Knowledge and Attitude of Young Married Women Regarding Congenital Anomalies in the Fetus: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Study from South-Central India

Abstract

Abstract Background  Although congenital anomalies are a significant cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in both developed and developing countries, middle- and low-income countries, including India, account for approximately 95% of all children born with congenital anomalies. Some birth defects/congenital anomalies are preventable, if their risk factors are modified. Young married women must have a good knowledge regarding these preventable risk factors because this is the population who will be bearing children in the near future. Therefore, this study aims to determine the knowledge and attitude of young married women regarding congenital anomalies/ birth defects, their risk factors, preventive measures, and treatment options available. Materials and Methods  An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care center in South-Central, India, for over 1 year. Five hundred young married women (range: 18–30 years) answered a questionnaire, mainly focusing on what are birth defects, what are their risk factors and preventive strategies against them. It also included questions on how birth defects are diagnosed, and if carrying a baby with birth defects, what they would do for their management and also their knowledge regarding fetal medicine centers and fetal medicine specialists. Results  The mean knowledge score of the study participants was 18 ± 4.08 (range: 8–27). About 82.8% of the study participants had average knowledge regarding birth defects, and only 17.2% had good and adequate knowledge scores. The knowledge regarding risk factors is grossly inadequate. The knowledge regarding advanced maternal age, maternal obesity, and consanguinity as risk factors for congenital anomalies was deficient in more than 50% of the study population. The mean attitude score was 4.42 + 0.985 (range: 1–7), indicating overall positive attitudes. Conclusion  Knowledge regarding birth defects, their risk factors, and preventive strategies was moderate in the majority of the study participants. Education has some bearing on the knowledge and attitude, but the knowledge base still seems to be influenced by religious beliefs. Awareness campaigns to increase the knowledge about preventable causes of birth defects and their management strategies are urgently needed in this region.