Knowledge Attitude and Practices of Pregnant Women Attending Comprehensive Health Centre, Isolo, Ondo State towards Hygienic Practice

Abstract

The study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices of pregnant women attending the Comprehensive Health Centre, Isolo, Ondo state Nigeria towards hygienic practice. A descriptive research design was utilized. The study was conducted at the antenatal clinic of the Comprehensive Health Centre, Isolo, Ondo state, Nigeria.  A sample size of one hundred and twenty (120) at 4 percent error (5 more respondents) to accommodate for attrition rate was gotten by using Germany's rule. Accidental, convenience sampling technique was adopted. One Hundred and twenty-five (125) questionnaires were distributed, 50 each for three consecutive weeks of antenatal appointments. The instrument for data collection adopted for this study was a self-designed questionnaire consisting of closed-ended questions. One hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were retrieved. Data collected were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 22), same were presented and summarized through the use of tables and charts. Pearson chi-square goodness of fit test was used to test the two null hypothesis, both of which were accepted. This suggested there was no significant statistical relationship between the variables tested. The implication was that parity and the knowledge of pregnant women had no significant impact or influence on their practice of hygiene. Although the result indicated a high level of knowledge but a little disparity in the attitude and practice, though considerably high too. It was deduced that hygienic practices do not involve just one aspect of personal cleanliness but rather a collection of careful behaviors and practices to maintain safety and prevent the spread of disease especially in handling what stays on our body and what goes in. It was suggested that nurses, midwives, and other health care providers must ensure that pregnant women are health educated on the several ways to keep themselves free from infection during pregnancy. This will be best achieved during ante-natal clinics, children clinics as well as when they visit the hospitals.