Myths and practices during antenatal care among married women of selected rural and urban areas of district Ludhiana, Punjab: A comparative study

There are many myths prevalent in Indian scenario. Sometimes, these hinder the provision of antenatal services and ultimately effect antenatal practices.A descriptive (comparative) design with convenience sampling technique 100 married women were selected. Structured questionnaire and structured checklist were used. Analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority of married women 86% of urban area and 76% of rural area were logician while only 14% from urban area and 24% from rural area were superstitious. About 78% of urban and 64% of rural married women had excellent practices. The mean scores of myths during antenatal care were higher (67.80±7.96) among urban married women as compared to rural (65.18±6.07) and it was found to be statistically non-significant (p>0.05). Urban married women had good practices during antenatal care (32.4±2.17) as compared to rural (31.4±2.35). This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Association of myths during antenatal care was statistically tested and found to be significant with no. of abortions.
Conclusion: It is concluded that urban married women had better practices during antenatal care as compared to rural married women(p<0.05).