Information-seeking in first visit pregnant women in Khayelitsha, South Africa

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Date

2020

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

OpenJournals Publishing AOSIS (Pty) Ltd

Abstract

The quality of the decisions made by women during pregnancy, especially their first visit, depends on their health needs, their health-seeking behaviour and the type of information available to them. Aim: This study describes the health education needs, information barriers and health information-seeking behaviour of pregnant women on their first visit to antenatal clinics in a low-income setting in the Western Cape. Setting: The setting was two antenatal facilities in Khayelitsha Health District facilities in South Africa. Methods: A quantitative descriptive survey was conducted. A systematic random sample of 261 antenatal first visit attendees between May and July 2016 was selected. Data were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire and was analysed using descriptive statistics, 95% confidence intervals and non-parametric tests. Results: The response rate of the study was 92% (n = 240). Pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic for the first time reported high information needs with low health information-seeking behaviours and high information barriers. Doctors, nurses (2.2, ±1.0), family and friends (2.0, ±0.6) were the most frequently used sources of health information, while watching television or listening to the radio (1.5, ±0.9) were the least used sources of health information.

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Keywords

Antenatal care, Antenatal clinic, Health education, Information-seeking behaviour, Low-income setting

Citation

Noncungu, T. M., & Chipps, J. (2020). Information-seeking in first visit pregnant women in Khayelitsha, South Africa. Health SA Gesondheid, 25,a1478, 1-6