Birth preparedness and complication readiness among recently delivered women in chamwino district, central Tanzania: a cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundUnacceptably high maternal mortality rates remain a challenge in developing countries such as Tanzania. Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness is among the key interventions that can reduce maternal mortality. Despite this, its status in Tanzania is not well documented. We assessed the practice and determinants of Birth preparedness and complication readiness among recently delivered women in Chamwino district, Central Tanzania.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted to women who delivered two years prior to survey in January 2014 at Chamwino district, Tanzania. Woman was considered as prepared for birth and its complication if she reported at least three of these; know expected date of delivery, saved money, identified a skilled birth attendant/health facility, mode of transport and Identified two compatible blood donors. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed at P value < 0.05 level of significance.ResultsWe interviewed 428 women whose median age (IQR) was 26.5 (22–33) years. About 249 (58.2 %) of the respondents were considered as prepared for birth and its complications. After controlling for confounding and clustering effect, significant determinants of birth preparedness and complication readiness were found to be maternal education (AOR = 2.26, 95 % CI; 1.39, 3.67), spouse employment (AOR = 2.18, 95 % CI; 1.46, 3.25), booking at ANC (AOR = 2.03, 95 % CI; 1.11, 3.72), Four or more antenatal visits, (AOR = 1.94, 95 % CI; 1.17, 3.21) and knowledge of key danger signs (AOR = 4.16, 95 % CI; 2.32, 7.45). Prepared for birth was found to be associated with institutional delivery (AOR = 2.45, 95 % CI; 1.12, 5.34).ConclusionThe proportion of women who prepared for birth and its complications were found to be low. District reproductive and child health coordinator should emphasis on early and frequent antenatal care visits, since they were among predictors of birth preparedness and complication readiness.

Effect of a participatory multisectoral maternal and newborn intervention on birth preparedness and knowledge of maternal and newborn danger signs among women in Eastern Uganda: a quasi-experiment study

“…Studies conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa have reported low levels of maternal and newborn care knowledge and birth preparedness practices among women [6,14–17]. In Eastern Uganda, a study revealed that only 25% of respondents had at least three components of the birth plan [10], while in rural communities of Western Uganda, only 19% had knowledge of three or more key danger signs during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period [11].…”

Factors influencing knowledge and practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness in sub-saharan Africa: a narrative review of cross-sectional studies

“…23 Similarly, in Chamwino area, the majority of the mothers (53% of 575) were within the cohort of 21-29 years of age; although more than 70% of them completed ANC course, 69% had no knowledge of any danger sign. 15 In northern Nigeria, higher age (>30) of male partners was a better predictor of participation and support to spouse during maternity care. 19 They had better awareness on BP although not on CR, than men aged 30 and below.…”

“…Approximately 59% had knowledge on five key components of BP/CR. 15 Women who had formal education in Chamwino district, Tanzania were two times more likely to have knowledge on BP/CR than uneducated women. 15 About 67% of Malawian mothers who participated in the study had attained primary school education but were unable to identify key danger signs in pregnancy.…”

“…15 Women who had formal education in Chamwino district, Tanzania were two times more likely to have knowledge on BP/CR than uneducated women. 15 About 67% of Malawian mothers who participated in the study had attained primary school education but were unable to identify key danger signs in pregnancy. 21 A study involving postnatal women in Accra, Ghana, 66% and 56% of women and partners respectively had secondary school level education whilst 7% had no formal education.…”

“…16 Overall age was a good predictor of knowledge on birth preparedness in many studies but relatively poor predictor on complication readiness. 1,7,15 Marital status of women Marital status was a significant determinant of knowledge on BP/CR among 575 early postnatal mothers in Oromia region, Ethiopia. 10 About 94% the of mothers were married among which 40% had knowledge on at least one danger sign in pregnancy, 42% on labour and 43% in the postpartum stage.…”