Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Obstetric Sonography Among Pregnant Women Attending Al-Dora Primary Healthcare Centers

Background: Ultrasound is a vital tool in prenatal care, providing crucial insights into fetal development and maternal health. Despite its widespread use, knowledge and attitudes toward its application vary among pregnant women. Objective of the Study: To assess the knowledge and attitude of pregnant women attending primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Al-Dora toward ultrasound use in pregnancy. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which was conducted in Baghdad city, specifically in PHCs in the Al-Dora primary healthcare centers from November 2023 to June 2024. The study population comprised 319 pregnant women attending these centers. Knowledge was evaluated through 12 questions, with correct answers scoring one point each; participants scoring 6 or more were classified as having “good knowledge.” Attitudes were measured using nine statements rated on a 3-point Likert scale, with scores aggregated to categorize attitudes as positive or negative. Results: The results showed that 62.1% of the participants had good knowledge about ultrasound. In addition, 83% of the women demonstrated a positive attitude toward ultrasound, with a strong positive correlation ( r = 0.706) between knowledge and attitude scores. Conclusion: The study showed that about two-thirds of women had good knowledge, with women with more children having considerably greater understanding. Good knowledge was also linked to age, occupation, and education. The study also indicated that 264 (83%) women had good attitudes toward US, and women with greater knowledge scores had considerable positive attitudes toward US.