Assess the Awareness on Adherence to Self-Care Practices During Pregnancy Among Antenatal Mothers

Pregnancy is a critical period involving significant physical and emotional changes. Despite the proven benefits of antenatal care (ANC), many women—particularly in rural or underserved areas—do not adhere to recommended practices due to factors like poor awareness, limited access to healthcare, and socioeconomic constraints. This study explores awareness and adherence to these practices among antenatal mothers aiming to identify influencing factors and areas for improvement to support better maternal health. Statement of the problem: A study to assess the awareness on adherence to self-care practices during pregnancy among antenatal mothers at selected setting, Chennai. Objectives: 1. To assess the awareness on adherence to self-care practices during pregnancy among antenatal mothers. 2. To associate the awareness on adherence to self-care practices during pregnancy with demographic variables of antenatal mothers. Materials and Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive design, a total of 200 antenatal mothers from UCHC, Palavakkam, Chennai, were selected using a non-probability convenience sampling method. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 2.0. The results revealed that 28% of the mothers had low awareness, 30% had moderate awareness, and 42% had high awareness regarding self-care practices during pregnancy. Chi-square analysis showed a significant association between awareness levels and all demographic variables (p = 0.05). Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of targeted health education programs to enhance awareness and improve adherence to recommended self-care practices among pregnant women, particularly in rural areas.