Coronavirus disease 2019: Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in Abakaliki, southeast Nigeria. Issue 2 (24th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anikwe, Chidebe C.; Ogah, Christian O.; Anikwe, Ifeyinwa H.; Okorochukwu, Bartholomew C.; Ikeoha, Cyril C.
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. Volume 151:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 197
• Page End: 202
• Publication Date: 2020-07-24
• Subjects: Abakaliki -- Chloroquine -- COVID‐19 -- Knowledge -- Nigeria -- Pregnancy; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618
• DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7292

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of antenatal attendees towards COVID‐19 in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was carried out among 430 consenting pregnant women attending antenatal clinics between March 1 and May 30, 2020, using pretested questionnaires. Results: The mean age and mean gestational age of the respondents were 30.04 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 28.9–31.1) and 26.3 weeks (95% CI 23.3–29.3), respectively. More than four‐fifths (82%) of the women believed that COVID‐19 is real and their main source of information was mass media. The majority had adequate knowledge of COVID‐19. More than half of the respondents said COVID‐19 is a curable disease and that chloroquine can be used. The majority showed a good attitude and preventive practice of COVID‐19 disease; however, one‐fourth (24%) thought that infected individuals should be killed to prevent the spread of the virus. Conclusion: The study population has good knowledge, attitude, and practice of COVID‐19 disease. However, it is worrisome that some respondents thought that infected individuals should be killed. Proper education must be given to the populace to avert these negative attitudes while promoting a positive preventive attitude. The study population has adequate knowledge, good attitude, and preventive practice of COVID‐19; however, community education is needed to reduce anxiety among the populace. Abstract : The study population has adequate knowledge, good attitude, and preventive practice of COVID‐19; however, community education is needed to reduce anxiety among the populace.