Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pregnancy-related health problems among pregnant women in Tiznit, Morocco

A cross-sectional study in public health facilities

Autor

  • Ahmed Ouaamr Mohammed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmacodynamics Research Team ERP, BP 6203 Rabat, Morocco https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8694-8887
  • Yassine Elaouad Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Tiznit, Morocco
  • Omar Essahel Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Tiznit, Morocco
  • Mohamed Elghamri Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Tiznit, Morocco
  • Maryama Bou-Iselmane Mohammed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medico-Surgical Sciences, Health and Nutrition Research Team of the Mother–Child Couple, Rabat, Morocco
  • Hanane Sadki Ibn Zohr University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Medical and Biomedical Sciences, Kidney, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Neurosciences and Ethics (REGNE) research laboratory, Agadir, Morocco https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6957-2499
  • Katim Alaoui Mohammed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmacodynamics Research Team ERP, BP 6203 Rabat, Morocco https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8106-1400

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55225/hppa.740

Słowa kluczowe:

pregnancy, maternal health, knowledge, attitudes, practices, antenatal care

Abstrakt

Introduction: Pregnancy-related complications remain a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where maternal health literacy may be limited. Adequate knowledge, positive attitudes and appropriate practices (KAP) during pregnancy are essential to prevent avoidable maternal and neonatal complications. This study assessed KAP regarding pregnancy-related health problems among pregnant women in Tiznit, Morocco, and explored associated socio-demographic and obstetric factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 27 April to 13 May 2025 among pregnant women attending antenatal consultations in public health facilities in Tiznit. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics and KAP. Knowledge was scored from 0 to 10, with scores ≥5 classified as good knowledge. Attitudes and practices were considered positive/good when ≥50% of responses were favourable. Associations were analysed using χ² tests and multivariable logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Forty pregnant women participated. Most were aged 18–28 years (52.5%), lived in urban areas (80.0%), were housewives (92.5%) and had no formal education (42.5%). Good knowledge was observed in 25.0% of participants, whereas 75.0% demonstrated poor knowledge. In contrast, attitudes and practices were predominantly positive/ good (92.5%). Secondary education was independently associated with higher odds of good knowledge (adjusted OR 6.72; 95% CI 1.02–44.38).

Conclusions: Poor maternal knowledge was common despite favourable attitudes and practices. Strengthening structured antenatal education, particularly for women with low educational attainment, is essential to improve maternal health literacy and prevent pregnancy-related complications.

Statystyka pobrań

Statystyki pobrań nie są jeszcze dostępne

Blondin JH, LoGiudice JA. Pregnant women’s knowledge and awareness of nutrition. Appl Nurs Res. 2018;41:89-95. doi: 10.1016/j.apnr.2017.11.020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2017.11.020   Google Scholar

World Health Organization. WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2016. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549912.   Google Scholar

Alamirew SK, Lemke S, Freyer B, Stadlmayr B. Dietary behaviour of pregnant women in Ethiopia: The missing aspect of care. Nutrients. 2024;16(19):3227. doi: 10.3390/nu16193227. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193227   Google Scholar

Chen S, Lin X, Wang M, et al. Research on the status and influencing factors of maternal health literacy among postpartum women in urban villages. J Adv Nurs. 2025;81(1):499-512. doi: 10.1111/jan.16379. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.16379   Google Scholar

Say L, Chou D, Gemmill A, et al. Global causes of maternal death: A WHO systematic analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2014;2(6):e323-e333. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(14)70227-X. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(14)70227-X   Google Scholar

Haut-Commissariat au Plan. Enquête nationale sur la population et la santé familiale 2018. Rabat: Haut-Commissariat au Plan; 2019. https://www.unicef.org/morocco/media/1626/file/Enquête Nationale sur La Population et la Santé Familiale (ENPSF-2018).pdf.   Google Scholar

Ministère de la Santé du Maroc. Rapport sur la santé maternelle et néonatale. Rabat: Direction de la Population; 2021.   Google Scholar

World Medical Association. World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. JAMA. 2013;310(20):2191-2194. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.281053. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.281053   Google Scholar

Mahamoud NK, Mwambi B, Oyet C, et al. Prevalence of anemia and its associated socio-demographic factors among pregnant women attending an antenatal care clinic at Kisugu Health Center IV, Makindye Division, Kampala, Uganda. J Blood Med. 2020;11:13-18. doi: 10.2147/JBM.S231262. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/JBM.S231262   Google Scholar

Bashir S, Ansari AH, Sultana A. Knowledge, attitude and practice on antenatal care among pregnant women and its association with sociodemographic factors: A hospital-based study. J Patient Exp. 2023;10:23743735231183578. doi: 10.1177/23743735231183578. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735231183578   Google Scholar

Aziz Ali S, Aziz Ali S, Feroz A, Saleem S, Fatmai Z, Kadir MM. Factors affecting the utilization of antenatal care among married women of reproductive age in rural Thatta, Pakistan: Findings from a community-based case-control study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020;20(1):355. doi: 10.1186/s12884-020-03009-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03009-4   Google Scholar

Afulani PA, Diamond-Smith N, Golub G, Sudhinaraset M. Development of a tool to measure person-centered maternity care in developing settings: Validation in a rural and urban Kenyan population. Reprod Health. 2017;14:118. doi: 10.1186/s12978-017-0381-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-017-0381-7   Google Scholar

Essam N, Khafagy MA, Alemam DS. Health literacy of pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Mansoura district, Egypt. J Egypt Public Health Assoc. 2022;97(1):24. doi: 10.1186/s42506-022-00119-z. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42506-022-00119-z   Google Scholar

Osman WA, Abdullahi AAM, Ahmed HM, Osman KA, Abdiwali AA, Hussein AM. Factors affecting antenatal care attendance among pregnant women in Mogadishu, Somalia. SAGE Open Nurs. 2025;11:23779608251391489. doi: 10.1177/23779608251391489. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608251391489   Google Scholar

Smith HJ, Portela A, Marston CA. Improving implementation of health promotion interventions for maternal and newborn health. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017;17(1):280. doi: 10.1186/s12884-017-1450-1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-017-1450-1   Google Scholar

Kuhnt J, Vollmer S. Antenatal care services and its implications for vital and health outcomes of children: Evidence from 193 surveys in 69 low-income and middle-income countries. BMJ Open. 2017;7(11):e017122. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017122. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017122   Google Scholar

Woldeamanuel GG, Lemma G, Zegeye B. Knowledge of obstetric danger signs and its associated factors among pregnant women in Angolela Tera District, Northern Ethiopia. BMC Res Notes. 2019;12(1):606. doi: 10.1186/s13104-019-4639-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4639-8   Google Scholar

Attanasio LB, Ranchoff BL, Paterno MT, Kjerulff KH. Person-centered maternity care and health outcomes at 1 and 6 months postpartum. J Womens Health. 2022;31(10):1411-1421. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2021.0643. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2021.0643   Google Scholar

Bolanko A, Namo H, Minsamo K, Addisu N, Gebre M. Knowledge of obstetric danger signs and associated factors among pregnant women in Wolaita Sodo town, South Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study. SAGE Open Med. 2021;9:20503121211001161. doi: 10.1177/20503121211001161. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121211001161   Google Scholar

Mattison DR, Zajicek A. Gaps in knowledge in treating pregnant women. Semin Perinatol. 2006;30(4):204-208. doi: 10.1016/S1550-8579(06)80205-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1550-8579(06)80205-6   Google Scholar

Opublikowane

2026-05-30

Jak cytować

Ouaamr, A., Elaouad, Y., Essahel, O., Elghamri, M., Bou-Iselmane, M., Sadki, H., & Alaoui, K. (2026). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pregnancy-related health problems among pregnant women in Tiznit, Morocco: A cross-sectional study in public health facilities. Health Promotion & Physical Activity, 33(4), 23–32. https://doi.org/10.55225/hppa.740

Numer

Dział

Artykuł oryginalny