STUDY ON ANTENATAL CARE PACKAGE'S IMPACT ON PRIMIGRAVIDA WOMEN'S KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE IN DEHRADUN, UTTARAKHAND

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Each year, approximately 330,000 women die from pregnancy-related issues, with 20% of these deaths in India. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surrounding antenatal check-ups (ANC) is crucial for public healthcare, as ANC plays a pivotal role in reducing infant and maternal mortality. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Antenatal Care Package (ANCP) on primigravida women regarding ANC and its correlation with sociodemographic factors. Methods:  Using a quantitative approach, 65 primigravida mothers were selected during antenatal OPD visits for a pre-test and post-test design. Data were collected using pretested tools consisting of socio-demographics, a knowledge questionnaire, attitude, and a practice scale on various ANC domains. Statistical analysis included the Non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test and Spearman's rho test with p < 0.05 denoting significance. Results: The study demonstrated a substantial average increase of 7.07 in knowledge scores (z-score: 7.875, p-value: 0.001), 2.89 in attitude scores (z-score: 6.088, p-value: 0.001), and 10.81 in practice scores (z-score: 7.625, p-value: 0.001) post-intervention, confirming its effectiveness. Positive associations were found between knowledge and attitude (ρ = 0.728), knowledge and practice (ρ = 0.507), and practice and attitude (ρ = 0.463). Significant relationships were also noted between KAP scores and demographic factors like age, education, and spouse, underscoring their impact on primigravida women's KAP scores in antenatal care. Conclusion: The study concludes that the ANCP effectively enhances awareness, improves attitudes, and enhances behavioral practices concerning antenatal care. It suggests regular training sessions and reinforcements to sustain improvement in antenatal care practices among primigravida women.