Pregnancy Risk Perception and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Health Centers in Jabi Tehnan District, Amhara, Northwestern Ethiopia, 2021.

Background: Pregnancy risk perception affects a pregnant woman's decision about health care services such as prenatal care, place of birth, choices about medical interventions, adherence to medical procedures, and recommendations. Therefore, the study is aimed at assessing pregnancy risk perception and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at health centers in Jabi Tehnan District.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 mothers attending ANC at health centers in the Jabi Tehnan District from April 1 to 30, 2021. Data was collected through a face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire which was developed according to the health belief model. The logistic regression model was used using an adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI and pvalue < 0.05 to declare significance and associations.

Result: Four hundred twenty four (424) pregnant women were interviewed of which nearly half of the respondents 48% (43.2%, 52.7%) had good pregnancy risk perception. Women who had a history of obstetric complications (AOR: 95% CI = 3.44 : 1.73, 6.83), those who knew at least one pregnancy danger sign (AOR: 95% CI = 5.22, 2.46, 11.07), pregnant women who had a bad obstetric history (AOR: 95% CI = 2.23 : 1.13, 4.41), and knowing women who died due to pregnancy-related complications (AOR: 95% CI = 2.85 : 1.45, 5.60) were more likely to have good perception towards pregnancy risk compared to their counterparts.

Conclusion: Obstetric complications, awareness of pregnancy danger signs, bad obstetric history, and known women who died due to pregnancy-related complications were found to be significantly associated with pregnancy risk perception.