ATTITUDES OF PREGNANT WOMEN TOWARDS SEXUAL INTERCOURSE DURING PREGNANCY AT FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, MAKURDI
Keywords:
Attitude, Pregnant Women, Sex, Childbearing AgeAbstract
This study investigated the attitudes of pregnant women towards sexual intercourse during pregnancy at federal medical centre, Makurdi. The study employed the descriptive research design. The Taro Yamane Formula was used to select a sample of 200 respondents from a target population of 400 pregnant women which were used to collect relevant data. Data were collected through a questionnaire which was analyzed and presented using frequency, tables and percentages. The significance of this study will help healthcare providers to direct communication during prenatal consultations in order to ensure better sexual fulfilment during pregnancy. Also, it will help maternal health planners and policymakers with programs that may enhance the attitude of pregnant women towards sex during pregnancy. In addition, it will add to academic relevance. Findings from the study revealed that sex during pregnancy is physically awkward, could harm the fetus and lead to contracting infection, is discomforting, and could lead to a rupture of the membrane. Also, nausea, physical awkwardness, fear of harming the fetus and infection, fatigue, and cultural norms and myths are factors influencing attitude towards sex during pregnancy among pregnant women. In addition, findings revealed that, sex during pregnancy enhances spousal emotional and physical intimacy, boosts health during pregnancy, prepares women for childbirth, improves pelvic floor strength and enhances blood circulation, eases delivery and accelerates postpartum recovery. The study recommended that there should be prior and adequate sex education for sexual partners on sexuality during pregnancy and marriage counselors in conjunction with various health workers should organize seminars, workshops and symposia on sexual intercourse during pregnancy. The study had some limitation that include: Data on attitude of pregnant women towards sex during pregnancy among pregnant women were obtained from respondents through self-administered questionnaires, rather than observation. Also, response bias and social desirability bias. In addition, the study did not include the healthcare givers at Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Benue State. The healthcare givers interact with different categories of women and are in a good position to equally give accurate data.
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