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Knowledge, Causes and Effects of Obstetric Emergencies among Pregnant Women In Selected Health Centres in Akure South Local Government, Ondo State
Abstract
Obstetric emergencies are potentially fatal situations that can arise prior to, during, or following childbirth. Approximately 15% of all pregnant women experience significant complications from conception to delivery. According to WHO, obstetric emergencies are the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in developing countries with low literacy rates, poverty, a lack of antenatal care, and inadequate staffing and equipment all contribute to the problem's escalation. This study was designed to assess the knowledge, causes and effects of obstetric emergencies among pregnant women in selected health centres in Akure South Local Government, Ondo state. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted and 105 pregnant women from health centres were recruited for the study using proportionate sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-developed questionnaire which was eventually analyzed with SPSS software using descriptive statistics and Chi square test hypothesis testing. The findings from this study shows that a total number of 57% of the respondents have good knowledge of what obstetrics emergency is while 43% have poor knowledge of it. 53.4% were able to identify the causes of obstetric emergencies while 46.5% could not. 60.5% agreed to obstetric emergencies having effect on the mother while 39.5% disagreed, 65.3% agreed that obstetric emergencies have effect on the fetus while 34.7% disagreed. In addition, P value was less than 0.05 for all hypothesis testing confirming that there is a significant relationship between the ages of the respondents and knowledge of obstetric emergencies among pregnant women. Finally, it is important to adequately health educate women on the various types of obstetric emergencies, the causes and the effect it has on the mother and baby. When they are abreast of the causes of this problem, they will be able to avoid it and be safe.
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