Abstract

Pregnant women in developing countries have an increased risk for pregnancy-related complications and death and the infants of these mothers have an increased risk for complications during birth or shortly after delivery. However, many of the complications are preventable with appropriate antenatal care (ANC). Antenatal care is a key strategy to improve maternal and infant health. This study was proposed to explore the awareness, attitude, practice of the new antenatal care guidelines among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (ANC) in Surulere area of Lagos State.This study adopted descriptive cross-sectional design and simple convenient sampling technique in trying to understand the views of pregnant women regarding the new guidelines of ANC released in 2016 by the WHO. A forty seven (47) item validated and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The knowledge question was measured on a twenty two point ration scale, respondent perception was measured on a nineteen point rating scale, and attitude and practice of respondents was measured on twenty one point rating scale each. The data was collected, coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).Majority of thestudy respondents are between the age of 26-27years (33.9%) and the least age range falls between 19-24years (8.30%). About 57.8% of respondents have had about 2-3 safely delivered pregnancy. Most of the respondents believe that ANC visit should not be either once, or two, three or four times (98%, 87.9%, & 78.6%) but at least four times or more (47.1%). However, about 18% of respondents feel ANC contacts should be above six times. When asked about the new WHO ANC model, about 96% of respondents do not know about it. This number proved practice of the new policy guideline is low. Of the remaining 4%, only 9.7% knew about it through a conference, most of them (15%) heard about it through a school. In conclusion, Respondents seem to have a relatively fair practice of the antenatal care services however, there is need for immediate and urgent training and education of concerned health care providers on the importance of adhering to the WHO recommended guidelines so as to foster an effective antenatal care services that enables pregnant women have a positive pregnancy experience.