An Investigation into the Quality of History Taken During Antenatal Care in Selected Clinics of Lundazi District – Zambia

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue IV, April 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

An Investigation into the Quality of History Taken During Antenatal Care in Selected Clinics of Lundazi District – Zambia

Patricia Mambwe¹, Jordan Tembo^2
1Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Rusangu University, P.O. Box 660391, Monze, Zambia
²Kalindawalo General Hospital, P.O. Box 560008, Petauke, Zambia

Abstract
Quality Antenatal care (ANC) is premised on early identification of risk factors and timely treatment to prevent maternal and neonatal mortalities. This facility-based cross-sectional study evaluated the quality of history taken during Antenatal Care provision in selected clinics of Lundazi district, Zambia. Data was collected through Focus Group Discussion with ANC users and through observation during ANC visits. This study found that ANC history taken, lacked risk identification as illustrated by 68.3% of clients who reported not to have been probed on previous hypertensive disorders, stillbirths, Antepartum hemorrhage, and postpartum hemorrhage. Out of 12 clients with raised Diastolic Blood pressure of 110 and above, only 4(33.3%) of the clients were asked whether they had a headache and 5(42%) if they had experienced convulsions. None (0%) of those clients were asked whether they experienced epigastric pain, blurred vision or dizziness- to rule out pre-eclampsia. 70% of the clients were not asked how they felt from the previous visit to the current visit and whether they felt fetal movements. Inadequate history taken at initial and subsequent ANC visits reduces opportunities for early identification and treatment of risk factors leading to maternal and fetal complications. Strengthening the quality of history taken during Antenatal contacts, improves provision of quality care to pregnant women.

Key words: Antenatal care, Antenatal care Users, History taking, Quality care.

INTRODUCTION

Antenatal care is the care given to a pregnant mother throughout pregnancy for optimal maternal and foetal health. During Antenatal contacts with health workers at a health facility, nurses assess the health of the expectant mother and her family by compiling a comprehensive data base, which include the health history, physical examination and laboratory studies (Ricci, 2013; Frazer and Cooper, 2009; Sherwen et al., 1995). Scholars observe that the information from the health history helps the physician or nurse to individualize prenatal physical examination, identify risk factors early and develop an appropriate plan of care. From an antenatal mother, history is collected at initial visit and subsequent visits during follow up care. It covers the following parameters

Read More