A Survey Of Psychological Reaction And Perception Of Pregnant Women, To Prenatal Ultrasonography In Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos

Abstract

Aim The aim of the study is to assess and describe the perception and reaction of pregnant women to ultrasonography during their antenatal period.MethodA descriptive cross sectional study, using structured interview, administered through a questionnaire which was completed by patients who present in the Radiodiagnosis Department of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for ultrasonography and who have given informed consent to participate in the study. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for analyzing the completed questionnaires. Two hundred patients were recruited for this study. Results The respondent’s knowledge about ultrasonography was very high 182 (92.5%). 191(95.5%) had underdone investigation with ultrasonography at one time or the other, in the past. Majority 186 (93.0%) obtained their information from friends. The psychological response of respondents to ultrasonography was good. Most of the respondents 188(94.0%) indicate that their doctor communicated with them during ultrasonography, 194(97.0%) wished they received results immediately after an investigation; 176(88.0%) believed ultrasonography cannot cause cancer and 168(84.0%) believed that ultrasonography is not dangerous to their baby. ConclusionPrenatal ultrasonography has been embraced as being a vital part of prenatal care. A large percentage of respondents have heard about prenatal ultrasonography and duly opt for it. However their interpretation on what ultrasonography entails varied greatly with a lot of them having little or no knowledge about ultrasonography.