Browsing by Author "Zimba, Sylvester Damalekani"

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    Knowledge and perceptions of pregnant women on the dangers of Pica during pregnancy at Dwangwa health center in Kasungu district.
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2009-12-04) Zimba, Sylvester Damalekani
    Pica is a bizarre craving for and compulsive, secret chewing of food or ingestion of nonfood substances that usually cause problems in pregnancy such as bowel obstruction, dental injury, miscarriages, severe nausea and can also affect fetal development. Pica occurs as a result of physiological changes that take place in pregnant women. The purpose of the study was to explore knowledge and perceptions of pregnant women on the dangers of pica during pregnancy. The researcher used a descriptive quantitative design and data collection was done using semi-structured questionnaire which was administered by the researcher. To ensure reliability of the results, a pilot study was done and short falls of the data collecting tool were corrected. Thirty pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Dwangwa Health Center in Kasungu District were recruited as study participants through random sampling. Health Belief Model (HBM) developed by Rosenstock and Hochbaum guided the study. The researcher took into consideration all ethical issues. The data collected from the participants was analysed using word excel package. Findings The findings of the study are being disseminated through written reports to Kamuzu College of Nursing libraries, Kasungu District Hospital, Dwangwa of Health Center and to the Ministry of Health. The findings will also be disseminated at local and international seminars.