A Cross-Sectional Study of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness amongst Pregnant Women attending Ante-natal Clinic in a Tertiary Hospital.

BACKGROUND

Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) is a key component of safe motherhood programs to reduce maternal mortality. It promotes active preparation and decision-making for delivery by pregnant women and their families.

OBJECTIVE

The study determined knowledge of danger signs and practice of BPCR among pregnant women.

METHODS

The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 400 pregnant women attending Antenatal clinic at a tertiary health facility in Nigeria. Semi-structured, selfadministered questionnaire was used in collecting data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, sample mean, frequency tables were done. Inferential statistics were used to test for associations between categorical variables. P-value < 0.05.

RESULTS

The mean age of the respondents was 29.7±4.2, with most respondents between the age bracket of 21-30 years. About 384 (96.0%) of respondents had post-secondary or tertiary education. About 297 (74.3%) of respondents had good knowledge of warning and danger signs during pregnancy. On the overall less than half 187 (46.8%) of respondents had good practices of BPCR. Knowledge of danger signs and practice of BRCR was significantly associated with the level of education p-value <0.05.

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that most respondents in the study area had good knowledge about the danger signs in pregnancy but their practices of birth preparedness was below average. More emphasis should be put on the practice of BPCR while educating pregnant women in health facilities and government should create enabling environment to achieve this.