CHAPTER THREE
Research Methodology
Introduction
This chapter presents the methods and procedures that will be used to carry out the study on the
effectiveness of antenatal education on pregnancy outcomes and maternal health among
primigravid women. It outlines the research design, study area, population, sample size,
sampling technique, data collection tools, and methods of analysis.
Research Design
This study will use a descriptive survey design to assess the effectiveness of antenatal education
on pregnancy outcomes and maternal health among primigravid women. The study design
according to Hussain, M. A. (2015) can be used to investigate events as it occurs in their natural
setting. A study on antenatal education and pregnancy outcomes was done by Fowler, C.,
Wilson, V., Lee, A., & Homer, C. S. E. (2020) and they used the above design, therefore the
research deemed fit appropriate in investigating in the research study.
Setting (study area)
The study will be conducted at Bishop Shanahan Specialist Hospital, a missionary-owned health
facility located in Nsukka urban Enugu, Nigeria. It is located at Nsukka local government area,
bounded in the east by Udenu local government, by north by Igbo-Etiti local government by west
by Uzo-Uwani local government area. Nsukka urban is made up of nine communities which
includes Mbuke, Amukwa, Owereani, Achara, Nguru, Isiakpu Ugwuoye and Umuabere. Nsukka
urban consist of the following hospital and maternity they are: Bishop Shanahan Hospital,
Micheal Obayi Memorial Hospital, Nsukka Health center, Akulue Memorial, Faith foundation
mission hospital. The researcher carried out her research using Bishop Shanahan Hospital. This
health facility is used because greater number of women attend antenatal clinic there than other
clinic around the study area.
Target Population
The target population for this study consists of all primigravid women attending antenatal clinic
at Bishop Shanahan specialist hospital for a month through the attendance register, in all they
250 primigravid women. The target population was carried out to examine the effectiveness of
antenatal education on pregnancy outcomes and maternal health among primigravid women in
Bishop Shanahan specialist hospital Nsukka, Enugu.
Sample size and Sample technique
The sample size is a total of two hundred and fifty (250) primigravid women. A sample size
study is the number of people selected from the population to take part in a study. According to
Nwana, O. C. (2000), 40% sample can be used for a population of few hundreds (less than or
equal to 500), 20% for a population of many hundreds (500-1000), 10% for a population of few
thousands (1000-5000), and for 5% for a population of many thousands (5000 and above). 40%
of the population will be used because the sample size is 250 primigravid women, and it falls
under the few hundreds.
40% of few hundreds (according to Nwana)
Sample size =250
Therefore, population to be used is:
40/100 x 250 = 100 primigravid women
Therefore, a sample size of 100 primigravid women was drawn using non probability technique.
Marcus, A. & Thang, H. (2019) due to practical constraints such as targeting only first-time
pregnant women, this study will use judgmental/purposive sampling. Judgmental/purposive
sampling is a form of non-probability sampling regularly used in health research where
participants are selected based on specific characteristics, which are the primigravid women. The
judgmental/purposive sampling was used by the researcher to collect available primigravid
women who came for antenatal.
Instrument for data collection
The main instrument for data collection in this study will be a structured based on the research
questions to draw self-administered questionnaire to help in analysis. The questionnaire will be
divided into 4 sections, sections A, B, C and D that cover: section A, demographic information;
section B, knowledge of antenatal education; section C, pregnancy experiences; and section D,
maternal health outcomes. It will consist of both close-ended and open-ended questions to allow
for precise responses and personal opinions where necessary. It will be written in clear and
simple English to ensure it is easily understood by the respondents.
Validity of instrument
To ensure the validity of the research instrument, the questionnaire will be reviewed by 2
midwifery lecturers in the midwifery department. There feedback will be used to check the
clarity, relevance, and appropriateness of the questions in relation to the study objectives.
Reliability of instrument
The reliability of the instrument will be determined through a pilot test involving 10 primigravid
women who are not part of the main study sample. The data of the pilot will be analyzed using
the Cronbach’s alpha reliability method to measure internal consistency of 0.70 or higher will be
considered acceptable for the instrument to be used in the main study.
Method of data collection
Data will be collected using the validated structured questionnaire during antenatal clinic days at
Bishop Shanahan specialist hospital. After obtaining ethical approval and informed consent, the
researcher will approach the selected primigravid women who meet the inclusion criteria. The
questionnaire will be self-administered to literate participants, while assistance will be provided
for those who may have difficulty reading or understanding the questions. All responses will be
collected on the spot to ensure 100% response rate and reduce loss of data.
Method of data analysis
The data collected will be sorted, coded, and entered into the researcher’s computer using the
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive statistics such as
frequencies, percentages, tables, charts and graphs will be used to summarize demographic data
and responses related to the antenatal education and pregnancy outcomes.
Ethical consideration
The ethical approval of this study was obtained from the project committee of midwifery
department. Each respondent was informed about the purpose of the study, their rights and what
their involvement entails. The respondents gave informed consents and participation was
completely voluntary. Respondents were also assured of confidentiality and no names or
personal identifying information was recorded.