Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has assumed a global health concern since the first case was recorded in Wuhan community China in December 2019. The objective of this paper is to report the level of practice of safety precautions against COVID 19 among pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinics in Central Hospital Benin, Benin City in Nigeria. A self- administered questionnaire on the level of practice of safety precautions against covid19 infection was administered to a total of 420 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in central Hospital Benin City for Data collection. The results showed that two hundred and four (48.6%) of the respondents reported that they have recently avoided crowded places. Three hundred and seventy two (88.6%) reported recently wearing mask whenever they left home. Three hundred and twenty four (77.1%) of the respondents had good practice of safety precautions against COVID19. The study showed a good practice of safety precautions against COVID19 and this was influenced by the women’s level of education, occupation and knowledge of COVID-19. However, there is still the need to improve the knowledge of the women attending antenatal clinic regarding COVID-19 through health education seminars. Also up scaling the practice of safety precautions could be done through such health education seminars.
Keywords: Pregnant women, Practice, Safety precaution, covid-19

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Level of practice of safety precautions against COVID 19 among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in central hospital Benin, Benin City in Nigeria

The study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and perception of Nigerian Military population towards the coronavirus outbreak. A web-based cross-sectional survey was used to collect from 216 data from military officers from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy. Majority of the study sample were males, 88.4% (n = 191) and more than half the respondents were between 21 to 30 years old (50.5%). Also, 82.4% of the sample were graduates and 54.2% married. 82.9% were from Nigerian Army and 57.9% were commissioned officers with 6-10 years’ work experience 49.5 (n=107). Results show that there was no significant correlation between demographic factors of gender, age, military type, religion, education and marital status and knowledge of COVID-19 (p>.05). Results further show that there was no significant correlation between demographic factors and perception of COVID-19 (p>.05), meaning there was no significant difference in perception of COVID-19 based on demographic factors. Finally, the results showed that there was no significant correlation between demographic factors and attitude to COVID-19 (p>.05).  Irrespective of gender or age for example, knowledge, attitude, and perception of COVID-19 was good among the military population. Despites high level of awareness among the study population, it was recommended that the military authorities in Nigeria further strengthen their health systems, as well as the knowledge of infectious diseases and pandemics which will help them to assist the government and in educating the general populace through their military-civilian interface.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Perception in Regard to COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigerian Military Population

Novel Corona virus (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic in 2020. In less than 60 days, the virus has rapidly spread across the globe. This is faster than any infectious disease in human history. Although similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in terms of symptoms, COVID-19 is deadlier. Governments around the world alongside WHO are working to reduce if not break the chain of transmission. In this study, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of general public and Health Care Professionals (HCPs) in Yobe State, Northeastern, Nigeria were assessed to understand the nature of compliance to WHO guidelines through online questionnaires. It was established that 100% of HCPs have knowledge of COVID-19, its mode transmission and preventive measures. However, 89.6% of respondents (general public) have heard of the disease and are complying with government and the WHO guidelines on preventive measures. The study further revealed that qualification is playing vital role towards the KAPs of citizens on the novel disease. It is evident that organisations responsible for enlightenment and sensitization have done the needful.

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Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Prevention of Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) in Yobe State, Northeast Nigeria

Covid-19 is an acute respiratory tract infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has become a pandemic worldwide. Covid-19 has infected the entire world population including pregnant women. The vulnerability of pregnant women to infectious diseases is due to changes in body physiology and immune response mechanisms. One of the causes of transmission of Covid-19 in pregnant women is the lack of knowledge regarding Covid-19 and its prevention. This study mainly aims to determine the relationship between knowledge and Covid-19 preventive measures among pregnant women in Jambi City. This was an analytical observational study with cross-sectional design. The study population involved all pregnant women in Jambi City, with a total sample of 100 pregnant women, who were selected using a purposive sampling technique based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using online questionnaire from December 2020 to March 2021. Data were analyzed using Chi-Square test. Results of this study showed that knowledge had a significant relationship with Covid-19 preventive measures among pregnant women in Jambi City with a p-value of 0.001 (OR=4.943). Based on the results of this study, it is expected that healthcare workers can provide health education to prevent the risk of Covid-19 transmission among at-risk groups.

Relationship between Knowledge and Covid-19 Preventive Measures among Pregnant Women

Abstract Background Pregnant women form a specially vulnerable group due to unique changes in pregnancy, leading to a higher risk of getting a severe infection. As severe COVID-19 increases the risk of preeclampsia, preterm delivery, gestational diabetes, and low birth weight in pregnancy, there is a need to enhance pregnant women’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices to prevent these complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine their levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) regarding COVID-19 at the global level. Methods The systematic literature search was conducted in the English language, including Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Science Direct, Web of Science, EMBASE, Springer, and ProQuest, from the occurrence of the pandemic until September 2022. We used The Newcastle Ottawa scale for cross-sectional studies checklist to evaluate the risk of bias in the studies. Data were extracted by a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed by STATA software version 14. We also employed Cochran Q statistics to assess the heterogeneity of studies and utilized Inverse variance random-effects models to estimate the pooled level of pregnant women’s KAP towards COVID-19 infection prevention. Results Based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and inclusion criteria, 53 qualified studies were acquired from several countries. In total, 51 articles (17,319 participants) for knowledge, 15 articles (6,509 participants) for attitudes, and 24 articles (11,032 participants) for practice were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled good knowledge, positive attitude, and appropriate practice in pregnant women were estimated at 59%(95%CI: 52–66%), 57%(95%CI: 42–72%), and 53%(95%CI: 41–65%), respectively. According to subgroup analysis, the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 61%(95%CI: 49–72), 52%(95%CI: 30–74), and 50%(95%CI: 39–60), respectively, in Africa, and 58.8%(95%CI: 49.2–68.4), 60%(95%CI: 41–80) and 60% (95%CI: 41–78), respectively, in Asia. Conclusion The Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 infection prevention in pregnant women were low. It is suggested that health education programs and empowerment of communities, especially pregnant women, about COVID-19 continue with better planning. For future studies, we propose to investigate the KAP of COVID-19 in pregnant women in countries of other continents and geographical regions. 

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Global knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 among pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: COVID-19, a new respiratory infection was declared a global pandemic in 2020. Pregnant women are at risk because of their physiologic and immunologic changes. Preventive measures are essential as there is no definite cure. This study was therefore carried out to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of Rivers State University Teaching hospital, Nigeria towards the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted at the antenatal clinic of the hospital over 6weeks. Scores assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices were allocated and graded based on specific stratified demarcations.
Results: Two hundred and six respondents (81.4%) were assessed to have good knowledge. Fifty-one (20.2%) had overall good attitude while 67(26.5%) had good practice of preventive measures. The commonest symptoms of COVID-19 recalled were cough 169(27.8%), shortness of breath 153(25.1%) and fever 145(23.7%). Parity, mother’s and spouse’s level of education and occupation were significantly associated with knowledge levels while age of the mothers was associated with the attitude towards COVID-19 infection. Parity, mother’s and spouse’s level of education and occupation were significantly associated with the practice levels. There was an association of good knowledge and good attitude levels with good practice level (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Although pregnant women in Port Harcourt generally had good knowledge, majority of them had poor attitude and practice towards the pandemic. We therefore recommend strengthening public health education campaigns (including via antenatal clinic health talks, television and social media), providing evidence-based policies and debunking of wrong beliefs.

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Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pregnant Women Attending the Antenatal Clinic of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria towards the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) provides all an infant requires for optimal growth and development in the first six months of life. Although most babies are breastfed in Nigeria, only 23% are exclusively breastfed. This study was carried out to ascertain the knowledge, practice and problems associated with EBF amongst mothers attending the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). Methods: A 5-month cross sectional study was carried out in the Paediatric outpatient clinic (POPC) of RSUTH. A total of 343 mothers were randomly recruited and a pre-tested structured questionnaire administered after obtaining informed consent. Original Research Article Okari et al.; EJNFS, 12(9): 103-115, 2020; Article no.EJNFS.60903 104 Results: Ninety eight percent of the mothers had heard of EBF, 88% knew of its content and 80.2% knew that the duration of EBF was for 6 months. Only 46.4% exclusively breastfed their babies for 6 months and about 66% of participants knew of its benefits to both mother and child. Breastfeeding was commenced within 1 hour of delivery by 40.8% of mothers and pre-lacteal feeds given by 34.1% of mothers. Tertiary education, attending antenatal clinic and hospital delivery were significantly associated with good knowledge of EBF, while hospital delivery and multiparous women with at least 4 pregnancies were significantly associated with good EBF practice. Common challenges to EBF were perception that breast milk was insufficient for the babies (17.5%) and the need for mothers to return to work (9.3%). Conclusion: Knowledge of EBF was high among mothers attending the POPC in RSUTH but the EBF rate was suboptimal. Increased health education on the importance of EBF, the provision of creches at work places and the extension of maternity leave is advocated.

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Knowledge, Practice and Problems of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers Attending the Outpatient Clinic of a Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Designated Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

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Josephine Enekole Aitafo

Papers

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pregnant Women Attending the Antenatal Clinic of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria towards the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Knowledge, Practice and Problems of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers Attending the Outpatient Clinic of a Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Designated Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Prevalence, Associated Factors and Outcome of Newborns with Anaemia as Seen in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria