RCOG World Congress 2023

Title- Knowledge, Attitude and Practices in women towards antenatal care during COVID-19 pandemic

Sheeba Marwah, Shiwani Tripathi

Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India

Introduction
 Coronavirus disease or COVID 19 pandemic had spread all over the world, including
India.
 It mainly affects the respiratory system leading to symptoms such as fever, cough,
shortness of breath, alteration in taste and smell, coagulation abnormalities whilst 60
to 70% people may be asymptomatic carriers.
 People were seeking more and more information about the pandemic and forgetting
about their co-morbidities and otherwise routine health check-ups including pregnant
women.
 we aim to study the effect of COVID 19 pandemic on maternity services in antenatal
women through their Knowledge, Attitude and practise towards routine healthcare in
order to streamline and ensure provision of respectful maternal care.

Method
 An interview was conducted and KAP(Knowledge, Attitude, Practice) questionnaire
was filled based on verbatim answers.
 Term/near term 3000 SARS CoV2 negative antenatal women were enrolled.
 The data obtained during the study was recorded on predesigned case proforma, and
analysed.

Results

ØAll women were knowing about the pandemic and its common sign and symptoms along with basic preventive measures.

ØMost of the (88.4%) women thought that they were at increased risk of contracting infection during pregnancy and 2208(73.6%) thought that coronavirus can harm baby and will increase risk to pregnancy.

ØAwareness of nearby health facility providing antenatal care were in 71.2% and 94% were aware of functional OPD services but only 1.4% were aware of teleconsultation services.

Ø About 81.2% had fear that they will contract infection from hospital.

ØAll of them knew that taking Iron, Calcium and vitamin supplements and getting ultrasound and investigations were necessary but only 1524(50.8%) took these supplements regularly, 1752(58.4%) got their ultrasound done and 41.6% got investigations done.

All the respondents wanted to have hospital delivery.

Discussion

ØEvery woman had knowledge about Covid-19 and most of them knew common symptoms and preventive methods in accordance with similar studies.

ØAll of them knew the importance of ANC visits, supplements, investigations and hospital delivery but due to fear of contracting infection from hospital or risk for baby form infection only some women were able to avail these service.

ØThis study results helped in understanding pandemic from patients point of view and improving maternity care for them in similar situation in future.

ØIn conclusion mastering correct knowledge will foster positive attitude among antenatal women and will not only prevent disease transmission but also improve pregnancy outcome.

RCOG World Congress 2023

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices in women towards antenatal care during COVID-19 pandemic

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