Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Self-Harm in Pregnancy Among Women Attending Ante-Natal Clinics in South-Western Nigeria

Self-harm is a major public health concern affecting thousands of women although it is an under-reported and neglected aspect of maternal health particularly in developing countries where there is a paucity of evidence regarding self-harm and it is rarely given attention. This study was a cross sectional quantitative study carried out to investigate the knowledge, attitude and perception of self-harm in pregnancy among 369 women attending antenatal clinics in a government owned hospital in southwest Nigeria. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique from ante natal clinics with the aid of semi-structured questionnaire to elicit information on their socio-demographic, knowledge, perception, and their attitude towards self-harm. Data were entered using SPSS version 25 and were analysed using descriptive and inferential Chi-square statistics at p =0.05. Respondent’s knowledge on self-harm in pregnancy was measured on 7 items and 7-point scale. Knowledge score of <2 was rated as poor and ≥7 was rated as good. Perception of self-harm in pregnancy was measured on 16 items and 16-point scale, score <8 was rated as negative and scores ≥8 was rated as positive. While respondents’ attitude toward self-harm was measured on 11 items and 11-point scale, score <6 was rated as negative and scores ≥6 as positive. Most respondents (85.4%) had a good knowledge of self-harm in pregnancy, good perception of (79.1%) and positive attitude of (85.9%). There should be public awareness and education campaigns on early detection, screening and counselling of pregnant women on the effect and risks of self-harm in pregnancy. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Perception, Self-harm, Pregnancy, Hospital, Antenatal