Patient and Attendant Satisfaction With Services at Medical College Hospital in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Risk in pregnancy refers to the possibility of complications that are not expected to occur under normal conditions but already exist or occur during pregnancy. Anatomical, physiological, and psychological changes experienced during pregnancy create a potential risk for the health of pregnant women and fetus, because they disrupt the balance between health and disease []. Risk perception during pregnancy is defined as “feelings, thoughts, and awareness of pregnant women about possible harm to themselves and their babies” []. Risk perception during pregnancy is a complex process based on many personal, physiological, psychological, and cultural factors. In addition to these, previous experiences, adaptation to pregnancy, period when the risk occurs, social support sources, lack of knowledge, attitudes of pregnant women toward risks [], medical risk, psychological elements, clinical features of the risk, gestational age, and stances of health professionals are other factors associated with the level of risk perception [, ]. Risk perception may be perceived differently by each pregnant woman. Women make decisions based on their perception of whether their risk increases or decreases rather than the actual risk []. Risk perception is a strategy used to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity []. Pregnancy is a period when pregnant women and their partners avoid sexual intercourse due to wrong beliefs and attitudes about sexuality. False notions during pregnancy are that sexual intercourse can be dangerous, the penis can enter the uterine cavity, rupture the fetal membranes, and harm the fetus []. During pregnancy, not only beliefs and attitudes toward sexuality, but also anatomical, physiological, and spiritual changes experienced by women are also associated with sexual life during this period []. Biopsychosocial, physical, and hormonal changes during pregnancy are associated with physical pleasure and sexual activity in lives of women. It is stated that sexual desire, frequency of sexual intercourse, and sexual orgasm differ in pregnant women, especially when compared to the period prior to the pregnancy [, ]. It is reported that hormonal, physical, and psychological changes during pregnancy, personality traits, marital satisfaction of couples, and sexual beliefs and attitudes during pregnancy are associated with sexual health and a decrease in the frequency of sexual intercourse [–]. Research shows that there are positive beliefs as well as negative beliefs about sexuality during pregnancy. Maintaining a healthy sexual life during pregnancy will support marital satisfaction, prevent marital betrayal, and be positively associated with fetus health [, ]. Previous studies have examined sexual function, sexual beliefs, body image, and sexual quality of life during pregnancy [–]. However, less attention has been given to how pregnancy-related risk perception is associated with attitudes toward sexuality during pregnancy. This gap is important because perceived risk may shape women’s concerns, avoidance behaviors, and need for counselling, even when there is no medical contraindication to sexual intercourse. Understanding this relationship may provide useful evidence for midwives, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provide antenatal counselling. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between pregnancy risk perception and attitudes toward sexuality during pregnancy among pregnant women in Türkiye.