Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Systematic Prophylaxis of Rhesus Alloimmunization in the Third Quarter of Pregnancy by Health Care Providers of Hospitals and Health Centers of Parakou (Benin) in 2017

Abstract

Objective: This scientific research work aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of systematic prophylaxis of rhesus alloimmunization during the third quarter of pregnancy in the city of Parakou during 2017. Materials and methods: It was a descriptive, cross-sectional and analytical study carried out from March 15 to June 15, 2017, among gynecologists, midwives and general practitioners, through implementation of pregnancy monitoring in Parakou. Results: The health care providers’ mean age was 38 ± 6.3 years. For 5.5% of cases, the health care providers interviewed had knowledge of the latest recommendations for clinical practices as far as prophylaxis of alloimmunization rhesus is concerned. 95.4% of health care providers did not approve the systematicity of prophylaxis because they considered that they did not have sufficient information’s to justify that practice. None of them prescribed systematically injection of 300 μg of anti-D immunoglobulin (Ig) between 27 and 29 weeks of amenorrhea to rhesus negative patients. And only 1.8% of them had indicated that prevention of rhesus alloimmunization is regulated by a referenced protocol in their health centers. Occupational category appeared to be a critical factor associated with health care providers’ knowledge and their approval of the systematic character of that injection during the third quarter of pregnancy (p<0.001). Conclusion: Health care providers have an insufficient or little knowledge of the latest Recommendations for clinical practices. They should benefit from Continuing Medical Education (CME) i.e. regular training courses in order to enhance their knowledge and professional skills. In addition, a national reference system should be put in place for systematic prophylaxis of Rhesus alloimmunization during the third quarter of pregnancy.