POSTPARTUM WOMEN'S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PRENATAL CARE AND TETANUS VACCINATION AT THE FUNDA MATERNAL AND CHILD CENTER, ANGOLA

Abstract

Introduction: Monitoring women during pregnancy is one of the key factors in ensuring maternal and child health. Objective: To understand the knowledge of postpartum women about the importance of prenatal consultations and tetanus vaccination for pregnant women at the Maternal and Child Center of Funda during the third trimester of 2022. Method: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 90 postpartum women. A questionnaire applied to postpartum women was used, consisting of open and closed questions, applied in an open and flexible interview. The data were entered and organized in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using the statistical software Epi Info. Results: 24% of the postpartum women were between 16 and 24 years old, 40% were in a stable union, and mostly had a primary school education. Of the 90 postpartum women investigated, 30% did not attend any prenatal consultations, primarily citing difficulties in accessing care and 43% reporting long waiting times. Only 36% of postpartum women had knowledge of the importance of the tetanus vaccine, and 26% did not receive vaccines as recommended by Angola’s National Vaccination Program. 68% of the postpartum women lacked knowledge about the risks of alcohol consumption, while 91% were unaware of the risks of using non-prescribed medications and smoking. In addition, 54% did not regularly attend health education sessions. Home births accounted for 58% of deliveries, and 47% of postpartum women reported using plant sap as the most common method of treating the umbilical stump after birth. Conclusion: The study identified conditions that favor the occurrence of neonatal tetanus due to the high number of postpartum women who did not seek prenatal consultations, as well as the continued use of plant sap to treat the umbilical stump.