Awareness of the Causes and the Prevention of Antepartum Haemorrhage Among Antenatal Women in University of Benin Teaching Hospital

Antepartum haemorrhage (APH) remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where delayed recognition and inadequate preventive practices contribute substantially to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study assessed the awareness of the causes and prevention of antepartum haemorrhage, examined the preventive practices adopted, and identified factors influencing these practices among antenatal women attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. Using a systematic random sampling technique, 213 questionnaires were distributed, of which 203 were properly completed and analyzed, representing a response rate of 95.3%. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0, with descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis performed at a 5% level of significance. The findings showed that 117 (57.6%) respondents demonstrated good awareness of the causes and prevention of APH, while 86 (42.4%) had poor awareness (grand mean = 1.6). Similarly, 122 (60.1%) respondents exhibited good preventive practices, whereas 81 (39.9%) demonstrated poor practices (grand mean = 2.7). Accessibility and affordability of healthcare services, quality of antenatal health education, health system characteristics, occupation, income, and family support were identified as major determinants influencing preventive practices (grand mean = 3.1). Chi-square analysis revealed a statistically significant association between awareness and preventive practices (χ² = 7.214, df = 1, p = 0.007), indicating that women with better awareness were significantly more likely to adopt appropriate preventive behaviours. Although the overall levels of awareness and preventive practices were satisfactory, important knowledge gaps remain regarding specific risk factors and clinical features of antepartum haemorrhage. The study recommends strengthening targeted antenatal health education programmes, improving access to quality maternal healthcare services, and promoting continuous public health awareness to enhance preventive behaviours and reduce the burden of antepartum haemorrhage among pregnant women.