Birth preparedness, complication readiness and associated factors among pregnant women in Agnuak zone, Southwest Ethiopia: a community based comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness interventions have a significant role in the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality risk. Inadequacy of birth and emergency preparedness were depicted as one of the major reasons for high maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. The main objective of this study was to assess birth preparedness, complication readiness and associated factors among pregnant women. Methods: A community based comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted among 411 urban and 209 rural respondents who were selected using multi-stage stratified random sampling technique. Quantitative data were collected by interviewer administered questionnaire while qualitative data were collected from purposely selected 54 members of the community by using guiding checklist and analyzed by thematic areas. Birth preparedness and complication readiness was measured using five birth preparedness and complication readiness items then women who scored at least three were considered as well prepared. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the association between independent variables and birth preparedness and complication readiness. The result were presented as Odds Ratio at 95% CI. P < 0.05 ware used to dictate statistical significance. Results: A total response rate of the study was 97.3%. The prevalence of birth preparedness and complication readiness was significantly higher among urban respondents (P = 25.8%; p < 0.05). Factors such as history of obstetric complication, knowledge of key danger signs, having favourable attitude towards birth preparedness and complication readiness, starting antenatal care visit within 3 months age of pregnancy, completing at least four antenatal care visits, urban residence, having occupation of government employee or merchant and being in the higher wealth quintile were variables positively associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness. Conclusions: Prevalence of birth preparedness and complication readiness was low in this study, though significantly higher in urban area. Three-fourth of women planned to attend 4+ antenatal care visits indicating opportunity to counsel them on birth preparedness and complication readiness which increases its prevalence. Health workers should counsel every woman on birth preparedness and complication readiness components during her first antenatal care visit and subsequent visits.

Knowledge of obstetric danger signs and associated factors among pregnant women in Wolaita Sodo town, South Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

“…According to this study, the overall knowledge of obstetric danger signs was found to be 16.8%. Our study’s finding is in line with studies from Uganda, 9 Ethiopia Somali region, 16 Agnuak Zone, Southwest Ethiopia, 31 and Bench Maji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia 32 where 19.0%, 15.5%, 20.0%, and 14.6% were knowledgeable about obstetric danger signs, respectively. However the finding is lower than the studies conducted in different regions of Ethiopia: Arba Minch town (68.4%), 21 Yirgachaffe town (21.9%), 23 Debra-Birhan town (38.6%), 10 East Gojjam Zone (55.1%), 33 and Farta district (23.1%).…”

Prevalence and predictors of birth preparedness and complication readiness in the Kassena-Nankana district of Ghana: an analytical cross-sectional study

“…Indeed, one recent study in southwest Ethiopia reported that three-fourth of pregnant women were not counselled on all components of BPACR. 33 Therefore, it is possible that an increase in frequency of ANC visits per se may not result in better BPCR. Increased BPCR awareness in women could be promoted by healthcare workers during ANC visits…”

“…Our finding is however, inconsistent with that of other studies where women in the third, fourth or fifth wealth quintiles were more likely to be prepared as compared with women in the lowest quintiles. 33 49 54 55 This means the odds of being well prepared for birth and its complications was significantly higher among women from high SES than those from low SES. In this case, the likely reasons could be that rich women having high income will be enabled to prepare for birth and its complications.…”

Birth preparedness and related factors: a cross-sectional study in Tanzania City area

“…These might have been influenced by the unique developmental stage of the city area of Tanzania, which recently became a middle-income country. Although ANC more than four times [ 21 – 23 ], first ANC within the first trimester [ 22 ], income [ 24 ], and age [ 24 – 26 ].showed significant relationships with BPR in previous studies, they were not found to be associated in this study.…”