COMMUNITY BASED SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS Maternal and ...

SECTION 2: LEVELS OF AWARENESS OF RISK FACTORS AND SOURCES OF HEALTH
INFORMATION
2.1. Levels of Awareness of Risk Factors
ANC and Delivery: Seventy five percent (75%) of the women interviewed knew that
hypertension and oedema were risk factors. Between 50% and 74% of the women knew that
decreased foetal movement and bleeding were risk factors, whereas less than 20% were
aware that a loss of consciousness, anaemia, shortness of breath and a chronic cough were
risk factors. Twelve percent of women were not aware of any warning signs in pregnancy.
Women on average were only aware of 8 out of the 23 possible signs on the list. (Appendix
A14)
Postpartum - Maternal Risk Factors: Seventy five percent (75%) of the women interviewed
knew that bleeding was a risk factor. Between 50% and 74% knew that abdominal pain and a
loss of weight were risk factors. Less than 20% knew that seizures, loss of consciousness,
anaemia, shortness of breath and a chronic cough were risk factors. Thirteen percent of
women were not aware of any warning signs associated with postpartum. Women could only
identify an average of 6 out of the 18 possible signs on the list. (Appendix A15)
Infant Risk Factors: More than 75% of the women interviewed knew that chronic diarrhoea
was a risk factor. Between 50% and 57% knew that an umbilical infection and inability to feed
were risk factors. Less than 20% knew that seizures and a loss of consciousness were risk
factors. Eight percent of women were not aware of any warning signs in infants. Women could
only identify an average of 8 of the 18 possible signs on the list. (Appendix A16)
Household Members – Knowledge of risk factors associated with pregnancy and birth:
More than 75% of the household members interviewed knew that hypertension and oedema
were a risk factor. Between 50 % and 74% knew that bleeding was a risk factor. Less than
20% knew that a poor outcome for a previous pregnancy’ seizures, chronic cough, multiple
pregnancy, obstructed labour, incision infection and mastitis were risk factors. Four percent of
household members were not aware of any warning signs in pregnancy, birth or in the first
month after birth, and household members only knew an average of 8 of the 27 possible signs
on the list. (Appendix A17).
2.2. Sources of Health Information
Where did you learn about problems or warning signs in pregnancy? Almost three
quarters of mothers learned about warning signs in pregnancy from either the clinic or the
hospital, suggesting that health care providers are the single biggest source of information
related to pregnancy risks. In Paarl and Umlazi a quarter of the women interviewed also got
information from friends or other people. When asked "What should a woman do if she has
any of these health problems or warning signs?" Ninety eight percent (98%) of women replied
that the woman should go to a clinic, hospital or doctor to be seen. None of the women
suggested seeing a traditional healer or traditional birth attendant. (Appendix A11)
Sources of Health Information on Pregnancy: As can be seen in Graph 3 and Appendix
A12, the predominant source of information on pregnancy risks at each of the three sites was
the health workers. This varied from 98% at Rietvlei, to 90% at Umlazi and 85% at Paarl. It is
interesting to note that Rietvlei as the most rural area relied most heavily on health workers as
Community Based Situation Analysis: Maternal & Neonatal Follow-up Care 14