TITLE:
Women’s Knowledge and Attitudes about Complications during Pregnancy and Childbirth in Guinea
AUTHORS:
Mamadou Dioulde Balde, Aissatou Diallo, Amadou Oury Touré, Anne Marie Soumah, Alpha Oumar Sall, Sadan Camara, Ousmane Balde, Ramata Diallo, Alpha Amadou Barry
KEYWORDS:
Complications, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Knowledge, Attitude, Guinea
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.11 No.10,
October
8,
2021
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Maternal mortality remains a major public health problem in the world. Complications during pregnancy and
childbirth are the main causes of
maternal mortality in low-income countries. It is estimated that 15% of deaths are related to these complications. Studies have shown that women have little or no acquaintance on sign danger and
complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Limited literature exists
on women’s knowledge and attitudes about pregnancy and childbirth’s
complications as well as the barriers for their management, therefore necessity
to carry out this study. Objective: To explore women’s knowledge and
attitudes in the community about complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Method: A qualitative study was conducted in three prefectures of
Guinea. Eighteen focus groups were conducted with women of reproductive age
living in urban and rural areas. Results: Complications during pregnancy
and childbirth are common among pregnant
women in Guinea. Many women have knowledge about various sorts of complications related to pregnancy and
childbirth. These complications were mostly vaginal bleeding, abortions
and maternal mortality. The use of a health facility in case of complications
during pregnancy and childbirth was reported as a major attitude in this study.
Accompanying the woman to the health facility
was another attitude identified. Lack of financial means, the distance
from the health facilities and the lack of means of transport were listed as
barriers to the management of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Conclusion: This study showed that women’s knowledge and attitudes about obstetric
complications are insufficient. To that effect, women counselling during
prenatal consultations on the risks of complications and especially the
identification of sign danger during pregnancy and childbirth is essential to reduce maternal and neonatal
mortality in our less equipped countries.