Knowledge and Perception of Women towards danger signs in pregnancy in Choma District
type: CreativeWork
description: Pregnancy is usually an exciting time in the life of a family. It is a joyous event for most families as they anticipate bringing new life on earth. Sometimes a pregnant woman may experience signs and symptoms which signal danger. Danger signs in pregnancy are those signs that a pregnant woman will see, or those symptoms that she will feel which indicate that something is going wrong with her or with the pregnancy. Recognition of danger signs in pregnancy by pregnant women and their communities is the essential first step in accepting appropriate and timely referral to obstetric and newborn care. This can in turn help reduce maternal mortality as women will seek medical care on time.The aim of this study was to determine knowledge and perception of women about danger signs in pregnancy. The study was conducted in Choma rural district. A cross-sectional, descriptive study design with both qualitative and quantitative approach was used. The study population was the women of child bearing age residing in Choma rural district who had given birth before or those who were pregnant at the time of the study. A sample of 186 respondents was systematically sampled from 3 villages at Mapanza health center catchment population. Two Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted at the health center. Interview schedules and focus group discussion guide were used to collect data for a period of one month.Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package in Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 software, and data were presented using frequency tables, pie charts, histograms and cross-tabulations. Data from open ended questions were categorized, coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Data from closed ended questions was coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Chi square test was used to test for associations between independent and dependent variables. FGDs were analyzed by content analysis and the most useful information that emerged from the discussions was …
abstract: Pregnancy is usually an exciting time in the life of a family. It is a joyous event for most families as they anticipate bringing new life on earth. Sometimes a pregnant woman may experience signs and symptoms which signal danger. Danger signs in pregnancy are those signs that a pregnant woman will see, or those symptoms that she will feel which indicate that something is going wrong with her or with the pregnancy. Recognition of danger signs in pregnancy by pregnant women and their communities is the essential first step in accepting appropriate and timely referral to obstetric and newborn care. This can in turn help reduce maternal mortality as women will seek medical care on time.The aim of this study was to determine knowledge and perception of women about danger signs in pregnancy. The study was conducted in Choma rural district. A cross-sectional, descriptive study design with both qualitative and quantitative approach was used. The study population was the women of child bearing age residing in Choma rural district who had given birth before or those who were pregnant at the time of the study. A sample of 186 respondents was systematically sampled from 3 villages at Mapanza health center catchment population. Two Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted at the health center. Interview schedules and focus group discussion guide were used to collect data for a period of one month.Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package in Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 software, and data were presented using frequency tables, pie charts, histograms and cross-tabulations. Data from open ended questions were categorized, coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Data from closed ended questions was coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Chi square test was used to test for associations between independent and dependent variables. FGDs were analyzed by content analysis and the most useful information that emerged from the discussions was …
author: Sianchapa, Brenda Nambala
language: en
keywords: Danger Signs in pregnancy, Knowledge, Perceptions, Women
date published: 2012-02-17
date modified: 2026-07-27T22:06:58Z
provider: University of Zimbabwe
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Zimbabwe