ABSTRACT
Background: Every year more than half a million women die and many millions more suffer disabilities from pregnancy and pregnancy related causes in developing countries. India accounts 20 percent of global maternal deaths, in spite of advancement of public health and medical technology. Many of the maternal deaths could be prevented with well-known intervention such as antenatal care and skilled attendant at birth. Objective: To determine the effect of education on antenatal care among pregnant women. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among pregnant women who came to ante natal clinic of obstetrics department of Rohilkhand medical college, Bareilly during January-March 2014 by using pre-designed, pretested schedule. A total of 300 pregnant women were clinically examined. Written consent was taken. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS Version 17. Result: In present study 69% women were literate and 88% their husbands were literate. The overall 83.7% antenatal care was found in which 66.3% were regular. 90.8% antenatal care found among literate women while 67.7% among illiterate. Regular antenatal care was more (76.3%) among literate women. Conclusion: Low level of awareness and poor interest about antenatal care was found among illiterate women. They were not conscious about regular antenatal care, tetanus toxoid immunization, iron folic acid supplementation and extra diet during pregnancy.