Evaluating the knowledge, awareness of, and the response to danger signs in pregnancy amongst pregnant women in the West Coast District

Background: Recognition of obstetric danger signs is essential for timely health-seeking behaviour and the prevention of maternal morbidity and mortality. While antenatal care (ANC) provides opportunities for health education, women’s knowledge, perceptions, and responses to pregnancy-related danger signs remain variable and are influenced by socio-cultural and systemic factors. The Health Belief Model (HBM), which posits that health actions are influenced by perceptions of risk, benefits, and barriers, provides a framework for understanding pregnant women’s knowledge and behaviour. This study evaluated pregnant women’s knowledge of obstetric danger signs, risk perceptions, and responses in the West Coast District of South Africa. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted across ten randomly selected public ANC clinics. Two facilities were selected from each of the five sub-districts. Systematic random sampling was used, selecting every second eligible patient until facility quotas were met. Data were collected using a structured, adapted Safe Motherhood Questionnaire and analysed descriptively to assess knowledge, perceptions, and responses to danger signs. Results: Among 185 participants (median age 28 years), awareness of vaginal bleeding as a danger sign was high (87%), but knowledge of other signs, including blurred vision, high fever, and reduced foetal movement, was lower. Most (62%) perceived danger signs as life-threatening. Despite advice from healthcare providers, discussion within the community was limited. Among those experiencing danger signs, 37% did not seek care, citing lack of recognition or perceived necessity, with barriers including distance, transport, and socio-cultural factors. Conclusion: Knowledge of key obstetric danger signs is encouraging, but knowledge gaps and barriers to timely care persist. Strengthening comprehensive antenatal education and addressing structural and socio-cultural barriers is critical to improving maternal health outcomes.

Grantor dc:publisher

Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Le Roux, Adelade

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Motsohi, Ts'epo

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/136220

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/136220