Knowledge of Maternal Health Complications: A Critical Analysis Among Pregnant Women in Bangladesh

TL;DR

Pregnant women in Bangladesh have low knowledge of maternal health complications, with significant differences based on age, education, and region.

Contribution

This study identifies sociodemographic and regional disparities in maternal complication knowledge using a nationally representative survey in Bangladesh.

Findings

Only 17.3% of pregnant women recognized three or more maternal danger signs.

Women aged 30+, with secondary education, and from urban areas had higher knowledge.

Chittagong and Sylhet divisions showed significantly lower awareness compared to Dhaka.

Abstract

Despite notable reductions in Bangladesh’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR), maternal deaths remain high, with many attributed to preventable obstetric complications. Timely recognition of maternal complications during pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum is crucial, yet maternal knowledge remains limited. This study explored pregnant women’s knowledge of maternal complications in Bangladesh and predictors of knowledge acquisition. We analyzed data from 5,625 currently pregnant women using the nationally representative 2016 Bangladesh Maternal Mortality and Health Care Survey (BMMS). Knowledge of maternal complications was assessed based on the spontaneous mention of at least three danger signs across pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum periods. Using a conceptual framework grounded in Andersen’s behavioral model, multivariable Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions were conducted to identify predictors of knowledge. Survey weights and clustering were accounted for in all analyses. Only 17.3% of pregnant women demonstrated sufficient knowledge of maternal complications. Knowledge varied significantly by age, education, and region. Women aged 30 and above, with secondary education or higher, and from urban areas were more likely to recognize key danger signs. Regional disparities were pronounced, with women in Chittagong and Sylhet divisions displaying significantly lower awareness compared to those in Dhaka. The study revealed low awareness of obstetric danger signs among pregnant women in Bangladesh, with substantial sociodemographic and regional disparities. Targeted interventions, particularly those focused on education, rural outreach, and antenatal care (ANC) counseling, are urgently needed to bridge the knowledge gap. Additionally, enhancing timely care-seeking may contribute to efforts to reduce maternal mortality in Bangladesh.

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