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Knowledge of Pregnancy Warning Signs

Indicator Phrasing

% of women of reproductive age who are able to state at least three warning signs during pregnancy
See indicator in other languages

Indicator Phrasing

English: % of women of reproductive age who are able to state at least three warning signs during pregnancy

French: % de femmes en âge de procréer qui sont capables de citer au moins trois signes d'alerte pendant la grossesse

Portuguese: % de mulheres em idade reprodutiva que são capazes de identificar pelo menos três sinais de aviso durante a gravidez

Czech: % žen v reproduktivním věku schopných uvést alespoň tři rizikové příznaky v průběhu těhotenství

What is its purpose?

The indicator assesses the proportion of women of reproductive age aware of at least three warning signs during pregnancy – a key pre-condition for seeking timely and appropriate care.

How to Collect and Analyse the Required Data

Collect the following data by conducting individual interviews with a representative sample of women of reproductive age:

  

RECOMMENDED SURVEY QUESTIONS (Q) AND POSSIBLE ANSWERS (A)

Q1: During pregnancy, a woman may encounter severe problems or illnesses which require her to go or be taken to a health facility immediately. What symptoms would cause you to immediately go to a health facility for a medical examination?  

A1: _

1) vaginal bleeding

2) fast/ difficult breathing

3) high fever

4) severe abdominal pain

5) headache/ blurred vision

6) convulsions

7) foul-smelling discharge/ fluid from the vagina

8) baby stops moving

9) leaking brownish/ greenish fluid from the vagina

10) swelling of face, hands or feet 

 

Note: If less than three signs are stated, keep probing: “Are there any other warning signs you know?”

 

To calculate the indicator’s value, divide the respondents aware of at least three of the pre-defined warning signs by the total number of respondents.  Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage.

Disaggregate by

Consider disaggregating the data by location (rural/ urban), socio-economic characteristics (education level, wealth quintile) and the number of respondent’s children (none, one, two, three, four …).

Important Comments

1) Consider using a slightly revised indicator for assessing the knowledge of important family members, such as their mothers-in-law, mothers or husbands.

This guidance was prepared by People in Need ©

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