Assessment of pregnant women’s knowledge and practices concerning prenatal care who attend primary health care centers in Baghdad City

Abstract EN

Objective : to assess knowledge of pregnant women concerning prenatal care who attend primary health care center in Baghdad city.

Methodology : A descriptive analytic study carried on (100) pregnant women who attend primary health care centers in Baghdad city (50) of them from Al- Sheik Omer primary health care center / Resafa sector .and 50 from Belat Al-Shuhadaa / Al Karch sector, during the period from April to November 2011.

The data were collected through interview and use questionnaire format.

Validity and Reliability of the questionnaire were determined through panel of experts and pilot study, data were analysed through the application of descriptive statistical analysis and inferential statistical analysis.

Results : the results revealed that (28 %) of pregnant women their ages ranged between 15-19 years, (48%) were not read and write, (54 %) from low socioeconomic status.

(61 %) had 1-2 gravida, (48 %) had 1-2 para, 26 % had 1-2 abortion and 78 % attended primary health care center 1-2 visits only.

The result indicates that there is no significant relationship between sociodemographic characteristic and knowledge of pregnant women concerning prenatal care, while there is significant relationship between number of prenatal care visits and knowledge of the pregnant women.

Recommendations : the study recommended an emphasis on health education for mothers' awareness of the importance of regular visits to primary health care center during pregnancy.