Assessment of pregnant women’s knowledge on danger signs and symptoms of childbirth: A cross-sectional study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Background: Although pregnancy is a natural process, it can involve unexpected complications that pose serious risks to both mother and fetus. Maternal mortality remains a global public health concern, with around 830 women dying daily from preventable pregnancy- and childbirth-related causesmostly in developing countries. These deaths are primarily due to obstetric complications such as hemorrhage, eclampsia, sepsis, and obstructed labor. Early recognition of danger signs is crucial for prompt medical care and improved outcomes. This study aimed to assess pregnant women’s knowledge of key danger signs during childbirth in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2023 to April 2024 in three hospitals in Lalbag, Dhaka. A total of 262 pregnant women aged 18–49 years with at least three months of gestation were purposively selected. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and Chi-square tests assessed associations between socio-demographic factors and knowledge levels. Knowledge was classified as “good” if participants identified at least three danger signs during pregnancy, two during labor, and two after childbirth. Ethical approval was obtained from Hamdard University Bangladesh, and informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Results: The mean age of participants was 23.37 ± 4.47 years, with most (61.1%) aged 19–23. Nearly half (48.2%) had delivered their last child at home. One-third of respondents had good knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth, while only 12.2% had good knowledge after childbirth. Significant associations were found between knowledge during pregnancy and age (p = 0.0001), respondent’s education (p = 0.012), and husband’s education (p = 0.045). Knowledge after childbirth was also significantly associated with age (p = 0.024). Other socio-demographic variables showed no significant associations.

Conclusion: The study highlights that a considerable proportion of pregnant women had poor knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy, childbirth, and especially after childbirth. Younger age and lower educational attainment were associated with poorer awareness. Targeted health education and counseling interventions are essential to improve maternal knowledge and promote timely care-seeking behaviors, ultimately reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.