Publication: Irregular Antenatal Care Attendance among Pregnant Women during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Date
2022
Authors
Maharajan, Meenu
Sen, Kamana
Thapa, Bibechan
Shrestha, Sushmita
Jayaswal, Aradhana
Poudel, Alina
Basnet, Prasnna
Rana, Sunita Rajya Laxmi
Chaudhary, Sneha
Shrestha, Pratistha
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Medical Association
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has made access to antenatal care services difficult, which could lead to serious implications for the health of mothers and fetus. There is limited study regarding its impact on pregnant women. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of irregular antenatal care attendance among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care centre.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among pregnant women attending antenatal care visits at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in a tertiary care centre from 23 July 2021 to 5 September 2021. Ethical approval was granted by the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 077/078/67). Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated.
Results: Among 196 pregnant women, 49 (25%) (18.96-31.06, 95% Confidence Interval) had irregular antenatal care attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions: The prevalence of irregular antenatal care attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic was lower than other studies done in similar settings. Antenatal care is crucial to prevent maternal, fetal morbidity and mortality, hence uninterrupted antenatal care services should be provided even during crisis situation like COVID-19 pandemics.
Description
Meenu Maharajan
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal
Kamana Sen
KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal
Bibechan Thapa
Department of Emergency Medicine, Kirtipur Hospital, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
Sushmita Shrestha
KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal
Aradhana Jayaswal
KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal
Alina Poudel
KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal
Prasnna Basnet
KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal
Sunita Rajya Laxmi Rana
KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal
Sneha Chaudhary
KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal
Pratistha Shrestha
KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal
Kritick Bhandari
KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal
Keywords
Antenatal care, COVID-19, Pregnant women