ABSTRACT
Background: The primary aim of antenatal care is to achieve a healthy mother and baby. Antenatal care helps to identify the complications and to remove anxiety and dread associated with delivery. Current study designed to assess knowledge, attitude and ante natal care practice among pregnant women attending to antenatal tertiary care hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 pregnant women attending antenatal care centre at department of obstetrics and genecology, Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore during June 2017 to June 2019 under Narayana Mathru Seva Pathakam. Face to face interview was conducted to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice using a structured questionnaire.Results: A total 86% belongs to 20-29 years age group and 71.4% belongs to multiverdia. 20.6% women responded that they had completed 3 antenatal visits, 26.6% are those who thought that at least more than 5 ANC checkup should be done during pregnancy. 96.1% pregnant responded that registration for antennal care and visits is essential. 87.2% responds to take iron and folate during pregnancy and 11% responds does not taken the same. 92% pregnant responded that tetanus toxoid (TT) should be given during pregnancy but 3.2% told don’t know. When they asked about resting period, 24.2% responded 5-6 hours, 35.4% responded 7-8 hours, 35.6% responded > 8 hours per day to rest they are taking. 55.8% pregnant responded that they had taken decision to give birth the baby in the hospital. 71.2% pregnant females reported that they knew about the danger signs during pregnancy. The reasons for not attending antenatal check-up were financial reasons, illiterate (15.4%), transport and unaware about ANC.Conclusions: Information, education and communication activities should be increased on ANC through community campaign and mass media to motivate women to utilize maternal care services.