Knowledge and Awareness about Obesity Complications in Pregnancy among Reproductive Women

Background: obesity in general predisposes expected to various noncommunicable diseases but its awareness in regards to the complications posed by it in reproductive women is underseen.

Methods: cross sectional study using an structured questionnaire.

Goal: To access the knowledge and awareness about complications of obesity in pregnancy among reproductive women

Statistical Analysis Used: Data was entered in excel spreadsheet and analysed using SPSS version 16.

Results: Majority of the participants [129 (86%)] knew that obesity affects reproductive health causing problem problems like just gestational diabetes mellitus GDM [ 136 (90.6%)], difficulties during labour, higher Chance of Caesarean [91(60.6)] section, Increased risk for hypertension [120 (80%)] infertility [ 53 (35.3%)], during pregnancy. Almost all of them know That obesity can increase problems in pregnancy for both mother and for the baby. Majority of them we are not sure if obesity causes increased chance of Foetal malformations [75 (50.2%)] Increased bleeding after delivery [103 (68.8%)] Most of them don’t know that obesity can cause increased bleeding after delivery, stillbirth [125 (83.3%)], miscarriage [111(74%)], difficulties in Ultrasound examination of the abdomen [81 (54%) ]Most of them thought that obesity does not cause difficulties in measuring BP [79 (52.6)], delivery of big baby [98 (65.3%) ], premature delivery [56 (37.3%)].

Conclusion: Generating Awareness about obesity and its complications in pregnancy is required to prevent those complications in future and bring behavioural and lifestyle modification for sustainability in the long run.