Knowledge of Danger Signs for Major Obstetric Complications Among Pregnant KwaZulu-Natal Women

Abstract

Objectives. The explicit objectives of the present study were to assess the level of knowledge on pregnancy “danger signs” and HIV status, estimate the proportion of pregnant women uses health care facilities, and identify sociodemographic predictors. Methods. A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted by means of a questionnaire survey among 340 black pregnant women from the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Results. The mean age of the pregnant women was 26 years where teenage pregnancy rate was 13%. Most of the pregnant women were single (78%), less educated (60%), and unemployed (92%). Though most of the study population (92%) attended health care facilities, only half (52%) of them knew about some of the “danger signs” of pregnancy, and 39% of them knew about their HIV status. Known HIV status was related to the knowledge of pregnancy complication ( P = .018). Knowledge of “danger signs” of pregnancy was significantly ( P = .012) associated with the age of the expectant mother. Conclusion. Low level of knowledge on “danger signs” of pregnancy and their HIV status are observed among pregnant women. This warrants an urgent attempt to introduce health education strategies to rural population of South Africa.