The effect of pregnant women's knowledge of obstetric danger symptoms on health seeking behaviors

This study aimed to determine the effect of pregnant women's knowledge of obstetric danger signs on their healthcare-seeking behavior. Designed as a cross-sectional and descriptive study, the research was conducted between January and June 2024 at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Health Practice and Research Hospital with 359 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, Obstetric Characteristics Form, Obstetric Danger Signs Knowledge Assessment Form, and Healthcare-Seeking Behavior Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis. Findings revealed that 69.9% of pregnant women had sufficient knowledge of obstetric danger signs, with a mean score of 28.24. The most commonly recognized danger signs were vaginal bleeding (87.7%), premature rupture of membranes (86.4%), and seizures or fainting episodes. However, fatigue (84.4%), back pain (79.4%), and frequent nighttime urination (76.3%) were incorrectly classified as normal pregnancy symptoms. The mean score of the Healthcare-Seeking Behavior Scale was 38.71, indicating a moderate level of healthcare-seeking behavior. Knowledge scores significantly varied based on employment status, education level, spouse's education level, and family structure (p<0.01). Similarly, healthcare-seeking behavior scores differed significantly according to employment status, education level, spouse's education, and income level (p<0.05). However, age, place of residence, parity, and trimester were not statistically associated with either knowledge level or healthcare-seeking behavior (p>0.05).In conclusion, a significant relationship was found between pregnant women's knowledge of obstetric danger signs and their healthcare-seeking behavior, indicating that higher knowledge levels contribute to increased healthcare-seeking behavior. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted educational interventions, particularly for pregnant women with lower education and income levels, to enhance awareness and improve healthcare utilization.