KNOWLEDGE REGARDING RHESUS DISEASE AMONG FEMALES WITH 1^ST PREGNANCY IN A COMMUNITY

ABSTRACT 

Aims: To assess the knowledge of mothers (primiparous and or those who have recently delivered first child) about Rh disease and its risk to mother and child and also create awareness in them about the importance of blood grouping during pregnancy. 

Setting: Korangi town Sector 33-B, C, D E and F of Union Council -7 was randomly selected consisting of 5000 houses.   

Subjects and Methods: From Korangi town Sector 33-B, C, D E and F of UC -7, primiparous mothers or those who had recently delivered their first child were randomly selected for the study using Systemic sampling plan.  

After taking informed written consent, a structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge regarding Rh disease and Hemolytic Disease of Newborn (HDN). The proforma included questions related to maternal and child health, complications during pregnancy, consultation of health care providers during pregnancy, number of visits to health care centre during pregnancy, importance of blood group and Rh disease. Rh grouping was done using rapid slide technique. Subjects, who had Rh Positive test, were issued special Rh Positive Cards at the spot while those with negative blood group were re- confirmed at our laboratory via reverse blood grouping and the cards were issued to them next day. Information about RH related aliments was also disseminated to all research participants along with their attendants at the time of home visit to enhance the awareness about Rh disease.  

 Results: A total of 350 females were interviewed and checked for blood group. Almost 11% females were less than 20 years of age, 75% were between 20-30 years, and 14% were of above 30 years. Ethnic divide showed 72% to be Urdu speaking, followed by Punjabi (12.3%), Sindhi (7.1 %) and others ethnic groups (8.3%). Although 82% females were literate but only 2% had knowledge about complications related to negative blood group during and after pregnancy. About 94.3% were not aware that what precautions should be taken if a mother's blood group is Rh negative, while 99 % had no idea about consequences of blood incompatibility on fetus/newborn. Majority (81.4 %) of females had no knowledge about their blood group. Blood grouping test was performed and about 8.3% research participants were Rh negative.  

Conclusions: Knowledge about blood groups and Rh incompatibility and its complications during pregnancy and after child birth was known to only 1% women, indicating an urgent need to create awareness against Rh diseases through print/electronic media.