Assessment of Pregnant women’s Knowledge and Health Behaviors Concerning Corona Virus Disease Precaution Measures at Primary Health Care Centers in Baghdad City-Iraq

Abstract

Background: Corona virus is one of the major pathogens that mainly target the respiratory system of humans. Pregnant women considered to be a special population group because of the unique ‘immune suppression’ caused by pregnancy. The immunologic and physiologic changes might make pregnant women at higher risk of severe illness or mortality with Covid-19, compared with the general public.

Aims of the study: To assess pregnant women’s knowledge and health behaviors concerning corona virus disease precaution measures at primary health care centers.

Methodology: A descriptive (longitudinal study) has been carried out on Non-probability sample of (150) of pregnant who attend five primary health care centers. Study has been conducted for the period of 8 / February to 18 / March / 2020. The questionnaire has been used as a tool of data collection and consists of; Scio-demographic information, pregnant women history, and pregnant women’s knowledge and health behaviors concerning corona virus disease precaution measures. A pilot study conducted on (15) pregnant women to determine the study reliability, descriptive and inferential statistic approaches are used for data analysis.

Results: The results of the current study indicate that (33.3%) of pregnant women are with age group (21-25) year, (28%) with age group (16-20), and (27.3%) with age group (26 -30) years. (22.7%) of study sample are graduated of intermediate school, (76.7%) of pregnant women are housewives, and (76%) of pregnant women are moderate monthly income, (34.7%) of pregnant women are gravid for (3) times, (81.4%) have (1-2) births, (53.3%) of pregnant women reporting they have normal vaginal delivery, Regarding women's knowledge the results indicates that pregnant women have fair level of knowledge about mechanism of spread of corona virus in (52.7%), and (28.7%) are showing good level of knowledge, and (18.7%) have poor levels. Regarding health behaviors pregnant women are showing fair level toward reduction of corona virus spread in (53.3%), (28%) have good level, and (18.7%) poor level.

Conclusion: The study concludes that more than half of pregnant women have fair level of knowledge about mechanism of spread of corona virus, and health behaviors toward reduction of corona virus spread.

Recommendations: The study suggests Health education programs to improve pregnant women's knowledge concerning COVID-19 are helpful for encouraging an optimistic attitudes and maintaining safe practices.