Nyckelord
pregnant women
awareness
smoking
antenatal clinic
Abstract
Background: Poor awareness of risk factors for birth
defects (BD) among women had been reported in
most of the developed countries. However, little of
such is known in developing countries like Nigeria
where a significant prevalence of BD had been
reported. This study assessed awareness and
prevalence of BD among women in selected rural
communities in Oyo State Nigeria.
Methods: This is a community based cross-sectional
study. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to
recruit 614 women, aged 15-49 years. Data on
awareness, prevalence of BD, associated risk factors
and preventive measures were collected using an
interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were
analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Mean age of the 614 women interviewed
was 34.8 ± 7.7 years. Majority were married (526,
85.7%), had formal education (531, 86.5%) and were
aware of BD (530, 86.3%). About half (313, 51.0%)
reported supernatural factor as a cause of BD and
only four (0.8%) women reported occurrence of BD
among their children. Risk factors identified included
smoking during pregnancy (404, 76.2%), advanced
maternal age (197, 37.2%), diabetes mellitus (176,
33.2%) and maternal obesity (104, 19.6%). Predictors
of awareness of BD include regular attendance of
ANC (aOR=3.38, 1.56 – 7.34), formal employment
(aOR=2.38, CI=1.06 – 5.26) and being married
(aOR=2.17, CI=1.12 – 4.17).
Conclusions: Despite high awareness, there was
low self-reported prevalence of BD with high level
of misconceptions among participants. There is need
for intensification of BD awareness interventions
among women resident in the study area.
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