Women’s Knowledge and Perception of Teratogens and Their Effect in First Trimester of Pregnancy in Antenatal Care Units of Secondary Health Facilities in Kebbi State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and perception of teratogens among pregnant women attending antenatal care units in secondary health facility in kebbi state. A descriptive survey design using a probability sampling technique was employed and 120 patients were selected using a questionnaire as an instrument for data collection. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics, the results was presented in frequency distribution tables and percentages. On knowledge and perception of the respondents on teratogens effect, Findings shows that about 48.3 % of the respondents were aware of the teratogens; while about 51.7 % were not aware of the teratogens and their effect. On the substances that are teratogens in nature 35 % said are the most common teratogens,34.2 % of the respondents said dust is the common teratogens they know.meanwhile;30.8% of the respondents said alcohol is the dangerous teratogens. It can be noted that majority of the respondents (49.2 %) takes drugs on prescription only. While 24.1% takes their drugs on non-prescription bases. 13.3 % of the respondent do smokes and also 13.3% of the respondents keep appointment with A.N.C visits. Also those respondents that visits hospital for any new complains were 17%, while those respondents that use herbal medicine to treat any ailment were 83%.. In conclusion there is no doubt that menace of teratogens effect among pregnant women is increasingly becoming a major public health problem in our society.it was recommended that all pregnant women especially primis should be cautioned extensively about teratogens substances and their consequent effect. This project has shown that the level of knowledge of teratogenic substances and their effect in first trimester of pregnancy is low in secondary health facility in kebbi state. KEY WORDS KNOWLEDGE: information or learning gain through experience or education. PERCEPTION: a way of regarding, understanding or interpreting something. TERATOGEN: any substance, agent, or process that induces the formation of developmental abnormalities in a fetus. TRIMESTER: any one of three successive three-month periods into which a pregnancy is divided. EFFECT: a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause. PREGNANCY: the condition or period of being pregnant. WOMAN: an adult human female. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/82-06 Publication date: November 30th 202