Prenatal Practices and Pregnancy Outcomes Among Primigravida Mothers in llocos Sur

Abstract

The study determined the prenatal practices and pregnancy outcomes among primigravida mothers in Ilocos Sur. It looked into the significant relationship between the respondents' socio-demographic profile and prenatal practices. Significant relationship between pregnancy outcomes and prenatal practices of primigravida mothers was also determined. The study made use of a descriptive correlational type of research. A questionnaire-checklist formulated by the researchers was the main tool used to gather data. It involved 120 primigravida mothers from selected municipalities of /locos Sur, who were chosen through purposive sampling. Frequency, percentage and simple linear correlation analysis were the statistical tools used to treat the data. Majority of the respondents were 21- 25 years old, single, college graduates, plain housewives, from rural areas, with a monthly family income of Php 5,000 and below, availed of the services of the midwives for prenatal check up, at the rural health unit, once during the first trimester, twice during the second and third trimester, availed of tetanus toxoid immunization, assessment of fetal growth, fundic height measurement, iodine and iron supplementation, physical examination , laboratory examinations, and health education. Most of the respondents did not develop any complications, delivered a full term baby in the hospital through normal spontaneous delivery. Significant relationship existed between civil status and pre-natal practices along preference for health care provider; age and health education classes, occupation and physical assessment and health education classes; income and physical assessment; provision of iodine supplementation and health education: place of residence and tetanus toxoid immunization. A significant relationship also existed between provision of iodine and pregnancy outcome: hemorrhage and type of delivery; hemorrhage and health education classes; anemia and health education classes; preterm birth and abdominal palpation and health education classes. It is, then, recommended that primigravida must be encouraged to follow the desired number ofprenatal visits. Health workers in the RHU should conduct home visits to remind them of the next visits.