Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Antenatal Care among Rural Women in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is tremendously important for detecting and treating complications that could jeopardize the lives of women and their fetuses. Objective: to examine the relationship between knowledge, attitude and practice towards antenatal care among rural women in Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted at Upzilla Health Complex (UHC) in Bangladesh among 102 pregnant women, selected by convenience sampling technique. Data were collected by structured questionnaire and it was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The result indicates that 73% of participants had correct answers in total knowledge regarding ANC, 72% had a positive attitude and 63.6% of them had practice towards overall antenatal care. Some sociodemographic characteristics including education (F =13.98, p =.00) were significantly associated with knowledge; transport (t = -2.79, p =.00) and past obstetrical history of complication (F = 4.30, p = .01) was significantly associated with attitude; monthly family income (r = .29, p = .00) was significantly associated with practice. The study also revealed that a statistically highly significant correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = .255, p = .010), knowledge and practice (r = .561, p = .000), as well as attitude and practice (r = .403, p = .000). Conclusion: The study concluded that almost half of the participants had good knowledge, more than two-thirds had a positive attitude and nearly eighteen percent to more than one-third of participants had good to moderate practice, however less than half of them had poor practice. More education and counselling sessions focused on ANC which relies on evidence- based interventions provided to women during ANC visits by skilled nurses and midwives.