Level of knowledge about antenatal educational issues among pregnant women in primary health care centers in Nablus

Supervisor :

Miss. Raheega Awni

Abstract :

Background: Antenatal education is considered a key strategy in promoting the health of child bearing women. Antenatal education represents a significant effort for women and families and significant cost to maternity services and therefore  requires careful evaluation. Antenatal education promotes dependency and coercion into compliance with hospital policies and procedures and often deprives women of freedom and choice.
 
In appropriate quality and quantity of antenatal education is given to pregnant women in the primary health care centers in the North-West Bank.
 
Aims : To assess level of knowledge about antenatal issues among pregnant women.
 
Setting: The study took place in the UNRWA primary health care clinics in Nablus  from September to November .
 
Sample: participants included were 100 pregnant woman.
 
Research methodological design: A descriptive quantitative study will be conducted. A structured  questionnaire will be prepared. Convenience sample of 100 pregnant women who attend antenatal classes, to answer questionnaire, 20 minute is the time will be given for women.
 
Results: A total of 100 pregnant women  were included in the study, the study  findings showed that  the  total  level of knowledge in the pregnant women was poor  about antenatal issues.  89%  of pregnant women have good knowledge  about labor and birth, 72% of  pregnant women  have a good knowledge  about nutritional needs  during pregnancy ,  by contrast, knowledge about exercise  96% of women  have  poor  knowledge. However , breast feeding has the highest  percentage of knowledge in the pregnant women  "100%, in addition to this percentages , 75% of the participants have a satisfactory  level of knowledge about antenatal education.
 
Conclusion: Pregnant women knowledge  regarding antenatal  education overall was poor among Palestinian women, especially in the west bank . Lack of information  about antenatal issues  due to lack of educational programs, and  the reduced number of qualified and trained midwives,  these factors affect satisfaction of pregnant women  toward antenatal education .