Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: February | Volume: 11 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 304-312
An Evidence Based Assessment of Pregnancy Information Leaflets as Counselling Aid among the Study Subjects of Dakshina Kannada
Irin Ephrem1, Prathyusha Pradeep1, Ateendra Jha1, Shabaraya AR1
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Srinivas College of Pharmacy, Valachil, Mangalore
Corresponding Author: Irin Ephrem
ABSTRACT
The care of women during pregnancy is called Antenatal care. It includes visit to antenatal clinic, examination, investigations, immunization, supplements (iron, folic acid, calcium), and the required interventions. According to the Indian government guidelines, it is necessary for every pregnant women to have at least 3 antenatal checkups, together with 90 or more iron and folic acid tablets and at least 2 doses of TT injection. Due to lack of awareness and knowledge on pregnancy care, it is found that there are 73 still births out of 193 births per 1000 population worldwide. This study reports the findings of a questionnaire based interview conducted on 100 study subjects in Mangalore region to obtain data on the awareness of pregnant women about antenatal care. The results revealed that pregnancy information leaflet as counselling tool is effective for providing information to subjects as well as to improve their knowledge regarding the antenatal services which includes antenatal visits, iron and folic acid supplementation and injection TT doses. This study emphasizes the importance of pharmacist as counselor for special population like pregnant women for better healthcare outcome. By providing the information leaflet through the pharmacist to the women of child bearing age we can increase the knowledge levels regarding the antenatal services which are essential to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.
Key words: Antenatal Care, Still Birth, Leaflet, Pharmacist.