Attitude and knowledge of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at St. Luke's Hospital, Anua in Uyo, Nigeria towards congenital anomalies

Abstract

Context: The birth of a congenitally abnormal child is an event that affects all the family members, and both their internal and external relationships.
Objective: To know the attitude and knowledge of women visiting an antenatal clinic in Uyo, Nigeria on congenital anomaly.
Study Design: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study using structured questionnaire with a sample population consisting of 600 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at St Luke's Hospital, Anua in Uyo, Nigeria.
Results: The attitude of respondents towards children with birth defect was that of pity, 286 (47.7%); resentment, 28(4.7%); and wanting to help, 243 (40.5%). The attitude of respondents in helping their children with birth defect was mostly to seek medical help, 505 (86.6%); 76 (13.0%) would seek spiritual help, while 2 (0.4%) would abandon the child. In addition to this 513 (87.7%) will feel bad if they had a child with birth defect. Their knowledge of the causes of congenital anomally was good: maternal intake of non prescribed drugs, maternal intake of herbal medication, maternal infection during pregnancy, failed attempted abortion (ranging from 59.2% to 81.2%); except for that of environmental pollution/radiation (48.8%), which was poor and spiritual attack (56.7%), which was wrong. Most respondents, 531 (88.5%) believed that congenital anomally is a big burden to parents
Conclusion: More public enlightenment was advocated to help parents prevent/cope better with the consequences of having children with congenital anomalies, as proper understanding of parent's attitude is necessary for the success of treatment and proper rehabilitation.