TITLE:
Cervical Ripening and Induction of Labor: Awareness, Knowledge, Perception and Attitude of Antenatal Care-Seeking Women at Zagazig University Hospital, Zagazig, Egypt
AUTHORS:
Ahmed Mohamed Nooh, Mohamed El-Sayed Mohamed
KEYWORDS:
Cervical Ripening, Induction of Labor, Awareness, Knowledge, Perception, Attitude
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.5 No.11,
September
21,
2015
ABSTRACT: To assess awareness, knowledge
and perceptions of antenatal care-seeking women about cervical ripening (CR)
and induction of labor (IOL), and their attitude towards these interventions. Methods: An observational descriptive
cross-sectional study which was conducted at an Egyptian teaching hospital. A questionnaire-based interview covered items on women’s demographic and clinical
data, as well as their awareness,
knowledge, perception and attitude towards specific methods of CR and IOL. Results: A total of 853 questionnaires were
analyzed, and 442 respondents (51.8%) were aware of CR and IOL. Knowledge
of Oxytocin use was noted in 215 participants (48.6%), of membrane sweeping in 85 (19.2%), of Foley’s catheter in 110 (24.9%) and
of Misoprostol in 84 (19.0%). The procedures were
perceived to prevent cesarean section in 219 respondents (49.5%). History of
previous IOL was a predictor of awareness (OR: 5.19, 95% CI: 1.6 – 11.23, p = 0.001*). Conclusion: This study showed that only a slightly more than 50% of participants were
aware of CR and IOL, and the overall knowledge and perception were sub-optimal.
Nevertheless, the attitudes towards the procedures were positive. Improved
counselling is required in order to further increase knowledge about CR and
IOL, and also correct misbelieves particularly in women at risk of undergoing
IOL.