Effect of Antenatal Nursing Interventions on Knowledge, Attitudes and Coping Strategies of Pregnant Women who Detected Fetal Anomalies regarding Congenital Anomalies

Abstract

Background: Congenital anomalies represent a public health concern and the leading cause of \nmortality in developed and developing countries. Approximately 50% of all congenital anomalies \ncannot be linked to a specific cause. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of antenatal nursing \ninterventions on knowledge, attitudes, and coping strategies of pregnant women who detected fetal \nanomalies regarding congenital anomalies. Subjects and Methods: Design: A quasi-experimental \ndesign was utilized in this study. Setting: This study was conducted at the antenatal clinic at Beni\x02 \nSuef University Hospital. Sample: A total of 75 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic and \ndetected fetal anomalies. Four tools were used for data collection: (1) A structured interviewing \nquestionnaire, (2) Assessment of pregnant women knowledge about the congenital anomalies, (3) \nAttitude scale this tool evaluating attitudes of pregnant women towards how detected fetal \ncongenital anomalies, and (4) Parental Coping Strategies Inventory (PCSI). Results: The mean age \nof the participating women were 25.9±5.4 years. After the program, the participating women s \nknowledge of congenital anomalies regarding types, risk factors, and prevention have raised \n(p < 0.05), and the attitudes towards having a child with anomaly were improved, chances of \nrehabilitation from 0.40±0.49 to 0.77±0.42, and leading a normal life from 0.64±0.48 to 0.89±0.31 \n(p < 0.05). A statistically significant improvement was found between the knowledge, attitude, and \nthe Coping Strategies Inventory of the studied pregnant women as pre/ immediate post one month of \nantenatal nursing intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Implementation of antenatal nursing \nintervention for pregnant women regarding congenital anomalies had a positive effect on improving \ntheir knowledge and attitude. Recommendations: Healthcare providers should encourage mothers \nto use coping strategies that are likely to be more effective. Further studies should focus on the \nquality of life and the coping strategies used by women with children who have congenital \nanomalies.