Correlates of knowledge on birth defects and associated factors among antenatal mothers in Galle, Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional analytical study

Abstract

BackgroundBirth defects (BD) are considered a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Personal, cultural, and health care system barriers may increase the incidence of BD in low and middle income countries. In this study we assessed the knowledge of antenatal mothers on BD, associated factors, and prevention and management.MethodsThree hundred and fifty (350) antenatal mothers were surveyed using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. The knowledge on BD was evaluated under 3 categories; knowledge on BD, knowledge on associated factors, and knowledge on prevention and management. The total scores were calculated for each category and converted into percentages. A higher percentage score indicates a high level of knowledge. Descriptive statistics and regression models were used for data analysis. Level of significance was considered as p < 0.05.ResultsMean age of the participants was 28.7 years (SD = 5.2). The age range was 17–44 years. Most of the participants (79%) had studied up to secondary or tertiary education. The average scores of knowledge on BD, associated factors, and prevention and management of BD were 57.6% (95% CI = 52.3–62.9%), 55.1% (95% CI = 49.8–60.4%) and 58.8% (95% CI = 53.5–64.1%) respectively. The average score on the overall total knowledge was 56.4% (95% CI = 51.1–61.7%). Mother’s level of education, monthly income of the family and number of clinic visits made by the mother were found to be positively associated with the overall knowledge. About 62% of the participants had taken folic acid (FA) preconceptionally, a major preventive factor of BD associated with the nervous system. Folic acid intake was positively associated with age and educational level, but negatively associated with parity. Media (36.9%) and Public Health Midwives (PHMs) (20%) were found to be the major sources of knowledge on BD, associated factors and prevention in this target group.ConclusionsThe average overall knowledge on BD in this group of antenatal mothers was moderate. Thus, there is a need to improve the knowledge in eligible women to reduce the occurrence of BD, ideally before they become pregnant. Media and PHMs were seem to be the effective and possible resources that can be used to educate the community on BD, associated factors and prevention of BD in Sri Lanka.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-018-2163-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effectiveness of Folic Acid Supplementation Recommendations among Polish Female Students from the Podkarpackie Region

“…Since measures that involve recommendations for folic acid supplementation in the preconception period are insufficient and contribute to health inequalities, it is necessary to introduce food fortification because the incidence of neural tube defects has not decreased in Europe [ 17 , 20 , 53 ]. The results of research from many countries show that programmes recommending folic acid supplementation have failed, and such factors, as the young age of the mother, unplanned pregnancy, lower levels of education, and the lack of a partner, significantly correlate with the lack of appropriate supplementation practices [ 11 , 17 , 35 , 54 ].…”

“…Over several years, many studies have corroborated that preconception supplementation with folic acid reduces the risk of developing neural tube defects (e.g., anencephaly, spina bifida) [ 1 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. NTDs are congenital malformations that originate during early embryonic development when the neural tube fails to close completely, which results in perinatal mortality or disabilities; thus, they constitute an important problem in public health on a global level [ 5 , 10 , 11 ]. The key aspect of active NTD prevention is the period in which folic acid supplementation is introduced.…”

Correlates of knowledge of genetic diseases and congenital anomalies among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Lagos, South-West Nigeria

“…This was examined by the response given to the question of willingness to test among respondents. An interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from previous studies [ 1 , 3 ] was used to collect data and included both closed and open-ended questions divided into three sections. The questionnaire was pretested before use on women attending antenatal clinic at another health facility.…”

“…Genetic diseases and congenital anomalies are a recognised public health problem because of the huge morbidity and mortality rates associated with them [ 1 - 4 ]. The deaths of about 303,000 neonates each year worldwide have been attributed to birth defects and about 7.9 million children are born with serious birth defects [ 1 ]. The children who survive go on to face higher chances of physical, cognitive and social disabilities all through life which place huge financial, emotional, psychological and social burdens on their families.…”

“…Low- and middle-income countries have been reported to have the highest prevalence and burden of serious birth defects with an attending 95% mortality rates among affected children [ 1 , 3 ]. Several studies have reported a range of prevalence of birth defects from 0.5% prevalence of orofacial clefts and 0.7% prevalence of cervical ribs to 6.9% prevalence of external congenital birth defects in South-West Nigeria [ 2 , 11 - 18 ].…”