The Level of Knowledge About Antenatal Care Among Women of Childbearing Age in the United Arab Emirates.

Introduction Antenatal care (ANC) refers to the care provided to pregnant women from conception to childbirth and is strongly associated with improved pregnancy outcomes. However, within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), limited recent data exist to address the level of awareness about ANC among women of childbearing age. This study aims to evaluate the level of practice and depth of knowledge about ANC among this demographic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among women in the UAE from different public locations in Sharjah, Dubai, and Ajman. A total of 426 responses were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, available in both Arabic and English, comprising 31 questions. The data included the participants' demographics, practices, attitudes, and general knowledge about ANC. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, USA). Results More than half (55.4%) of the 426 women who participated were students, and 49.8% held a bachelor's degree, while 54.0% were aged between 18 and 23 years old. Overall, 60.3% of the participants had previously heard about ANC, and the majority (94.1%) recognized its importance during pregnancy. Of the 110 women who had been pregnant, 52 (47.3%) reported attending ANC visits. The level of knowledge about ANC varied between good (39%), moderate (45%), and poor knowledge (16%). Higher levels of knowledge were observed in women with college degrees (p = 0.015), women employed in the healthcare sector (p = 0.001), multigravida women (p = 0.04), and women from higher-income families (p = 0.007). Knowledge level showed no association with age or marital status. 50% of the participants were unaware of the recommended dietary habits and weight gain during pregnancy, and only 16.3% correctly identified the proper timing for initiating folic acid intake during pregnancy. Conclusion While most participants had moderate and good knowledge about ANC, a significant proportion had never heard of these services. Awareness campaigns are crucial for addressing this gap and ensuring that all women of childbearing age in the UAE are well-informed about the importance of ANC, ultimately contributing to improved maternal and neonatal outcomes.