A study to assess the knowledge on childbirth process among Primigravida mothers

A study was conducted to assess the knowledge of primi mothers on child birth process. Fifty primigravida mothers who attended antenatal OPD during III trimester for checkup in Salem Polyclinic, Salem, were selected by purposive sampling technique. Data were collected from 16.08.14 to 18.08.14 by using structured interview schedule for knowledge on childbirth process after the establishment of reliability (r=0.9). Highest percentage of the mothers were in the age group o0f 21-25 years (50%), housewives (60%), belonged to nuclear family (54%) and income group of Rs 2999 (66%). Majority of them were Hindus (88%) and had information through family members (70%). Highest and similar percentage (38% each) of the mothers had higher secondary education and diploma. Overall mean knowledge scores on childbirth process (15.76 ± 4.17) revealed that the primi mothers had poor knowledge. Area wise mean knowledge scores revealed that mothers had poor knowledge on “first stage of labour”(5.88 ± 2), “second stage of labour” (2.06 ± 1.2) and “third stage of labour” (0.94 ± 0.71), whereas average knowledge on “signs and symptoms of onset of true labour” (2.94±1.37) (Table 1). These findings were higher than the studies of various researchers who revealed that majority of primi mothers had average knowledge on childbirth process. It can be concluded that the primi mothers had poor knowledge on childbirth process.