Perceived risk of pregnancy and health seeking behaviour of women of reproductive age in Mbozi district.

A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in Mbozi district, from May to June 2002. The main objective of the study was to determine the perceived risks of pregnancy and health seeking behaviour of women of reproductive age in Mbozi district. Women were selected using a multistage sampling technique involving divisions, wards, hamlets and households. Information was obtained by interview using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 304 women in the reproductive age group, both pregnant and non-pregnant, but who had delivered at least once were interviewed. The results show that 82.2% of interviewees perceived that pregnant women are at risk of developing complications at any time during pregnancy, delivery or postpartum and 76.2% perceived that they are at risk themselves of developing complications. They also knew the complications that could arise such as vaginal bleeding, oedema of the lower limbs, high blood pressure, anaemia and fever. It was also found that 75.7% knew that appropriate obstetric care is obtained from the health workers. Only 24.3% mention they could get appropriate obstetric care from others like Traditional Birth Attendants, Traditional healers, elderly relatives etc. With regards to who made decisions regarding when and where to seek obstetric care, 46.1 % said their husbands made the decision, 34.5% said their relatives made the decision and 19.4% decided themselves. Regarding appropriate time to seek maternity care, only 36.1% said they would seek health care immediately once a complication develops, but 60.9% said they would employ the wait and see approach. This study shows that women understand the potential obstetric complications and where to get appropriate care when a complication arises, but the main problem is, majority of women cannot make decisions on their own when complications arise hence they delay in seeking appropriate obstetric care. Efforts should be made to sensitise and educate men and the community at large on the need of early seeking of appropriate obstetric care when complications arise. Efforts should also be made to empower women so that they can make their own decisions regarding their health.