Awareness of obstetric complications during pregnancy among women of childbearing age in Pakistan

Abstract

Objective:​ To assess the awareness level and determinants of obstetric complications during pregnancy among women aged 18 years and older in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Method: ​A descriptive cross sectional study of 230 women was performed in August 2017, using a closed ended structured based questionnaire. Interviews were conducted in two of the Districts (Ghizer and Gilgit) in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. The questionnaire contained information primarily based on three domains. ​Socio-demographic information-including age, education level, religion, and marital status, and economic status, number of family members or children. Rest of the questionnaire contained information related to pregnancy history and other characteristics, such as abortions, antenatal follow up and presence of any complications. The last portion of the questionnaire had information based on women’s knowledge of obstetric complications, complaining of any obstetric complication during pregnancy and where to go woman has any of these signs, were asked from the participants. Data was analyzed using spss software. Results:​ The study revealed that women had poor awareness (157, 68.3%) of danger signs of pregnancy, delivery and after childbirth. The percentage of women having fair awareness of obstetric complications was 57(24.8%) and 16(7%) had good awareness. Role of level of education and maternal health education were the significant factors associated with awareness of danger signs of pregnancy, delivery and after childbirth. Conclusion:​ Women of childbearing age in Gilgit baltistan, Pakistan had poor awareness of obstetric complications during pregnancy. Thus, the study reflects the need for strategic plan to increase an awareness to shape health seeking behavior of the public related to obstetric danger signs.