Knowledge and Practices about Obstetric Danger Signs among Pregnant Women: A Case Study in Dhaka

Abstract: One of the major causes of the death of women is due to maternal mortality. About 300 million women in developing countries suffer from short and long-term illnesses due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. About 529,000 mothers die each year from maternal causes, out of which 99% of deaths are in the developing world. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge regarding obstetric danger signs among pregnant women attending at Gynaeoutpatient department and Antenatal ward, UttaraAdhunik Medical College Hospital (UAMCH), Dhaka using a non-probability sampling technique from 1 February to 25 April 2022. A total of 160 pregnant women had given consent and participated in the study.73.8% of respondents were aware of vaginal bleeding as a danger sign during pregnancy, 63.8% stated high blood pressure as a danger sign, 62.5% knew that convulsion was a danger, 46.2% reported that blurred vision being a danger sign, 42.5% mentioned severe headache was a danger sign. 23.75% were found to have good knowledge, 60% had average knowledge and 16.25% had poor knowledge about obstetric danger signs during pregnancy. Excessive vaginal bleeding was the most frequently mentioned obstetric danger sign in all categories, like pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.