ABSTRACT
Despite implementation of proven programmes and initiatives by government and nongovernmental organization poor pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight, perinatal and maternal mortality rates remain a major public health issue in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area. Level of awareness of the risk factors that contributes to these poor pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women in Birnin Gwari LGA has not been documented. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of pregnant women on risk factors that predispose to poor pregnancy outcomes and to determine the prevalence of these risks factors among pregnant women in Birnin Gwari LGA. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from October 2012 to April 2013 and pregnant women were observed up to delivery. Information on mothers was collected using an interviewer administered semi structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed at univariate and bivariate levels using EPI info 7 and results were presented as means, proportion and Chi square with corresponding 95% confidence intervals and p- value. Of the 160 women studied 62% had adequate knowledge of factors that influence pregnancy outcomes; knowledge was significantly associated with maternal education, maternal age and parity. The prevalent risk factors are teenage marriage, low socioeconomic status, high maternal parity, late and inadequate attendance to antenatal care, and lack of skilled attendant during delivery. Hospital delivery was significantly associated with mother?s level of education, mother?s age, being in a monogamous family setting, husband?s level of education, but no association was found with maternal parity. Incidence of low birth weight was 11.7% and perinatal mortality rate was 34/1000 births. Low birth weight and perinatal mortality were associated with preterm delivery and extreme maternal age respectively. Majority of the pregnant ANC attendee have adequate knowledge of the factors that predisposes to poor pregnancy outcomes, the major factors for adverse outcome in this study are teenage marriage with associated teenage pregnancy, high maternal parity, inadequate prenatal care and unsupervised home deliveries. Factor that would lead to good outcomes are good birth spacing, being in a marriage, non use of alcoholic beverages and cigarette smoking. Knowledge of these factors should be disseminated to the households and communities at large in order to influence behavioral modification that will lead to reduction in poor pregnancy outcomes in the LGA. Keywords: Antenatal care, pregnancy outcomes, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State.