Vaginal Hygiene and Pregnancy Outcomes among Antenatal Attendees in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Maintaining vaginal hygiene during pregnancy is essential for preventing infections and promoting positive pregnancy outcomes. This study examined vaginal hygiene and pregnancy outcomes among antenatal attendees in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 6,100 registered pregnant women attending antenatal clinics between January and December 2023 at primary healthcare facilities in the metropolis. This figure was obtained from the Kwara State Ministry of Health records. A sample of 566 respondents was selected using stratified, purposive, proportionate, and convenience sampling techniques. A researcher-designed questionnaire, validated by experts, was used for data collection. For participants with limited literacy, trained research assistants administered the instrument orally to ensure full participation. The reliability coefficient obtained was 0.86. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and ANOVA at a 0.05 significance level. Results revealed that (i) knowledge of vaginal hygiene was generally low, with mean scores below the benchmark of 1.5; (ii) there was a significant difference in knowledge based on age (F_{(2, 563}) = 5835.56; p < 0.05), with younger women demonstrating higher awareness; and (iii) a significant difference existed based on educational level (F_{(3, 562)} = 657.33; p < 0.05), with those having higher education showing greater knowledge. The study concluded that age and educational level significantly influence knowledge of vaginal hygiene in the study area. It recommended age-specific and education-sensitive interventions through visual aids, community outreach, and literacy-friendly materials to improve awareness and pregnancy outcomes.