Year: 2023 | Month: November | Volume: 10 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 56-72
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20231108
Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Self-Harm in Pregnancy Among Women Attending Ante-Natal Clinics in South-Western Nigeria
Oluwatobi Emmanuel Adesida1, Temitope Janet Owolawi2, Oyedunni Sola Arulogun3
1,2,3Department of Health Promotion and Education, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Oluwatobi Emmanuel Adesida
ABSTRACT
Self-harm is a major public health concern affecting thousands of women although it is an under-reported and neglected aspect of maternal health particularly in developing countries where there is a paucity of evidence regarding self-harm and it is rarely given attention. This study was a cross sectional quantitative study carried out to investigate the knowledge, attitude and perception of self-harm in pregnancy among 369 women attending antenatal clinics in a government owned hospital in southwest Nigeria. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique from ante natal clinics with the aid of semi-structured questionnaire to elicit information on their socio-demographic, knowledge, perception, and their attitude towards self-harm. Data were entered using SPSS version 25 and were analysed using descriptive and inferential Chi-square statistics at p =0.05. Respondent’s knowledge on self-harm in pregnancy was measured on 7 items and 7-point scale. Knowledge score of <2 was rated as poor and ≥7 was rated as good. Perception of self-harm in pregnancy was measured on 16 items and 16-point scale, score <8 was rated as negative and scores ≥8 was rated as positive. While respondents’ attitude toward self-harm was measured on 11 items and 11-point scale, score <6 was rated as negative and scores ≥6 as positive. Most respondents (85.4%) had a good knowledge of self-harm in pregnancy, good perception of (79.1%) and positive attitude of (85.9%). There should be public awareness and education campaigns on early detection, screening and counselling of pregnant women on the effect and risks of self-harm in pregnancy.
Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Perception, Self-harm, Pregnancy, Hospital, Antenatal
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