In the present cross-sectional study, a self-administered, structured questionnaire which was validated and used in a study conducted in North Carolina was used. 12 This questionnaire contained 19 questions Significance for public health Preterm labour and low birth weight are considered to be one of the greatest problems in obstetrical medicine and are one of the most prevalent risk factors for death during the neonatal period. A Cronbach’s alpha of 0.665 was observed when all three groups were added up. This value was increased to a maximum of 0.680. The data from the questionnaires were analysed by the SPSS statistical software (version PASW 18), using frequency descriptive measurements along with Chi-square and spearman correlation tests.