Evaluation of correct knowledge of key danger signs in pregnancy among antenatal clinic attendees at a tertiary health facility in Nigeria

Context: Test of knowledge of pregnant women on key danger signs as a marker to assess the quality of information shared during health education at the antenatal clinic (ANC) is desirable. Aim: The aim was to assess correct knowledge of danger signs among pregnant women who attend ANC. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional design conducted among pregnant women at the ANC of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A pretested structured questionnaire that contains sociodemographics, past obstetrics history, and a list of test questions to assess correct knowledge of danger signs was administered to each consenting participant. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. The knowledge score of key danger signs in pregnancy (KDSP) was measured on a scale of 0-7 and participants were scored as having poor (0-2), fair (3-4), or good (5-7) knowledge. The reliability of the questionnaire to assess knowledge score was determined with Cronbach's alpha. Statistical significance was set 5%. STATA 12.0 Software was used. Results: The mean age of respondents was 30.28 ± 4.56 with the majority (75.1%) of respondents aged 26-35 years. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.871. In general, the knowledge score was good and the associated factors on bivariate analysis were younger age (P = 0.028), Islamic religion (P = 0.048), ethnicity (P = 0.03), professional occupation (P = 0.01), and previous attendance of health talk on KDSP (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: There was a high knowledge score of KDSP, but some still have some misconceptions that need to be addressed.