A Cross Sectional Study on Awareness of Risk Factors of Maternal Obesity among Women in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Background: There has been a rise in prevalence of obesity all around the world. Obesity during pregnancy has various adverse outcomes on both the child and mother. Maternal affects include pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational Diabetes, pre-eclampsia and foetal outcomes includes macrosomia, pre term birth and obstructed labour. Aim: Of this study is to assess the knowledge and awareness of complications of obesity during pregnancy among women. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional descriptive questionnaire study conducted among 384 women attending the out-patient’s department of obstetrics and gynaecology during a time period of January 2021 to June 2021. Results: Average level of awareness was found among the participants. 53.3% women were aware and 46.6% participants were not aware of the adverse effects of maternal obesity. Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that half of the participants were unaware, hence perinatal counselling and awareness camps needs to be conducted to raise the awareness and knowledge levels among general population for a healthier society.