Assessment of knowledge and attitude of pregnant women towards antenatal ultrasound in University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital at antenatal care clinic, Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Obstetric ultrasound is one of the most important advances in antenatal tests. Despite the importance of knowing the knowledge status of ultrasound and the category of attitude, there is no similar study done in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess knowledge and attitude and associated factors toward ultrasound examination at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Northwest Ethiopia from May 15, 2022, to Jun 30, 2022. Data was collected and transferred from the Open data Kit server and analyzed using STATA version 14. The strength of the association, presented using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and p-value ≤0.05, is considered to declare statistically significant variables. RESULTS: A total of 422 pregnant women participated, with a response rate of 100%. Of the total pregnant women, only 39% of them are knowledgeable about obstetric ultrasound whereas 52% of them have a favorable attitude. Being a housewife, government employee, and private employee (AOR = 17, 95% CI = 2.12, 151), (AOR = 10, 95% CI = 1.2, 85) and (AOR = (13, 95% CI = 1.5, 115), respectively were associated positively with knowledge about ultrasound. However, residing in a rural (AOR = 0.07; 95%CI = 0.02, 0.21), never been pregnant before (AOR = 0.59 95% CI = 0.38, 0.94), and having information (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1, 2.9) were negatively associated with knowledge about ultrasound. Whereas, attaining primary education (AOR = 2.61; 95%CI = 1.1, 6.4) was positively associated with favorable attitudes while living in rural areas was negatively associated with a favorable attitude (AOR = 0.42; 95%CI = 0.18, 0.97). CONCLUSION: In this study, knowledge and attitude about ultrasound among pregnant women in Gondar City are low. Residence, occupation, being pregnant before, and having information were significantly associated factors of knowledge. While residence and educational status of the respondents were significant factors of attitude. Therefore, health information about obstetric ultrasound shall be given to women who live in rural areas, women who are students, merchants and farmers, illiterate, and primigravida.