ASSESSMENT OF THE AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION OF ULTRASOUND SCAN IN ANTENATAL CARE AMONG COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS IN THE REMOTE AREAS OF SOKOTO.

Abstract

ntroduction: Antenatal care (ANC) plays a crucial role in safeguarding the health of mothers and their unborn babies. One of the most valuable tools in modern antenatal practice is the ultrasound scan, which assists in monitoring fetal development and detecting potential complications early. Despite its proven benefits, access to ultrasound services in many remote areas of Sokoto State remains inadequate, and awareness among health providers and pregnant women is still limited. Objectives: To assess the level of awareness of Community Health Workers about the use of ultrasound scans in antenatal care and to examine the perception and beliefs of Community Health Workers regarding the importance of ultrasound in antenatal care. Material and method: A prospective cross-sectional design was employed, and data were gathered from 100 community health workers (CHWs) through structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, including means, frequencies, and percentages, were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Results: A total of 100 Community Health Workers (CHWs) from selected remote areas of Sokoto state participated in the study, achieving a 100% response rate. Findings showed that 86% of the respondents heard of ultrasound scans, and 62% had received some form of training on their use in antenatal care. However, 52% indicate that ultrasound services were not available in their facilities, followed, by the perception, 60% strongly agreed that ultrasound is important in antenatal care, and 66% agreed it helps in early detection of complications. The majority (76%) believed ultrasound scan are safe for pregnant women, while 46% highlighted cost and distance are barriers to access. Challenges identified included lack of awareness among pregnant women (42%) and inadequate infrastructure (10%). Notably, 68% of respondents believed that increasing access to ultrasound services would significantly improve antenatal care delivery in rural communities. Conclusion: The study concludes that while community health workers (CHWs) in remote areas of Sokoto State exhibit commendable awareness and positive attitudes toward the use of ultrasound scans in antenatal care, there remain substantial challenges limiting its effective utilization. Addressing issues such as inadequate facilities, insufficient training, and poor infrastructure is essential to fully integrate ultrasound technology into rural antenatal health services, thereby improving maternal and fetal health outcomes. Keyword: Ultrasound Scan, Antenatal Care, Community Health Workers, Awareness, Perception viii