The knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards Antenatal Care of Female Garment Workers in Chittagong City, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is a crucial component of maternal healthcare since it assists in the early detection and treatment of pregnancy-related complications. However, in low-income countries like Bangladesh, access to ANC is typically restricted, especially for female garment workers who are employed in demanding working conditions and also come from vulnerable groups. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of female garment workers in Chittagong City towards the ANC. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices of female garment workers towards ANC in Chittagong City, Bangladesh. Method: A mixed-method-embedded-Quan(qual)-sequential design was chosen to identify the knowledge, attitude, and practice of female garment workers in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The study included 255 female garment workers from Chittagong, Bangladesh. Information on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of ANC among the participants was gathered using a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire asked about the date and frequency of ANC visits, the value of ANC, issues during pregnancy, and the sources of ANC-related information. Qualitative data was also gathered up until data saturation. Result: The study found that the majority of the respondents (63%) had inadequate knowledge regarding ANC, and only 37% had adequate knowledge. The quantitative data also revealed that 76% of the respondents had a positive attitude towards ANC, while 24% had a negative attitude. The 4+ ANC received by the respondents was 37.25%. The most common practices for ANC were taking iron and folic acid supplements (77.6%), and visiting a healthcare provider for ANC (78%). The qualitative data revealed that financial constraints, a lack of awareness, and cultural beliefs were the major barriers to accessing ANC services among female garment workers. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of ANC services and the need for targeted interventions to improve maternal and child health outcomes among female garment workers in Bangladesh. The study recommends that the government and employers should increase awareness about ANC, provide financial support for ANC services, and improve access to healthcare facilities for female garment workers. In conclusion, the mixed-methods approach used in this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence the knowledge, attitude, and practices towards ANC among female garment workers in Bangladesh.