ABSTRACT
Infections among pregnant women pose substantial risks to maternal and fetal health, with prevalence rates varying globally. Infection control during pregnancy is essential to prevent maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to infections, which can have significant consequences for both maternal and fetal health. While infection control measures are emphasized during antenatal care, the level of awareness, adherence, and management of these practices among pregnant women in resource-limited settings, such as in Ijaye, Abeokuta, remains under-explored. This abstract reviews the epidemiology, types, and prevalence of infections encountered during pregnancy, including urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, respiratory infections, and viral illnesses such as influenza and COVID-19. The impact of these infections on pregnancy outcomes, including risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal morbidity, is discussed. Recent studies indicate varying prevalence rates: urinary tract infections affect approximately 5-10% of pregnancies, while sexually transmitted infections can range from 1-5% depending on geographic and socio-economic factors. Respiratory infections and viral illnesses, such as influenza and COVID-19, have shown significant impacts on maternal and fetal health, particularly during outbreaks. Effective management strategies involve early detection through routine screening, appropriate antimicrobial therapy, vaccination where available, and multidisciplinary care to optimize outcomes. This abstract underscores the importance of comprehensive prenatal care and public health measures to mitigate the burden of infections among pregnant women. The findings indicate a moderate level of awareness but suboptimal practice of infection control measures among pregnant women in the study population. The study highlights the need for targeted educational interventions, improved healthcare access, and community-based health campaigns to enhance infection control practices. Strengthening antenatal care services, providing regular counseling on infection prevention, and addressing barriers such as cultural beliefs and limited resources are essential to improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Keywords: Infection, Maternal, Fetal Health, Pregnancy, Morbidity.
TABLE
OF CONTENT
Title
page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Table
of contents vi
List
of Tables vii
List
of figures viii
Abstract ix
CHAPTER
ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the study 1
1.2
Statement of the problem 3
1.3
Objective of study 4
1.4
Research question 5
1.5
Research Hypothesis 5
1.6
Significant of the study 6
1.7.
Scope of the study 6
1.8
Operational Definition of terms 7
CHAPTER
TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0
Introduction 9
2.1
Conceptual literature review 9
2.1.1
Concept of infection control 9
2.1.2
History of infection 11
2.1.3
Types of infection 12
2.1.4
Risk factors of infection 14
2.1.5
Etiology of infection 15
2.1.6
Clinical Manifestation of infection 16
2.1.7
Diagnosis of infection 16
2.1.8
Prevention of infection 18
2.1.9
Management of infection 19
2.1.10.
Complications of infection 20
2.2
Theoretical framework 21
2.3
Empirical review of studies 24
CHAPTER
THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.0
Introduction 28
3.1
Research Design 28
3.2
Research Settings 28
3.3
Target Population 29
3.4
Sample size and sample Technique 29
3.5
Data Collection Instruments 30
3.6
Validity of instrument 30
3.7
Reliability of instrument 30
3.8
Method of data collection 31
3.9
Method of data analysis 31
3.10
Ethical considerations 31
CHAPTER
FOUR: RESULT
4.1
Demographic Baseline characteristics of Respondents 33
4.2
Respondents awareness of infection control 37
4.3
Respondents attitude towards awareness and management of infection 38
4.4
Answering research question 39
CHAPTER
FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1
Introduction 49
5.2
Discussion of Findings 49
5.3
Implications of Findings to nursing 51
5.4
Limitations of the Study 52
5.5
Summary of the study 52
5.6
Conclusion 53
5.7
Recommendations 54
5.8
Suggestions of further studies 54
References 56
Appendix
I&II 60
LIST
OF TABLES
Table
1: Demographic Characteristics of Respondents
Table
2: Awareness of Infection Control
Table
3: Practice of Infection Control
Table
4: Management of Infection Control
Table
5: H0 (There is no significant relationship between the level of awareness of
respondents and practice towards infection control)
LIST
OF ABBREVIATIONS
ANC:
Antenatal care
WHO:
World Health Organization
FANC:
Focused Antenatal Care
HIV:
Human Immune Virus
AIDS:
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
UTI
: Urinary Tract Infection
PCR:
Polymerase Chain Reaction
ART:
Anti retroviral Therapy
STI:
Sexually Transmitted Infection
TPB:
Theory of planned behavior
HSV:
Herpes Simplex Virus
CBC:
Complete Blood Count
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to
the Study
The motherhood phase is a beautiful, joyful and
exciting one, according to traditional belief. Beck (2019) refers to pregnancy
as a vulnerable period for infections, which can pose significant risks to both
the mother and the fetus. Antenatal care provides an opportunity to educate
pregnant women on infection control practices, reducing the risk of infections
and promoting a healthy pregnancy. However, limited awareness and inadequate
infection control practices among pregnant women can lead to devastating
consequences. In this study we aim to investigate the awareness and prevention
of infection control among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in state
hospital Ijaye. Antenatal care (ANC) can be defined as the care provided by
skilled health-care professionals to pregnant women and adolescent girls in
order to ensure the best health conditions for both mother and baby during pregnancy.
The components ofANC include: risk identification; prevention and management of
pregnancy-related or concurrent diseases; and health education and health
promotion. In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), ANC utilization has
increased since the introduction of the WHO ANC model, known as focused ANC
(FANC) or basic ANC, which is a goal-orientated approach to delivering
evidence-based interventions carried out at four critical times during
pregnancy.
However, globally, during the period till (2014), only
64% of pregnant women attended the WHO-recommended minimum four contacts for
ANC, suggesting that much more work needs to be done to address ANC utilization
and quality.Currently, WHO guidance on routine ANC is fragmented, with related
recommendations published across several different WHO guidelines and practical
manuals. In addition, evidence on the possible harm of the FANC model has
recently become available, necessitating a review. The (2016) WHO ANC model
aims to provide pregnant women with respectful, individualized, person centered
care at every contact and to ensure that each contact delivers effective,
integrated clinical practices. The American psychological Association (2015)
states the signs and symptoms of infection to include: Fever, abdominal pain,
frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, chills, etc. There are several risk
factors for the development of infection which include Low economic status, poor hygiene, limited
education, poor access to clean water, shared facilities (Ghaedrahmati et
Al,2016).Globally,the prevalence rate of infection among pregnant women in the
world according to a large meta analysis conducted in 2019 is 22.1% (Wang et
Al,2021). The meta analysis done by Wang et Al (2021) showed that south America
had the highest prevalence rate of 38.7%, South Africa, 26.5%, Northern Africa,
17.62%, Eastern Asia 17.39%, Western Africa,13.0% and Southern Asia,11.67%.Lack
of awareness, practice and management of infection control make woman
susceptible to risk of having infection, since they do not know the causes and
signs and symptoms of the condition (Akwa,2015).A study conducted in Ilorin in
2017 by Abiodun and Akinode (2017) revealed that the prevalence of infection
was 12.69% (Ojewole I T et.al., 2022).
A study by Abazie and Usoro (2020) which was aimed to
assess the awareness of infection among pregnant women at antenatal clinic in
selected primary health care center in Abeokuta, Ogun state revealed that the
majority of respondents had poor knowledge on practice and control of
infection.A study by Okafor et al. (2017) conducted in Nigeria found that
approximately 15% of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were affected
by infections such as urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis. This
highlights the importance of robust infection control measures to mitigate
risks.According to a systematic review by Ahmed et al. (2019), effective
infection control practices in antenatal clinics significantly reduce maternal
and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Proper hand hygiene, sterilization of
equipment, and vaccination of healthcare workers were identified as crucial
interventions. Research by Khan et al. (2020) identified challenges in
implementing infection control measures in low-resource settings, including
inadequate infrastructure, limited access to personal protective equipment
(PPE), and gaps in healthcare worker training. The World Health Organization
(WHO, 2016) emphasizes the importance of integrating infection prevention and
control into routine antenatal care to improve maternal and newborn health
outcomes. Their guidelines provide a framework for healthcare facilities to
develop tailored infection control strategies.
A study by Suryawanshi et al. (2018) underscores the
role of patient education in infection prevention. Pregnant women who received
targeted education on hygiene practices and symptom recognition were more
likely to adhere to infection control recommendations. Recent literature
highlights innovative approaches to infection control, such as the use of
mobile health technologies for remote education and monitoring (Kumar et al.,
2021). These technologies aim to enhance access to information and support
adherence to infection control protocols.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Despite the importance of infection control practices
during pregnancy, many pregnant women attending antenatal clinics lack adequate
awareness and knowledge about infection controlmeasures in Ijaye community in
Ogun state. The women attending antenatal clinic in state hospital Ijaye puts
themselves and their unborn babies at risk of infections due to lack of
awareness about infection control measures. The prevalence of infections among
pregnant women remains high, with potentially devastating consequences,
including maternal and fetal morbidity, mortality, and long-term health
complications (Robertson et Al,2020). The way people perceive and understand
their health is related to the subjective cultural experience in their society
(Babatunde and Moreno Lenguizamon, 2016).
There is a gap in the literature regarding the
awareness and practice of mothers in Ijaye regarding the prevention of
infection among women attending the antenatal clinic.Many pregnant women lack
sufficient knowledge about infection control measures. This includes understanding
the importance of practices such as proper hand hygiene, safe food handling,
and timely vaccinations. Limited awareness can lead to poor adherence to
infection control guidelines, increasing the risk of infections during
pregnancy (Kumar & Singh, 2020). Understanding the factors that influences
mother’s awareness, attitudes and practice is essential for developing
effective interventions to reduce the burden of infection control in the
community. Therefore this study aims in identifying areas of improvement and
providing recommendations for enhancing infection control practices among this
vulnerable population.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The main objective of the study is to assess the
knowledge, practice and provide awareness to mothers in the Ijaye community
Abeokuta towards the management of infection control among women attending
antenatal clinic.
The specific objectives are:
i. To assess the level of awareness
about infection control practices among pregnant women attending antenatal
clinics in State Hospital Ijaye, Abeokuta.
ii. To evaluate the effectiveness of
current infection control measures in the antenatal clinic of State Hospital
Ijaye.
iii.
To identify the risk of pregnant women attending antenantal clinic in state
hospital ijaye, Abeokuta.
1.4
Research Question
i. What is the level of awareness
about infection control practices among pregnant women attending antenatal
clinics in State Hospital Ijaye?
ii. What sources of information do
pregnant women rely on for infection control practices during pregnancy?
iii. What practices do pregnant women
employ to prevent infections during pregnancy?
iv. How effective are the current
infection control measures in the antenatal clinic of State Hospital Ijaye?
v.
What challenges do pregnant women face in practicing infection control measures
during pregnancy?
1.5
Research Hypothesis
The following null hypotheses were
tested;
H0:
There is no significant relationship between the level of awareness of
respondents and practice towards infection control.
H1:
There is a significant relationship between the level of awareness of
respondents and practice towards infection control.
1.6 Significance of the Study
It is my hope that results from this study could
demonstrate that infection control in the rural areas culture goes beyond
clinical screening. The study contributes to reducing the risk of infection
among pregnant woman and their babies and childbirth experience for women
attending antenatal clinic. The findings from this study also enlighten the
participants and populace on how to prevent infection among pregnant women. The
study also contributes to existing literature on infection control in antenatal
care, providing valuable insights for future research and practice. The data
collected for this study serve in identifying patterns of thought, influences
of awareness, practice and management of infection involvement with the
recognition, causes, awareness and management of infection in rural areas like
Ijaye, State hospital ijaye, Abeokuta. By educating pregnant women on the
infection control, this study can empower them to take charge of their health
and make informed decisions.
1.7 Scope of the Study
As stated in the statement of problem, this study
focused on the awareness practice and management of infection control among
pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in state hospital ijaye Abeokuta.The
study background revealed that there is a high prevalence of infection in rural
settings in Nigeria. 100 study participant's (women of child bearing age) were
interviewed for data collection. In this study, the problem of choice is the
awareness and management of infection control among pregnant women attending
antenatal clinic in Ijaye, state hospital Abeokuta, Ogun State. The problem is
further narrowed to focus on the Awareness, practice and belief of pregnant
women on infection.
1.8. Operational Definition of Terms
Awareness practices:
Refers to the knowledge and understanding of infection control measures among
pregnant women.
Management of infection
control: Includes the measures taken to prevent
and control infections in the antenatal clinic.
Infection control
practices: Includes hand hygiene, use of personal
protective equipment (PPE), proper cleaning and disinfection, and safe
injection practices.
Antenatal care: Routine
healthcare provided to pregnant women to monitor and support their health and
well-being.
Pregnant women:
Women in the gestational age range of 12-36 weeks attending antenatal clinics
in State Hospital Ijaye.
Infection control
measures: Actions taken to prevent and control the
spread of infections including sterilization, disinfection, and isolation
precautions.
Knowledge:
Refers to the understanding and familiarity of pregnant women with infection
control practices.
Attitudes:
Refers to the beliefs and opinions of pregnant women regarding infection
control practices.
Practices:
Refers to the actual behaviors and actions taken by pregnant women to prevent
and control infections.
Healthcare providers:
Includes nurses, midwives, and doctors providing care to pregnant women in the
antenatal clinic
Abeokuta: Abeokuta
is a capital city of Ogun state in southwest Nigeria.It is situated on the east
bank of the Ogun River.
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