Abstract:
Increased knowledge and awareness of pregnant women on pregnancy related risk is essential to
prevent maternal death. Two third of pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic nationally and
one third in Addis Ababa region were not informed on pregnancy danger signs and about available
hospital referral system while attending the service.
Objective: To assess Awareness and Practice on pregnancy related complications among
pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Addis Ababa.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study conducted among pregnant women in Addis Ababa. Stratified sampling
and then simple random sampling was used. Pre-tested structured written questionnaire used to
collect data. Data entered and cleaned using EPI INFO 3.5.1 statistical software and exported to
SPSS version 16.0 for analysis.
Results:
Only two third (68.6%) was informed on pregnancy related complications during their ANC visits.
Clients attended at public health facilities for antenatal care were eight times more informed than
those who had follow up on private health facilities.
Conclusion /Recommendation
The study results showed that antenatal care service providers as whole and private clinics in
particular do not routinely provide information and advice to antenatal care clients on pregnancy
complications as part of antenatal care. In order a pregnant women to make timely decisions for
seeking care when a complication arises every antenatal care service providers should inform each
client on pregnancy related danger signs at her early first antenatal visit.
