Awareness Of Obstetric Danger Signs And Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women In Public Health Institutions, In Jigjiga Town Somali Region, Ethiopia, 2017

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Globally, the maternal mortality ratio was estimated to be 216 per 100,000 live births in 2015. This translates that there are around 830 women dying every day due to pregnancy complications and child birth. World Health Organization (WHO) African regions bore almost two thirds of global maternal deaths. Direct obstetrical deaths have six major causes: hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, hemorrhage, infections/ sepsis, thromboembolism, and, in developing countries, obstructed labor and complications from illegal abortion. Lack of awareness on the symptoms of obstetric complication is one of the reasons of failure of women to identify and seek appropriate emergency care. Objective of the study was intended to evaluate the level awareness of obstetric danger signs and associated factors among pregnant women in public health institutions, jigjiga town, Somali region, Ethiopia. Method: institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted between April 15 to 30, 2017. A total of 357 pregnant women selected using Stratified random sampling method was included in the study. The respondents were interviewed from two hospitals and one health centers by using pretested structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was computed and Chi-square test was used to measure the association of dependent and independent variables, whereas, 95% confidence interval and P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant association between variables. Result: out of 357 pregnant women participated in the study,126 (35.3%) were in the age group 20-24 years, 117 (32.8%) were in the age range 25 – 29 years and only 29 (8.1%) were above 35 years. Almost all study participants, 354 (99.2%) were married. Regarding religion, majority, 347 (97.2%) of them were Muslims. Majority, 355 (99.4%) of the participants come from urban area. Regarding level education of iii the clients, 159 (44.6%) of the clients were illiterate whereas only 34(9.3%) of the clients have educational level of secondary school or attended in college. In addition to this, 158 (44.25%), 173 (48.74%), 25 (7%) of the clients had one or no child, 2-4 children or more than 4 children respectively. Of the respondents, 43% did not have antenatal care (ANC) follow up in last pregnancy. Regarding awareness towards obstetric danger signs, 225 (63%) knew one or more obstetric danger signs whereas 132 (38.1%) did not heard any obstetric danger signs. The study shows significant association between awareness of obstetric danger signs with age (X2 = 68.120, p <0.001), occupation (X2 = 25.073, p =0.002), parity (X2= 70.513, p <0.001), number of ANC flow up during last pregnancy (X2= 12.063, p =0.0017). Conclusion and Recommendation: study indicated low awareness of obstetric danger in significant proportion of the respondents and some of the key danger signs of pregnancy were rarely mentioned or familiar to the pregnant women attending Jigjiga public health institution. association between level of awareness of obstetric danger signs and age, gravidity, number of last pregnancy ANC visits but no association between the level of awareness danger signs and educational status of the respondents. This seems that women learn more about experiences related to pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, strategic plan is required to increase awareness of pregnant women, families and community members towards obstetric danger signs. Health care providers should have more active role in educating and advising about these dangers sign.