KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTION OF STILLBIRTH AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC IN MATER MISERICORDIA HOSPITAL, AFIKPO, EBONYI STATE

TOPIC: KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTION OF STILLBIRTH AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC IN MATER MISERICORDIA HOSPITAL, AFIKPO, EBONYI STATE

TOPIC IS SUITABLE FOR:
1-Department of Nursing Science
2-Department of Midwifery
3-Department of Public Health
4-Department of Community Health
This research material contains:
1-Chapter One to Five
2-Recent References/Citations
3-Tables in Chapter Four
4-Accurate Data Analysis
5-Table of Contents
6-Questionnaire

ABSTRACT 
This study was carried out to examine the knowledge and prevention of stillbirth among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State. The study was specifically carried out to determine the level of knowledge of stillbirth among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital Afikpo, identify the factors that contribute to stillbirth among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital Afikpo, and discuss the preventive measures of stillbirth among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital Afikpo. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. Hence, the questionnaire was used for data collection, while the data collected were analyzed using frequency tables, percentages, and Cross Sectional Chi-square statistical tool. A total population of 250 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital Afikpo was used for the study. A sample size of 154 respondents was derived using Taro Yamane formula, while 139 validated respondents were used for analysis through multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that pregnant women had a moderate level of knowledge of stillbirth with 64.7% of respondents demonstrating good knowledge. The study also showed that poor maternal nutrition, delayed antenatal attendance, maternal infections, high blood pressure, prolonged labour, and lack of proper medical care were major contributory factors to stillbirth, with response values ranging from 57.6% to 59.7%. Likewise, the study further revealed that regular antenatal attendance, balanced nutrition, prompt treatment of infections, monitoring fetal movement, and early medical attention were major preventive measures of stillbirth, with response values ranging from 60.4% to 62.6%. The hypothesis tested revealed a significant association between knowledge of stillbirth and preventive measures practices among pregnant women at χ² = 24.83, df = 1, P = .000. The study therefore recommends that healthcare providers should intensify health education on stillbirth prevention, while pregnant women should ensure regular antenatal attendance for early detection and management of pregnancy complications.
Keywords: Knowledge, Prevention, Stillbirth, Pregnant Women, Antenatal Clinic.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background of the Study
 Maternal and neonatal health is a key issue in healthcare systems throughout the world due to its critical roles in family well-being, community progress and national productivity. Evelyne (2023) explained that good maternal health care plays a vital role in improving outcomes for both mothers and infants. Of particular importance is the role of antenatal care, which has become an important element of reproductive health care, a way for health promotion, disease prevention and regular monitoring of the mother and fetus. Jena et al. (2021) reported that during the Antenatal period, healthcare workers can provide education on key health practices, and help identify the complications associated with pregnancy. Likewise, Afolabi et al. (2021) found that frequent antenatal care improves women's health literacy and promotes healthy behaviours for pregnancy outcomes. This overall awareness underscores the critical importance of maternal health knowledge for ensuring safe pregnancy and childbirth experiences.
The significance of maternal health education becomes more apparent when examining pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirth, which remains an important measure of maternal and fetal health. Stillbirth is traditionally defined as the death of a fetus at or after a certain number of weeks of pregnancy (national and international health criteria). Stillbirth is an important proxy measure of maternal and perinatal health care services, according to Milton et al. (2022). Anthony et al. (2023) explained that knowledge of stillbirth involves knowledge about stillbirth definitions, maternal health issues, and the significance of proper prenatal care practices. Additionally, Mohammed-Ahmed et al. (2022) reported that the awareness level among pregnant women is linked to appreciating foetal health and the importance of routine antenatal monitoring. Ade-Ojo et al. (2023) also noted that most maternal education programmes include information on foetal well-being, which improves women's knowledge of factors for a healthy pregnancy. Thus, the knowledge on stillbirth is now an essential part of today's education on antenatal health care.
Stillbirth awareness has become more prominent in maternal healthcare services and more attention is now being paid towards prevention of stillbirths to protect the life of the baby throughout the entire period of pregnancy. Prevention of stillbirths is health care interventions, educational strategies, and maternal behaviors that promote optimal fetal development and well-being. Obionu et al. (2022) noted that, in addition to this, there is a structured opportunity for pregnant women to receive information about recommended health practices and pregnancy management in the antenatal clinics. According to Ayilara et al. (2026), providing health education with antenatal care increases women's ability to make informed choices about their health and the health of their unborn children. Likewise, Badru et al. (2026) found that regular exposure to health information can augment maternal knowledge and acceptance of preventive health measures and follow-up of professional advice. Ezeuhwe et al. (2024) also added that the knowledge acquisition of pregnant women impacts health-seeking behaviour and aids positive maternal outcomes. Thus, the stillbirth prevention is now considered a multi-faceted process, involving education, awareness, and ongoing engagement with health care during pregnancy.
With the appreciation of knowledge and preventive practices as a crucial component of maternal healthcare, interest in measuring these factors has arisen in particular healthcare settings. Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State is a healthcare system that offer antenatal services to the pregnant women in Afikpo and its surrounding areas. Healthcare facilities are crucial hubs in the implementation of maternal health policies and educational programs, providing significant opportunities for learning and directly applying maternal health concepts (Anthony et al., 2023). Evelyne (2023) reiterated that assessment of pregnant women's knowledge at the Antenatal Clinic is important in providing insights into the efficacy of maternal health education programmes. Similarly, Ade-Ojo et al. (2023) stated that facility-based investigations help to gain a deeper understanding of women's uptake, interpretation and action of health information during pregnancy. The present study focuses on knowledge and prevention of stillbirth among the pregnant women attending antenatal clinic, Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State and aimed to obtain context-specific evidence on knowledge and health preventive measures of pregnant women in the context of the Ante Natal Clinic.

1.2   Statement of the Problem
In modern health systems, promoting the health of mothers and their unborn children is still a significant issue due to its role in achieving good pregnancy outcomes and safe childbirth. Antenatal care is an opportunity to offer women health education, counselling and information that is essential for keeping them healthy during pregnancy. Jena et al. (2021) reported that the antenatal service can raise maternal awareness and assist in their decision-making process in relation to health. Likewise, Evelyne (2023) indicated that the success of maternal health care programmes can be gauged by the awareness of the pregnant women to issues that impact on the survival of the fetus and pregnancy outcomes. Ade-Ojo et al. (2023) also identified that women should be provided with adequate knowledge that will help in preventive health practices in healthcare institutions. It would be ideal for pregnant women visiting antenatal clinics to have a level of understanding of stillbirth and how to prevent it, so they can maximise maternal and fetal health.
In spite of the provision of antenatal care services and maternal health education programmes, literature reviewed indicated that gaps persist in the level of knowledge and preventive practices of pregnant women with regard to stillbirth. Mohammed-Ahmed et al. (2022) suggested that variations in maternal awareness may impact the level of understanding of information on fetal health and pregnancy care. Similarly, Obionu et al., (2022) indicated that pregnant women do not have equal understanding of health information received during ANCs. The best scenario is for all pregnant women who attend antenatal clinic to have enough knowledge about stillbirth and to take action on recommended stillbirth prevention. But in many healthcare environments today, that's not the case, and it's not clear what knowledge women have or what preventive measures they take. Due to this uncertainty, empirical assessment is needed within specific healthcare environments.
Moreover, existing literature is mostly focussed on the awareness of maternal health in the general community, and very few studies took into consideration knowledge and prevention of stillbirths among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State. According to Ayilara et al. (2026), gaining insight into the current knowledge of mothers in a specific context is crucial to designing tailored educational programs. Likewise, Anthony et al. (2023) argued that health care planning is enhanced when based on evidence derived from the population of interest. The lack of adequate information about pregnant women's knowledge and preventive practices in relation to stillbirth in the study area can be regarded as a knowledge gap. Thus, this study aims to examine the knowledge and prevention of stillbirth among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic, Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State to provide facts and figures that may be used in health education to improve the delivery of health care to pregnant women in the hospital.
1.3 Objectives Of The Study
The study's main goal is to assess knowledge and prevention of stillbirth among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State: 
Specific Objectives:
1. Determine the level of knowledge of stillbirth among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital Afikpo.
2. Identify the factors that contribute to stillbirth among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital Afikpo.
3. Discuss the preventive measures of stillbirth among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital Afikpo.
OTHER PARTS OF CHAPTER ONE INCLUDE:
1.4 Research Questions: 
1.5 Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter, therefore, focuses on the concept of stillbirth, the concept of knowledge of stillbirth, causes and risk factors of stillbirth, prevention of stillbirth, awareness of stillbirth prevention measures, and factors influencing the knowledge and prevention of stillbirth among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic etc.The chapter is sub-grouped into the following major headings:
2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review
2.4 Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY  (Preview)
Presented below is a snapshot of key areas of the study methodology, the full and detail chapter three methodology is contained in the instant download document.

Research Design: The study adopted a descriptive research design.
Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State.
Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of approximately 154 participants.
Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling to select the individual respondents.

Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire titled “Knowledge and Prevention of Stillbirth among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State” as the instrument for data collection.
Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their opinions. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented in tables, charts, and graphs.
Full outline for chapter three:
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Research Setting
3.3 Target Population
3.4 Sample Size
3.5 Sampling Technique
3.6 Instruments For Data Collection
3.7 Validity and Reliability of Instrument
3.8 Pilot Study
3.9 Method of Data Collection
3.10 Method Of Data Analysis
3.11 Ethical considerations

CHAPTER FOUR; DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following findings are made: 

i. The study found that pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, have a good level of knowledge of stillbirth, as evidenced by their awareness of the meaning of stillbirth, the importance of regular antenatal visits, maternal infections, and reduced fetal movement as a warning sign.

ii. The study found that poor maternal nutrition, delayed antenatal care attendance, high blood pressure, maternal infections, prolonged labour, and lack of proper medical care are factors that contribute to stillbirth among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State.

iii. The study found that pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, recognize important preventive measures against stillbirth, including regular antenatal clinic attendance, balanced nutrition, prompt treatment of infections, monitoring fetal movement, seeking medical attention for pregnancy complications, and avoiding harmful substances during pregnancy.

iv. The study found a statistically significant association between knowledge of stillbirth and preventive measures practices among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State. The Chi-square test showed a value of 24.83, with 1 degree of freedom and a p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis and acceptance of the alternative hypothesis.

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
This chapter covers the following outline:
5.1 Discussion of Findings 
5.2 Implication of the Findings
5.3 Limitations of the Study
5.4 Summary
5.5 Conclusion
5.6 Recommendations
5.7 Suggestions for Further Studies
Reference
Appendix

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