THE GAMBIAN URBAN HOSPITAL ANTENATAL WOMEN ATTENDEES’ AWARENESS AND PERCEPTON OF CEASARIAN SECTION

The study aimed to explore antenatal women’s awareness and perception of caesarian section attending an urban hospital in the Gambia. The study used a qualitative exploratory research design. A purposive sample of 47 antenatal women was selected at the antenatal clinic (ANC) and the data collection tool was a structured interview guide with open ended questions which was developed by the researchers. Data were collected using face-to-face in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The interviews and focus group discussions were conducted in the Wollof and Mandinka local languages, audio recorded, and transcribed in English Language. Manual thematic analysis was performed. The results indicated that the mean age was 26.68 years (SD± 4.65), ranging from 13-36 years. The mean parity of respondents was 2.30 (SD± 1.37), ranging from 1-7. A majority of the respondents were from the Fulla and Mandinka tribes, had attained senior secondary education, Muslims, unemployed and never had Caesarian Section. Awareness of Caesarian Section was high as most of the women reported to have heard of it from healthcare providers. The women preferred the vaginal mode of delivery. The Caesarian Section was described as good but risky. The two themes that emerged from women’s perception were fear of the procedure and its social implications. Health education should be strengthened at the ANC to alleviate fears and social misconceptions of Caesarian Section. This can significantly reduce maternal morbidity and mortality amongst high risk antenatal women.