Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Self-care During Pregnancy in Chattogram District of Bangladesh

Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: Self-care during pregnancy is crucial for preventing complications and improving maternal and fetal outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes and practices is essential for strengthening antenatal care. Objective: This study was aimed to assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of self-care during pregnancy among women attending antenatal clinics at a tertiary care hospital in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Methods & Materials: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Chittagong, Bangladesh, from June 2024 to July 2025. A total of 165 pregnant women were included in this study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, maternal history and self-care-related knowledge, attitudes and practices were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Most participants were aged 20–25 years (44.2%) and were housewives (79.4%). Over half of the participants resided in rural areas (52.7%) and 54.5% were multiparous. Awareness of self-care during pregnancy was high (95.8%) and 72.7% of participants attended antenatal care regularly. Positive attitudes toward folic acid supplementation and medication safety were observed in 77.6% and 82.4% of the participants, respectively. However, knowledge of recommended antenatal visits (33.3%) and home-based monitoring, including blood glucose (36.4%) and urine protein testing (20.0%), was limited. Conclusion: Although pregnant women showed favorable awareness and attitudes toward self-care, significant gaps in specific practices remain. Enhancing antenatal counseling with emphasis on practical self-care skills may improve maternal health outcomes.