A Study on the Attitude and Preference of Antenatal Clinic Attendees to Companionship during Labour and Delivery in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki

Abstract

Background: Labour is a stressful physical and psychological experience in a woman's life, requiring optimal coping mechanism. Companionship provides such needed support in this vulnerable moment of women. The presence of a companion of the woman's choice had been noted to have a positive influence on her satisfaction with the birth process. Objectives: To ascertain the attitude of antenatal clinic attendees to companionship in labour and delivery and their preferred companions. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted between 10th June 2016 and 28th July 2016 on 297 antenatal clinic attendees at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. The respondents completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire assessing the attitude of antenatal clinic attendees to companionship in labour and delivery and their preferred companions. The data was analyzed using Epiinfo TM version 7.1.5. Results: A total of 297 pregnant women participated in the study. They were mainly Igbos (93.27%), and Christians (96.97%). Their ages ranged from 18-50 years with most of them between 21-30 years (68.35%). Most of the women had tertiary education (48%), and were unemployed (36.36%). Ninety two percent of the respondents wished for companionship in labour, while 32.66% has had companion in previous delivery(ies). All of the women that had experienced companionship expressed satisfaction with it. Majority of them preferred their Partners/Husbands as companions (47%). Conclusion: Majority of our women were desirous of com