ABSTRACT
Background
Antenatal care refers to the care that is given to an expectant mother from the time that pregnancy is
confirmed until the onset of labor. This care enables the promotion of a positive pregnancy outcome.
The components of ANC include: risk identification; prevention and management of pregnancy-related
or concurrent diseases; and health education and health promotion [5]. Recently in 2016, WHO
recommends a minimum of eight ANC contacts during pregnancy.
Method
This study was a hospital base retrospective cross sectional study in the Buea health district. I undertook
a retrospective cross sectional study of 384 pregnant teenagers to get their antenatal care knowledge
and practice in BHD during the period of May 15 to June 20 2021
Results
Pregnant teenage girl had adequate knowledge on antenatal care (57.2%) and had good attitude on
antenatal care (53.9%).
Conclusion
Antenatal care practices increase with increase in knowledge and better understanding on antenatal
care. This show a strong correlation (r2= 0.43, p-value =0.00) between knowledge and practices.
CHAPETR ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
Antenatal care refers to the care that is given to an expectant mother from the time that pregnancy is
confirmed until the onset of labor. This care enables the promotion of a positive pregnancy outcome.
The components of ANC include: risk identification; prevention and management of pregnancy-related
or concurrent diseases; and health education and health promotion [5]. Recently in 2016, WHO
recommends a minimum of eight ANC contacts during pregnancy. [1, 10] The World Health Organization
(WHO) began promoting a new model of ANC for low-income countries, moving away from the
traditional model, developed largely in the West. The updated model, based on ‘reduced but goal-
orientated clinic visits is the so-called ‘focused’ ANC, consisting of (at least) four visits to a health facility
during an uncomplicated pregnancy [7]. The main reasons for not undergoing and avoiding checkups in
adolescent pregnancy are emotional crises, lack of self-esteem, neglect of the future newborn, worry for
the future and depression, lower socioeconomic status, lower education level, husband with lower
education level, life in rural areas, and not being exposed to mass media [2]. Some pregnant teenagers
are reluctant to carry out prenatal care in the early trimester. The negative experience received during a
health examination is the most memorable and hurtful experience. The negative experience comes from
judgmental words and judgmental attitudes from health professionals. The hopes of adolescents in
order to improve the quality of ANC services include health workers who are expected to be able to
interact with patients well so that patients feel comfortable [3]. In Cameroon, 85% of pregnant women
attended at least one ANC Studies has shown that the morbidity and mortality of pregnant woman who
attend antenatal care is reduced compared to women who do not attend antenatal care [4]. Early
initiation of antenatal care visits is an essential component of services to improving maternal and new
born health. The Cameroonian Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2011 indicated that only
34% of pregnant women start antenatal care in the first trimester [5]. Minimum ANC visit 4 times during
pregnancy is divided into 3 periods. 1 time at less than 12 months of pregnancy, 1 time at 24-28 weeks
gestation, and 2 times at 32 and 36 weeks’ gestation [1]. Based on data from USAID [2]. It shows that
out of 28.3% of pregnant women in Indonesia, have their first ANC after 4 months or more. An estimate
of 70000 adolescent mothers die each year world wild because their bodies are not yet physically ready
for motherhood and due to social disadvantages. 2015 reports estimates MMR in Cameroon at 596
maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. In 2015, countries met and put forward a series of goals known
as sustainable development goals (SDGs). SDG 3 calls for the acceleration of current progress in order to
achieve a global MMR of 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in [Link] global reduction of
MMR and a positive pregnancy outcome can only be achieved if the care offered to women during
pregnancy improve and they initiates antenatal care (ANC) early enough[5]
Most studies establish a cause-and-effect relationship between teenage pregnancy and inadequate
antenatal care low birth weight, and preterm birth [10]. On the hand, such a relationship is less obvious
in adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, vaginal instrumental delivery
and postpartum hemorrhage. WHO reported that eight or more contacts for antenatal care can reduce
perinatal deaths by up to 8 per 1000 births when compared to four visits [1].
1.2. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Although WHO recommends that every woman should start antenatal care before 12 weeks of
pregnancy and should a minimum of eight ANC contacts during pregnancy, but many pregnant women
go for their first ANC visit after 12 weeks of pregnancy and have less than eight antenatal contacts. In
Cameroon, 85% of pregnant women attended at least one ANC. Hence this study needed to be looked
at to encourage good antenatal practices and early initiation of antenatal care visits are essential
component of services to improving maternal and new born health
1.3. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The research questions include;
What knowledge do pregnant teenagers have on antenatal care?
What is the practice of pregnant teenager towards antenatal care?
1.4. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
The main objectives of the research is;
To assess the knowledge and practice of pregnant teenagers on antenatal care (ANC) in the Buea Health
District.
The specific objective include;
To assess the knowledge of pregnant teenagers on antenatal care in Buea Health District
To determine the antenatal care practices of a pregnant teenagers in Buea Health District