Md. Akhtar-Uz-Zaman1, Tanusree Sarkar2, Saber Ahmed Shimul3,
Shamrat Adnan Chowdhury4, Azaz Uddin Ahmed Sane5, Farjana Siraj Shorna6
1. Associate Professor (CC), Department of Community Medicine, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
2. Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
3. Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
4. Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
5. Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
6. Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
Abstract
This study was carried out to assess the level of knowledge about the antenatal care among the women attending different out patient department of North East Medical College Hospital, Sylhet. Reproductive age group women (116) were selected purposively and data were collected through face to face interview by using a semi structured questionnaire. Among the respondents, highest proportions (33.62%) were belonged to the 18-25 years age group, majority (91.38%) were Muslim, house wife (91.38%) and 43.97% were educated up to secondary level. Monthly family income of most (64.67%) of them was above 9000 taka and 58.63% had 1-2 children. Antenatal care was known by 97.42% of respondents, and among them, 34.52% said that it is the care of the mother and child. The maximum respondents (97.35%) were aware of the need of antenatal care, and among them, 60% mentioned that an antenatal checkup was required to determine the health status of baby. About number of minimum antenatal visit, 39.82% women had idea that number of minimum visits should be 4 and 73.45% respondents said that first antenatal visit should take place within 1-3 months of pregnancy. Majority (96.46%) of the respondents were aware that there are some investigations done during antenatal visits and among them, 79.82% respondents said that blood test should be performed during antenatal checkup. Out of 113 women, 87,61% had idea that TT vaccine should be given during ANC and among them, 56.56% said that TT vaccine is administered during pregnancy to protect the child from tetanus. According to the majority (92.04%) of respondents, pregnant women should give birth their child in hospital. The majority of respondents (89.38%) agreed that if they had a problem, they should go to a health center. Knowledge regarding antenatal care, most of the respondents (47.79%) acquired it from health worker.
Key Words: Antenatal Care, Knowledge, Out patient department