Understanding Women's Perspectives on Dating Scan: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors

Abstract

Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practice among women of reproductive age group regarding benefits of dating scan.
Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Central Park Teaching Hospital form November 2021 -April 2022. The married women of reproductive age from 15-45 years were recruited in the study via structured questionnaire. The relationship between the categorical variables was determined by chi-square test by keeping the p value ≤ 0.05.
Results: The average age was 32.09 + 6.96 SD years. Out of all, 103 (25.8%) females were illiterate. Around 35% of the females were matric and below and remainder were above matric to masters. Majority of participants had knowledge about the importance of dating scan in assessment of fetal viability 73.8% (n=295) followed by number of fetuses 70.0% (n=280). While least of study participants (10%) had knowledge of screening of down syndrome, other knowledge parameters were also poorly known by study population. About 23.6% of the females said that they never had dating scan in any pregnancy.
Conclusion: The majority of participants had significantly adequate knowledge regarding importance of dating scan for the detection of fetal viability. Moreover, significantly inadequate knowledge and practice was observed regarding getting it done for calculating accurate dating, congenital abnormalities and screening for Down’s syndrome through nuchal translucency.
Keywords: dating scan, knowledge, fetal, attitude, reproductive age, anomalies.