IMPACT OF ULTRASOUND AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES ON MATERNAL FOETAL ATTACHMENT IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Background: Maternal foetal attachment is manifested in behaviours that demonstrate care and commitment to the foetus. Ultrasound decreases maternal anxiety and confers psychological benefits following a reassuring sonogram. Maternal-foetal attachment is affected by many socio-demographic factors which include maternal age, occupation, educational level, race, marriage duration, ethnicity, Religion, income status, pregnancy planning, and identification of the foetal gender Aim: This study was aimed at assessing the effect of ultrasound and sociodemographic factors on maternal foetal attachment during pregnancy. Method: A prospective study was conducted from November 2019 to March 2020. A convenient sampling method was employed and included 404 pregnant women aged 18-45 years old in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters. The data were collected using a maternal foetal attachment scale questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out at a p-value < 0.05. Result: The score of the maternal foetal attachment scale was greater with post ultrasound than the pre ultrasound. There was a statistically significant difference between the pre and post ultrasound maternal foetal attachment scale (p=0.000). A statistically significant difference was observed in the maternal foetal attachment across the different ethnic groups (p=0.000), planned and unplanned pregnancy (p=0.000). Conclusion: This study revealed that ultrasound scan has an influence on maternal foetal attachment, planned pregnancy. Hausa, Bandawa and Jenjo were found to be more attached to their foetuses.