Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Pregnant Mothers on Utilization of Antenatal Care Services at Nzara Civil Hospital Nzara County Western Equatoria State, Republic of South Sudan

Abstract

Introduction: This study sought to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices towards antenatal care services in Nzara hospital Western Equatoria in South Sudan. A total 384 pregnant mothers were conveniently selected from Antenatal-care Clinic in Nzara Civil Hospital. South Sudan has the highest infant and maternal mortality rates. Antenatal care is very crucial in assessing, diagnosing and planning for deliveries. Through antenatal care risk mothers are identified and proper planning for their delivery is made. This reduces the infant and maternal mortality. The mothers’ knowledge, attitude and practices towards antenatal care services is crucial in determining the utilization of these services. The specific objectives were as: to determine the knowledge of the pregnant mothers on utilization of Antenatal care services,to asses the attitude of expectant mothers towards utilization of Antenatal care services and to determine the practices of pregnant mothers on utilization of Antenatal care services respectively in Nzara Civil hospital, Nzara County, Western Equatoria State-South Sudan. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study was carried out. A case study at Nzara Civil hospital in South Sudan. A total of 384 respondents participated in the study. A simple random sampling technique was used. Results: A total of 73% respondents did not have a complete package of information about antenatal care services. The majority 63%,of the respondents did not know the meaning of antenatal care and 50% were not certain on the right time to initiate the antenatal care services and 70% had no idea of the frequency of antenatal care services. However 98.2% was had positive attitude towards antenatal care services. A significant proportion of 89 % of the respondents had strong beliefs in the modern antenatal care services in comparison to 17% who believed in the traditional birth attendants. The practices of seeking modern antenatal care services were very high among the respondents. Majority 90% of the respondents said they had attended ANC Services during their term pregnancies compare to 10% who did not. Recommendation and Conclusion: All women should be educated on the importance of antenatal care services. This will only take place when the health workers are empowered with knowledge and adequate motivation to educate the mothers on how antenatal care is vital in every mother and unborn baby . The traditional birth attendance should be educated on the importance of early uptake of ANC services, PMTCT and elimination from mother to child HIV and AIDS. Provision of adequate health workers, the Midwives, Nurses, laboratory technicians and improve on health facilities.