Self-Protective Behaviors among Pregnant Women regarding Spontaneous Abortion

Background: Spontaneous abortion is considered a main reproductive health issue acts asa risk factor for pregnant women's welfare and a prominent component of maternalmortality statistics. Knowledge and self-protective behaviors among pregnant womenregarding spontaneous abortion are very important. The aim of this study: was to identifyknowledge and self-protective behaviors among pregnant women regarding spontaneousabortion. Subjects and Method: A descriptive study design was used. The study wasconducted in Egypt at the out-patients' clinics of obstetrics departments of Tanta UniversityHospitals affiliated to Ministry of High Education and Scientific Research and ElMenshawy General Hospital affiliated to Ministry of Health and Population. A purposivesample of 200 pregnant women who had past history of spontaneous abortion was selectedfrom the previously mentioned settings. Two tools were used for data collection; Tool 1:Pregnant women's knowledge regarding spontaneous abortion, Tool 2: Women selfprotective behaviors regarding spontaneous abortion. Results: The finding of the presentstudy revealed that the majority of the studied pregnant women had low level of knowledgeand three quarters of them had negative self-protective behaviors regarding spontaneousabortion. Conclusion: There are highly statistical significant relationships betweenwomen's age at marriage, educational level, occupation and their knowledge regardingspontaneous abortion. Additionally, no significant relationship exists between knowledgeand self-protective behaviors regarding spontaneous abortion among the studied pregnantwomen. Recommendations: Implementation of continuous educational programs forpregnant women and newly appointed health care providers regarding self-protectivebehaviors of spontaneous abortion, and encouragement of early and regular antenatal care.