Document Type : Original research
Authors
Department of Clinical Science, College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
Abstract
Background: Maternal mortality remains high in many low and middle-income areas because complications during pregnancy often go unrecognized. This study aimed to assess pregnant women’s knowledge of pregnancy danger signs and identify sociodemographic and obstetric factors linked to their level of awareness.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 355 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Chamchamal. The participants were chosen by simple random sampling. Data collection was accomplished using a structured interview-based questionnaire. Knowledge was deemed good if participants could correctly recall seven or more danger signs.
Results: Among the participants, 42.5% had a good level of knowledge, 48.7% had poor knowledge, and 8.7% were not knowledgeable at all. Approximately 20% had never been informed about danger signs, with healthcare providers serving as the primary source of information. Vaginal bleeding and reduced fetal movement were the most recognized signs, whereas persistent vomiting and swelling of the face or limbs were the least recognized. Knowledge was significantly related to age and number of pregnancies, in contrast to education, occupation, and the frequency of antenatal visits.
Conclusion: Knowledge of pregnancy danger signs among women attending antenatal care was suboptimal. Obvious signs like vaginal bleeding and reduced fetal movements were better recognised than other symptoms. Older and multiparous women knew more, while education, employment, and the number of visits showed no effect.
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