CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Design of the Study
This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design to assess the
knowledge and prevention of danger signs in pregnancy among pregnant women attending
antenatal care (ANC) at Kumbotso Primary Health Care Centre, Kumbotso Local
Government Area, Kano State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey is appropriate for studies
that seek to obtain information on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of a defined
population at a particular point in time without manipulating any variables (Setia, 2021).
The design was considered suitable because it enabled the researcher to collect data directly
from pregnant women regarding their knowledge of danger signs in pregnancy and the
preventive measures they adopted. It is widely used in public health and maternal health
research because it is simple, economical, and provides reliable information for planning
health interventions and evaluating existing health practices (Polit & Beck, 2022).
3.2 Area of the Study
The study was conducted at Kumbotso Primary Health Care Centre located in Kumbotso
Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria. Kumbotso Local Government Area is one of
the forty-four (44) Local Government Areas in Kano State and is predominantly inhabited by
people of Hausa/Fulani ethnic origin. The major occupations of the residents include farming,
trading, artisan work, and civil service (Kano State Ministry of Health, 2024).
Kumbotso Primary Health Care Centre provides comprehensive primary healthcare services
including antenatal care, postnatal care, family planning, immunization, child welfare
services, treatment of common illnesses, health education, and referral services. The facility
serves pregnant women from Kumbotso and neighbouring communities who attend antenatal
clinics for routine maternal healthcare services (National Primary Health Care Development
Agency [NPHCDA], 2023).
The study area was selected because the facility records a relatively high attendance of
pregnant women during antenatal clinic sessions, making it suitable for assessing the
knowledge and prevention of danger signs in pregnancy among pregnant women. In addition,
the researcher considered the accessibility of the facility and the willingness of the
management to permit the conduct of the study (WHO, 2024).
3.3 Population of the Study
The population of the study comprised 300 pregnant women attending antenatal care
(ANC) services at Kumbotso Primary Health Care Centre, Kumbotso Local
Government Area, Kano State, during the study period. The population included all
pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic and were eligible to participate in the
study irrespective of their age, parity, educational status, or gestational age.
Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics constitute the appropriate study population
because antenatal care provides opportunities for health education, counseling, screening, and
early detection of pregnancy-related complications. Women attending ANC are therefore
expected to possess varying levels of knowledge regarding danger signs in pregnancy and the
preventive measures necessary for ensuring safe motherhood (World Health Organization
[WHO], 2024; United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF], 2023).
3.4 Sample Size Determination
The sample size for this study was determined using Yamane’s (1967) formula for
calculating sample size for finite populations:
n=\frac{N}{1+N(e)^2}
Where:
n = Required sample size
N = Population size (300)
e = Level of precision (0.05)
Substituting the values into the formula:
n=\frac{300}{1+300(0.05)^2}
n=\frac{300}{1+300(0.0025)}
n=\frac{300}{1+0.75}
n=\frac{300}{1.75}
n=171.43
The calculated sample size was approximately 171 respondents. Therefore, 171 pregnant
women attending antenatal care services at Kumbotso Primary Health Care Centre were
selected for participation in the study. Yamane’s formula is widely used in survey research
because it provides a scientific and reliable method for determining an adequate sample size
from a finite population (Yamane, 1967; Polit & Beck, 2022).
3.5 Sample and Sampling Techniques
The sample for this study consisted of 171 pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC)
services at Kumbotso Primary Health Care Centre, Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano
State. This sample size was obtained from the total study population using Yamane’s formula
and was considered adequate to provide representative information for the study. A sample is
a subset of the population selected to represent the characteristics of the entire population and
to enable valid conclusions to be drawn from the study findings (Polit & Beck, 2022).
A simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents for the study. This
sampling technique ensured that every pregnant woman attending the antenatal clinic during
the period of data collection had an equal opportunity of being selected to participate in the
study. The technique was chosen because it minimizes selection bias and improves the
representativeness of the sample, thereby increasing the reliability and validity of the study
findings (Setia, 2021).
Eligible pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria and voluntarily consented to
participate in the study were selected until the required sample size of 171 respondents was
attained. This procedure ensured fairness in the selection process and enhanced the credibility
of the data collected (Polit & Beck, 2022).
3.6 Instrument for Data Collection
The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire developed by the
researcher after reviewing relevant literature on maternal health, antenatal care, and danger
signs in pregnancy. The questionnaire was designed in line with the objectives of the study to
obtain information on the knowledge and prevention of danger signs in pregnancy among
pregnant women attending antenatal care services (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024;
Federal Ministry of Health [FMOH], 2023).
The questionnaire consisted mainly of close-ended questions and was divided into four
sections. Section A obtained information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the
respondents, including age, marital status, educational level, occupation, and parity. Section
B assessed respondents’ knowledge of danger signs in pregnancy. Section C focused on
preventive measures adopted during pregnancy, while Section D examined factors
influencing the knowledge and prevention of danger signs in pregnancy among the
respondents (Polit & Beck, 2022).
The use of a structured questionnaire was considered appropriate because it ensured
uniformity in data collection, minimized interviewer bias, and facilitated easy coding,
analysis, and interpretation of the responses. Structured questionnaires are widely used in
descriptive survey studies because they provide standardized information that can easily be
analyzed using descriptive statistics (Polit & Beck, 2022).
3.7 Validation of the Instrument
Validation is the process of determining whether a research instrument measures what it is
intended to measure. It is an essential aspect of research because it enhances the accuracy,
relevance, and credibility of the data collected from the respondents (Polit & Beck, 2022).
To ensure the content validity of the instrument, the draft questionnaire was submitted to the
project supervisor and other experts in the Department of Community Health for critical
examination and review. Their observations, corrections, and suggestions regarding the
relevance, clarity, language, and adequacy of the questionnaire items were carefully
incorporated into the final version before administration. This process ensured that the
questionnaire adequately covered the objectives and research questions of the study (Polit &
Beck, 2022).
3.8 Reliability of the Instrument
Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of a research instrument in measuring the
variables under study. A reliable instrument produces similar results when administered
repeatedly under similar conditions, thereby increasing confidence in the findings obtained
from the study (Polit & Beck, 2022).
To establish the reliability of the instrument, a pilot study was conducted among pregnant
women attending antenatal care services at another Primary Health Care Centre outside the
study area. The purpose of the pilot study was to assess the clarity, consistency, and
suitability of the questionnaire. Based on the responses obtained, necessary modifications
were made before the final administration of the questionnaire to the study participants. This
procedure improved the reliability and effectiveness of the instrument (Setia, 2021).