Cognition and Attitude toward Prenatal Check-ups among Chinese Primigravidas
Meichen Liu *
Graduate Studies, Far Eastern University, Manila, Metro Manila 1015, Philippines.
Josefina E. Florendo
Graduate Studies, Far Eastern University, Manila, Metro Manila 1015, Philippines.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Prenatal care remains the cornerstone of maternal and child health, but there is a huge variation in utilization patterns globally. Prenatal checkups are essential in the early detection and prevention of possible risks in pregnancy. The continuum of prenatal checkups provides an opportunity for health promotion, screening, and disease prevention. Prenatal checkups are significantly influenced by demographic factors, cognitive understanding of pregnancy, and attitudes towards healthcare. Education, income, and access to healthcare infrastructure play key roles that can impact cognitive acceptance and willingness to attend prenatal care.
Purpose: The objective of this study was investigate the cognition and attitude toward prenatal check-ups among Chinese primigravida’s and the relationship between them.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed among 180 Chinese primigravida aged 18–35 from hospitals in Shandong Province, China. Data was collected using validated questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, cognition, and attitude. A 28-item cognition scale and an Antenatal Care scale with 26 items for attitude were used. Analysis of the data employed descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and linear regression.
Results: A moderate level of cognition towards prenatal check-ups was found, with the highest mean (3.78) in recognizing fetal benefits, and a high level for attitude. The highest score for attitude was in normative beliefs, with a mean(47.76). Cognition was significantly associated with education level, occupation, family monthly income, and mode of payment for medical bills. The same demographic variables influenced attitudes (p < 0.05). No significant associations were found for age, ethnicity, work experience, or gestational age and cognition, nor with attitude. A strong positive significant relationship, however, was found between cognition and attitude (p <0.05). Regression analysis showed that education level, occupation, family monthly income, gestational age, and mode of payment for medical bills were predictors of cognition and attitude.
Conclusion: Data showed that primigravida mothers tend to show healthy cognition as well as high attitude towards PCU. Educational attainment, occupation, monthly income and mode of payment for medical bills seemed to play a role in curtailing their cognition and attitude as opposed to age, ethnicity, working experience and gestation age. Furthermore, evidence pointed out that cognition related to attitude of which knowledge was being translated into action. Moreover, variables such as educational level, monthly income, occupation, gestational age ,and mode of payment significantly predicts cognition and attitude.
Keywords: Prenatal check-ups (PCU), primigravids, demographic factors, cognition and attitudes, maternal health