An Investigation into the Quality of History Taken During Antenatal Care in Selected Clinics of Lundazi District – Zambia

Quality Antenatal care (ANC) is premised on early identification of risk factors and timely treatment to prevent maternal and neonatal mortalities. This facility based cross- sectional study evaluated the quality of history taken during Antenatal Care provision in selected clinics of Lundazi district, Zambia. Data was collected through Focus Group Discussion with ANC users and through observation during ANC visits. This study found that ANC history taken, lacked risk identification as illustrated by 68.3% of clients who reported not to have been probed on previous hypertensive disorders, still births, Antepartum haemorrhage and postpartum haemorrhage. Out of 12 clients with raised Diastolic Blood pressure of 110 and above, only 4(33.3%) of the clients were asked whether they had a headache and 5(42%) if they had experienced convulsions. None (0%) of those clients were asked whether they experienced epigastric pain, blurred vision or dizziness- to rule out pre-eclampsia. 70% of the clients were not asked how they felt from the previous visit to current visit and whether they felt fetal movements. Inadequate history taken at initial and subsequent ANC visits reduces opportunities for early identification and treatment of risk factors leading to maternal and fetal complications. Strengthening the quality of history taken during Antenatal contacts, improves provision of quality care to pregnant women.