AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE ON TORCH INFECTIONS AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINICS IN SOME SELECTED HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE NEW JUABENG MUNICIPALITY, A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

TORCH is a group of causative agents which causes congenital and prenatal infection, namely Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex virus. The aim of this study was to determine the awareness and knowledge on torch infections among women attending antenatal clinics in some selected health facilities in the New Juabeng Municipality. This was a prospective study that involved all pregnant women in the age group 18 - 59 years and at any gestational age that will be attending the antenatal clinicat the Koforidua Poly Clinic. A total of 150 study participants were involved in this study. The mean age was observed to be 30.16±8.36 years. Most of them were within the age category of 20 – 29 years 60(40.0%). Most had not heard about TORCH infections 101(67.3%). On how well they knew about TOCRH, majority had no idea 77(51.3%), 41(27.3%) were very well aware while 32(21.3%) had fair idea. More than half of the women said TORCH infections could be prevented 82(54.7%). Most women were not concerned about TORCH infections 64(42.7%); however, 41(27.3%) and 45(30.0%) were fairly and much concerned respectively. In this study, higher proportions of women who have formal occupation [34.62%, p-value = 0.043], adequate knowledge on TORCH infection [39.74%, p-value = <0.001], heard of TORCH infection [53.06%, p-value = <0.001], ever being treated of TORCH [64.52%, p-value = <0.001], had miscarriage [40.0%, p-value = 0.006], are aware of the importance of regular prenatal care [43.18%, pvalue = 0.002], ever discussed treatment option with a health worker [40.91%, p –value = 0.007] and received counselling/education about TORCH during pregnancy [48.8%, pvalue = <0.001] were found to be associated with positive TORCH infection status. However, all these proportions were statistically significant as p-value was lesser than 0.05.