A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Knowledge and Practice Regarding Management of Minor Ailments During Pregnancy Among Third-Trimester Antenatal Mothers in a Selected Hospital, Shillong, Meghalaya

Ayantika Rakshit; Fahmida Farhin; Haphi Laplielad Kharnaior; KeishamSushibala Devi; Liza Boruah; Nitika Majaw; Rashmi Jha; Shah Numan; Shikha Vishwakama; Sunny Kumar; Ms. Karung Rosema Kom; Ms.Purabi Devi Bharali; Ms. Meenakshi Devi; Ms. Langhu Valentina

A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Knowledge and Practice Regarding Management of Minor Ailments During Pregnancy Among Third-Trimester Antenatal Mothers in a Selected Hospital, Shillong, Meghalaya

Author(s)	Ms. Ayantika Rakshit, Fahmida Farhin, Haphi Laplielad Kharnaior, KeishamSushibala Devi, Liza Boruah, Nitika Majaw, Rashmi Jha, Shah Numan, Shikha Vishwakama, Sunny Kumar, Ms. Karung Rosema Kom, Ms.Purabi Devi Bharali, Ms. Meenakshi Devi, Ms. Langhu Valentina
Country	India
Abstract	Minor ailments are prevalent physiological discomforts experienced by mothers during pregnancy and can adversely affect the welfare of pregnant women. Knowledge and appropriate practices for managing these ailments play an important role in reducing discomfort and promoting maternal health. Adequate awareness and proper self-care measures can help antenatal mothers effectively manage minor ailments and improve their quality of life during pregnancy. This cross-sectional, non-experimental study evaluated knowledge and practices for managing minor ailments during pregnancy among third-trimester mothers attending the Antenatal Out-Patient and In-Patient Departments of Ganesh Das Government Maternal and Child Hospital, Lawmali, Shillong, Meghalaya. The study was carried out among 116 third-trimester antenatal mothers. Data were collected from 27th April to 2nd May 2026 using a structured tool to evaluate the levels of knowledge and practice of the study participants on how to manage minor ailments in pregnancy. The findings revealed that out of 116 respondents, 61(52.59%) demonstrated good knowledge, 50 (43.10%) demonstrated average knowledge, and 5 (4.31%) demonstrated poor knowledge regarding the management of minor ailments during pregnancy, with a mean knowledge score of 11.47 ± 1.94. Concerning practice, 65 (56.03%) respondents had good practice, 47 (40.52%) had average practice, and 4 (3.45%) had poor practice, with a mean practice score of 17.75 ± 2.87. There was a statistically significant association between the knowledge level of the respondents and the number of ANC visits (χ² = 18.18, df = 6, p = 0.017). A statistically significant association was also found between the level of practice and the number of ANC visits (χ² = 36.90, df = 6, p < 0.001). However, no significant association was found between the selected maternal variables and the knowledge and practice levels of the respondents. The findings suggest that more than half of the third-trimester antenatal mothers possessed good knowledge and good practices regarding the management of minor ailments during pregnancy. The study further indicates that increased ANC visits contribute positively to improving the knowledge and practices of antenatal mothers. Therefore, strengthening antenatal care services and encouraging regular ANC visits may enhance mothers' awareness and behaviours on how to manage minor ailments in pregnancy.
Keywords	Minor ailments, pregnancy, knowledge, practice, antenatal mothers, third trimester, antenatal care
Field	Medical / Pharmacy
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-10-06

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A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Knowledge and Practice Regarding Management of Minor Ailments During Pregnancy Among Third-Trimester Antenatal Mothers in a Selected Hospital, Shillong, Meghalaya

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