Assessment of Knowledge Regarding Risk Factors Leading to Miscarriages among Pregnant Women in Balochistan

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of pregnant women in Balochistan regarding risk factors leading to miscarriages. A self-designed interview-based study was conducted on 376 pregnant patients attending the tertiary care hospitals of Quetta, particularly Bolan Medical Complex Hospital and Civil Hospital Quetta. The data collected on questionnaires was analyzed on SPSS version 20. Majority of the participants said that they knew about miscarriage. Most of them agreed that thickness of blood, diabetes, heredity reasons, uterus disorders, lack of folic acid, frequent pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, drugs during pregnancy and history of miscarriages can lead to miscarriage in mother. However, majority of the participants disagreed with the fact that thyroid disorders, age above 35 and tobacco consumption leads to miscarriage. The study indicates average knowledge in pregnant females in Quetta.  Thyroid disorders, age above 35, tobacco smoking, deficiency of folic acid and blood disorders can in fact lead to miscarriages. However, most of the participants did not know about this. Hence, it is strongly recommended that awareness must be created among the community towards the risk factors regarding miscarriages.