger women were more inclined to accept the vaccine. Primigravida, the second trimester of pregnancy, belonging to rural areas, and being homemakers were factors associated with hesitancy. Conclusions: Health care professionals need to actively participate in motivating pregnant women to accept the COVID-19 vaccines that should be integrated with the routine vaccination strategy in antenatal clinics.

Original Research Article Socio-Economic and Cultural Factors Associated with the Nutritional Status of Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics at the Kalaban-Coro Reference Health Centre in 2022

The aim of this study was to assess the socio-economic and cultural factors associated with underweight in pregnant women in the Kalaban-coro Health Centre. Method and material: This was a cross-sectional analytical study carried out at the Kalaban-coro Reference Health Centre between 03 October and 02 November 2022, involving 280 pregnant women aged between 15 and 49 years. Data were collected by means of a paper questionnaire, then entered on an ODK form and analysed using SPSS 20. We performed a bivariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression with underweight as the dependent variable and several socio-demographic and economic characteristics of the pregnant women. Statistical tests were used with a significance level of 5%. Results: The study enrolled 280 pregnant women with an average age of 26.08 years, and the most common age group was 20 to 25 years (33.9%). The women surveyed had had an average of 3.11 pregnancies, with 2.02 live births and 0.31 deaths of children aged 0-5 years, and the number of live children was 1.76, almost 2 children. Most of the women surveyed (47.86%) were in their 2nd trimester, and 28.2% were first-time mothers. The Bambara ethnic group predominated, with 32.1%. Among our respondents, 39.6% had not attended school. Almost all of these women (92.50%) reported an average standard of living and a monthly income of between ≥50,000 and < 150,000. Only 7.9% of pregnant women were physically active. In terms of dietary diversity, 73.2% had eaten fewer than five food groups the day before the survey, so dietary diversity was low. The average weight of the respondents was 67.33 kg, with an average height of 164.48 cm, an average DB of 258.73 mm and an average BMI of 24.88. Estimated using the BMI <18.5 threshold, the prevalence of underweight was 4.3%. There was also a Spearman correlation between nutritional status and level of education (P = 0.021). Regression showed a positive correlation between overall underweight .......

Unmet Need for Contraception and Unintended Pregnancies Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at A Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Port Harcourt

Unmet Need for Contraception and Unintended Pregnancies Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at A Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Port Harcourt

"Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Loko Development Area, Nasarawa Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria"

"Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Loko Development Area, Nasarawa Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria"

The Carriage of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus amongst Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at a Tertiary Hospital, South-South Nigeria

Pregnant mothers are exposed to several infections because of their reduced immunity. Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus among postpartum women and babies are increasing, and a rise in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus may have fueled this increase. The study was designed to investigate the carriage and resistance pattern of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among pregnant women attending the ante-natal clinic at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri. Fifty urine samples were screened for Staphylococcus aureus on mannitol salt agar. Positive samples were then subjected to antibiotic sensitivity testing using the disc diffusion method, and resistance to Ceftriaxone was considered methicillin resistance. Results showed that 20 (40%) of the urine samples yielded growth of Staphylococcus aureus, 11 (73%) were resistant to Ceftriaxone, and over 70% of the MRSA isolates were multi-drug resistant. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonisation in pregnant women has dire consequences, and a surveillance system for antimicrobial resistance surveillance system is recommended.

Burden And Determinants of Anaemia Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Rural Healthcare Centers in The Ada West District of Ghana

Introduction: Anaemia during pregnancy is known to be a major contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity, therefore affecting most pregnant women especially those in developing countries. Preventable causes such as poor maternal nutrition and infections causes severe complications in maternal and neonatal health. This study, therefore, aimed to determine the burden and determinants of anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at rural facilities in the Ada West District of Ghana. Methodology: The study was quantitative and employed a cross-sectional study design. A simple random sampling technique was applied to enlist respondents (n=345). Data was collected with the aid of validated and structured questions and was administered one on one with respondents. Data gathered were analysed with the (STATA version 17). Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted on the data collected and findings were depicted graphically and on tables. In the bivariate and multivariate models, an alpha value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant between the dependent and independent variables. Results: The prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women was 51.0%. Unemployment and travelling long distances (>5km) were associated with anaemia. Again, late initiation to antenatal care, third trimester of pregnancy, and birth spacing of less than four years in addition to malaria parasite infection significantly contributed to anaemia. However, sleeping under insecticide-treated nets protected pregnant women from anaemia. Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of anaemia was high and factors such as unemployment, long distance to a health facility, late initiation of antenatal care, third trimester in pregnancy, and birth spacing less than a year, in addition to malaria parasite infection significantly predicted anaemia among pregnant women. Health education through mass media and during antenatal care clinics by health care practitioners would help reduce the occurrence of anaemia among pregnant women. Regular antenatal visits and testing of malaria parasite infection for pregnant women would also be beneficial in reducing the occurrence of anaemia. Further investigations are recommended to explore pregnant women's knowledge of anaemia and associated burden in the district.

Patterns, Peculiarities and Associated Risk Factors of Anemia in Pregnancy: A Case Study of Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in North-Central Nigeria

<i>Background: </i>Anemia is a prevalent medical disorder during pregnancy, posing a significant global public health burden. In developing countries like Nigeria, it remains a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. <i>Aim: </i>To determine the red cell morphological patterns, peculiarities (clinical characteristics) of anemia, and associated risk factors including socio-demographic factors, associated with anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of a tertiary care hospital in North-Central Nigeria. <i>Materials and Methods: </i>A prospective, analytical study on 415 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic over a period of 4 months was conducted. The red cell morphology, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), genotype, and HIV status of each participant were determined. Using structured questionnaires, their bio-data, obstetric and medical histories, and results of routine investigations were documented. Statistical software (SPSS version 20, Chicago 11, USA) was used to analyze the data obtained. Continuous variables were presented as mean±SD, and categorical variables were presented as numbers and percentages. Chi-square tests were used for comparative analysis and the level of statistical significance was set at <i>p</i><0.05. In addition, the association between anemia and socio-demographic factors, clinical characteristics, and risk factors were tested using Chi-square test. <i>Results: </i>Mean age of the study participants was 29.7±5.3 years. The mean BMI was 28.0±7.2 kg/m2, and the mean parity was 1.9±1.7. In addition, 7.8% of the pregnant women were HIV positive. The mean packed cell volume was 32.7±3.1%, and 42.5% of the participants were anemic, with 29.0% and 13.5% having mild and moderate anemia, respectively. The most common blood picture indicated iron deficiency anemia, with microcytic hypochromia and normocytic hypochromia. Educational level (<i>p</i>=0.00) and socio-economic class (<i>p</i>=0.00) were significantly and independently related to anemia, while gestational age (<i>p</i>=0.55) was not significantly related. Moreover, a history of fever during the current pregnancy was significantly related to anemia (<i>p</i>=0.01), while genotype (<i>p</i>=0.33) was not. Anemia was significantly related to HIV-positive status (<i>p</i>=0.00). <i>Conclusion: </i>Pregnant women should be encouraged to receive antenatal care, where they can receive hematinic supplements, appropriate investigations and treatments for fever or HIV. Poverty is a contributing factor to poor health outcomes during pregnancy. Implementing national and local policies to boost the economy can help alleviate poverty and improve health outcomes in pregnant women.

Determinants of Adherence to Option B+ Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV Positive Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics at Tertiary Health Institutions in Anambra State

Purpose: The study ascertained determinants of adherence to option B+ antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at tertiary health institutions in Anambra state.&#x0D; Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted in conducting the study among HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at tertiary health institutions in Anambra state. A sample size of one hundred and forty six (146) HIV positive pregnant women was selected by purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Adult AIDS Clinical Trial Group (AACTG) standardized questionnaire was used in data collection which were analyzed with IBM SPSS software database (version 25). Chi square was used for test of hypotheses at p &lt; 0.05 level of significance.&#x0D; Findings: Results revealed that the women with parity less than 4 (105(89%) were more adherent to ART; the women with primary education as highest level of education (13(92.9%) were more adherent to ART; the women within the age range 15-25 years (32(97%) were adherent; the women working in the informal sector (31 (96.9%) were more adherent to ART. The study also showed that there is no significant relationship between the women’s level of education, parity, age and adherence to ART but there is significant relationship between the women’s occupation and adherence to ART. From the study, it was ascertained that the HIV positive pregnant woman’s parity, level of education and age are not determinants of adherence to Option B+ ART but occupation of the women is.&#x0D; Recommendations: Health care providers or mentor mothers in the health care facilities should give more attention to the HIV positive pregnant women working in the informal sector and unemployed than the women working in the formal sector in regards to their adherence to ART.

Determinants of Adherence to Option B+ Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV Positive Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics at Tertiary Health Institutions in Anambra State

Purpose: The study ascertained determinants of adherence to option B+ antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at tertiary health institutions in Anambra state.&#x0D; Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted in conducting the study among HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at tertiary health institutions in Anambra state. A sample size of one hundred and forty six (146) HIV positive pregnant women was selected by purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Adult AIDS Clinical Trial Group (AACTG) standardized questionnaire was used in data collection which were analyzed with IBM SPSS software database (version 25). Chi square was used for test of hypotheses at p &lt; 0.05 level of significance.&#x0D; Findings: Results revealed that the women with parity less than 4 (105(89%) were more adherent to ART; the women with primary education as highest level of education (13(92.9%) were more adherent to ART; the women within the age range 15-25 years (32(97%) were adherent; the women working in the informal sector (31 (96.9%) were more adherent to ART. The study also showed that there is no significant relationship between the women’s level of education, parity, age and adherence to ART but there is significant relationship between the women’s occupation and adherence to ART. From the study, it was ascertained that the HIV positive pregnant woman’s parity, level of education and age are not determinants of adherence to Option B+ ART but occupation of the women is.&#x0D; Recommendations: Health care providers or mentor mothers in the health care facilities should give more attention to the HIV positive pregnant women working in the informal sector and unemployed than the women working in the formal sector in regards to their adherence to ART.&#x0D;

Prevalence and Factors Influencing Self-Medication among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Urban Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria

Despite the adverse effects of self-medication (SM), such as antimicrobial drug resistance, drug addiction, allergy, worsening of ailment, organ damage, disability, and death, the practice is still common and increasingly practiced globally, even among pregnant women. This study investigated the prevalence and factors influencing self-medication among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in urban tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. A facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out in two tertiary hospitals in Port Harcourt between 25 September and 24 October 2022, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and logistics regression techniques, and statistical significance was set at p &lt; 0.05. A total of 413 respondents participated in the study. The prevalence of SM was 31.0% (95% CI = 26.7–73.3). Women who were not married and those with less than secondary education had the highest prevalence, 60.5% (95% CI = 45.1–74.0) and 51.1% (95% CI = 42.7–59.4), respectively. The common drugs used for SM were Paracetamol, antimalarials, antibiotics, cough and cold medicines, and herbal products. While the reasons for SM were emergency illness, high cost at health facilities, and distance to the health facility. The commonest illnesses/symptoms that necessitated SM included body pain, headache, fever, cold and cough, and vaginal discharge. Married women and those educated above the secondary level had lower odds of practicing SM compared to their counterparts; married (AOR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.18–0.78) and &gt;secondary level (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.18–0.51). This study showed that a significant proportion of pregnant women practiced SM and marital status and educational level were the factors influencing SM in the studied population. We recommend public health education and reproductive health programmes aimed at discouraging unmarried women and those with minimal education from the irrational use of drugs during pregnancy.

Awareness and Perception on Exclusive Breastfeeding as a Birth Control Method among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Rural Communities

Awareness and Perception on Exclusive Breastfeeding as a Birth Control Method among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Rural Communities

Factors Associated with Utilization of Malaria Preventive and Control Measures Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Kisumu County Referral Hospital in Kisumu City Western Kenya

Factors Associated with Utilization of Malaria Preventive and Control Measures Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Kisumu County Referral Hospital in Kisumu City Western Kenya

Acute Toxoplasmosis among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Kaduna State

Introduction: Acute infection of Toxoplasma gondii can be transmitted during pregnancy to the foetus vertically which may cause congenital complications like abortion, stillbirth, visual impairment, seizure, hearing impairment and neurological disorders.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of 357 pregnant women were screened using ELISA method for acute Toxoplasma gondii (IgM).&#x0D; Result: The investigation however shows a prevalence of 2.8% (IgM). Ages 16-20 and 26-30 years have the highest prevalence of 3(0.8%) positive. While ages 21-25 and 31-35 years have prevalence of 2(0.6%) positive. However ages 36-40 years are all negative. (p&gt; 0.05).This did not show any statistical significant with the age groups. Northern Senatorial zone has the highest prevalence of 8(2.6%) followed by the Central Senatorial zone with 2(0.2%) while the Southern zone shows no acute Toxoplasmosis,(p &lt;0.05) hence it shows statistical significant. Women in their second trimesters have the highest prevalence of 7(2.0%) followed by first trimesters with prevalence of 2(0.6%) and third trimester with prevalence of 1(0.2%) positive, however it is not statistical significant (p &gt; 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Therefore the chance of acquiring acute infection of T. gondii is possible during pregnancy and would have potential tragic outcomes for the mother and new-born despite the fact that it can be prevented. The need for aggressive awareness and necessary facilities available for screening of T. gondii during antenatal clinic is necessary.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Relating to Food and Nutrition among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics at Menontin Hospital (Benin)

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Relating to Food and Nutrition among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics at Menontin Hospital (Benin)

Oral Health Patterns among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Bamenda

Oral Health Patterns among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Bamenda

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Medication use among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Medication use during pregnancy is a major concern in India and poor awareness is driven by non scientific information sources. Primary care providers play a role in providing information on risk of teratogenic and folate deficiency birth defects. Aim: To assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic regarding medication use and self-medication during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in a tertiary care teaching hospital of Eastern India from August to October 2021. The study looked at sources of drug information, attitudes regarding medication use and practice of medication use and self-medication among pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinic of the hospital. Consenting women were enrolled in the study and the qualitative data gathered from the women were analysed using tools of descriptive statistics. Results: This study included 100 pregnant women with mean age of 22±2.0 years of which 42% were primigravida. Of the participants 80% had atleast high school education. Two third of the mothers 66% cited their family members as source of their drug information and 76% were aware of the risks of selfmedication during pregnancy. Self medication practice was seen in 25% pregnant women mainly with Paracetamol use for pain or over-the-counter drugs to control acid reflux and morning sickness symptoms. All the participants (100%) took their iron and folic acid supplements as advised. Conclusion: The pregnant women attending the hospital showed adequate knowledge and satisfactory practices regarding medication use. Counselling of the mothers attending the clinic regarding drug use and possible harms to the mother and baby can help reduce long-term risks.