Perception and Practices of Primigravida Women Regarding Minor Discomforts during the Last Trimester of Pregnancy

Background: Minor discomforts during the last trimester of pregnancy are mild aliments result from physiological changes and affect primigravida women quality of life. Aim: The present study aimed to assess perception and practices of primigravida women regarding minor discomforts during the last trimester of pregnancy. Subjects and method: Descriptive research design was used to conduct this study. This study was conducted at out-patient antenatal clinics of: Tanta University Hospitals, El-Menshawy General Hospital, Kafrelshiekh General Hospital, and Kafrelshiekh University Hospital. A purposive sample of 250 primigravida women were included in the study. Three tools were used for data collection: Tool I: primigravida women's knowledge regarding minor discomforts questionnaire consisting of three parts: Part (1): Socio-demographic characteristic of the primigravida women. Part (2): Obstetric profile of the primigravida women. Part (3): Primigravida women's knowledge regarding minor discomforts. Tool (II): Primigravida women's self-care reported practices for minor discomforts. Tool (III): Primigravida women's attitude toward minor discomforts of pregnancy. Results: The vast majority (97.6%) of the primigravida women had low level of knowledge regarding minor discomforts during the last trimester of pregnancy. They also had unsatisfactory level (98.4%) of practices as well as positive attitudes regarding minor discomforts of pregnancy. Conclusion: There were a low level of knowledge and unsatisfactory level of practices as well as positive attitude regarding minor discomforts during the last trimester of pregnancy. Recommendations: Planning health education sessions for primigravida women to improve their knowledge and self-care practices regarding minor discomforts management.