Abstract:
Background: Lack of knowledge about Rh incompatibility is one barrier to the early
prevention of Rh disease in Ethiopia. There is no previous study done on knowledge level
toward Rh incompatibility and associated factors among pregnant women in Wolaita zone,
southern Ethiopia.
Objective : The aim of this study is to assess knowledge level toward Rh-incompatibility and
associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Wolaita zone Public
Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia, 2022.
Method: Facility based cross sectional study design was employed in Wolaita zone at four
selected public hospitals from August 1-30 2022. A total of 422 study participants were
selected using a systematic random sampling technique.. Data were coded and entered in to
Epidata version 4.6 software and analysed using SPSS version 23. A binary logistic
regression analyses were performed, and variables with a P value of less than 0.25 in
bivariable analysis were entered into a multivariable analysis. Adjusted odds ratio(AOR)
with 95% confidence interval was used to measure association of independent variables with
the outcome variable. Level of significance was declared at P <0.05. Data were presented
in tables, graphs and texts.
Results:- From 422, 414 respondents completed the survey with a response rate of 98.1% .
The study revealed that 35.3% [95% CI: (31-40)] of women have good knowledge about Rh
incompatibility. Maternal education status with above secondary [AOR=5.62;95% CI
(2.07,15.22)], multigravida women [AOR=2.85; 95% CI (1.50, 5.44)], screening blood group
at the antenatal care unit[AOR=2.11; 95% CI (1.11, 3.98)], early counselling about rhesus
status and Rhincompatibility[AOR = 7.08; 95% CI (3.84,13.05)], and a positive attitude of
women [AOR = 4.14; 95% CI (1.62,10.58)] were significantly associated with the knowledge
level of pregnant women toward Rh incompatibility.
Conclusion: - Majority of pregnant women attending antenatal care in Wolaita zone public
hospital had poor level of knowledge toward Rh incompatibility. Therefore, all responsible
bodies should focus on increasing pregnant women's knowledge of Rh incompatibility and on
those factors significantly associated with knowledge of RH incompatibility
