Reducing Maternal Mortality: Awareness of Danger Signs in Pregnancy

Background: Maternal mortality remains a public health challenge and the Nigerian scenario of very high maternal deaths has remained one of the worst in the world. Delay in seeking care is recognized as an important determinant of the high maternal mortality rates. The clinical features and management of avoidable pregnancy complications that occur in developing countries need to be known. In addition, most pregnancy related complications cannot be predicted; therefore, all pregnant women need adequate information about the danger signs and actions required if a complication should arise.

Objectives: To evaluate the level of awareness of danger signs in pregnancy amongst pregnant women in Port Harcourt.

Methods: A community based survey of 414 pregnant women attending an ultra sound scan centre in Port Harcourt metropolis. Data analysis was by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22.0 and is presented as simple percentages and charts.

Results: Labour lasting longer than 12 hours was not regarded as a danger sign by 44.2% of the women surveyed, just as 34.8% did not know that convulsion was a danger sign. Approximately 33% were unaware that retained placenta was a risk factor for maternal death. Thirty one percent were unaware that a very low blood level was a danger sign in pregnancy and 25.4% did not know that bleeding was a danger sign in pregnancy.

If any of the danger signs were present, 2.9% opted to do nothing, while 8.8% said they would go to a church.

Conclusion: The level of awareness of danger signs in pregnancy amongst pregnant women in Port Harcourt is low. A call for public enlightenment and campaigns on the danger signs in pregnancy is herein advocated.