Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Women in Duguna Fango District, Wolayta Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundBirth Preparedness and Complication Readiness is a strategy to promote the timely use of skilled maternal and neonatal care, especially during childbirth, based on the theory that preparing for childbirth and being ready for complications reduces delays in obtaining this care.ObjectiveThis study was conducted to assess birth preparedness and complication readiness and its associated factors among pregnant woman in Duguna Fango District in Wolayta Zone, South Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013, on a sample of 578 pregnant women. Data were collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS for windows version 16.0. The women were asked whether they followed the desired five steps while pregnant: identified a trained birth attendant, identified a health facility, arranged for transport, identified blood donor and saved money for emergency. Taking at least three steps was considered being well-prepared.ResultsAmong 578 pregnant women only one tenth (10.7%) of pregnant women identified skilled provider. Only 103 (18.1%) arranged transportation to health facility. Two hundred forty eight (43.6%) identified health facility for delivery and/or for obstetric emergencies. more than half (54.1%) of families saved money for incurred costs of delivery and emergency if needed. only few 17(3%) identified potential blood donor in case of emergency. Two hundred sixty four (46.4%) of the respondents reported that they intended to deliver at home, and more than half (53.6) planned to deliver at health facilities. Overall less than one fifth 18.3% of pregnant women were well prepared. The adjusted multivariate model showed that significant predictors for being well-prepared were maternal availing of antenatal services (AOR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.62–5.37), being pregnant for the first time (AOR = 3.37, 95% CI: 1.45–7.82), having knowledge of at least two danger signs during pregnancy (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.69–4.67) and history of past obstetric complication (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.35–6.58).ConclusionBirth preparedness practice in the study area was found to be low. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) on birth preparedness and complication readiness for young people should start early adolescence. The government officials and partners that are working in areas of maternal health should come up with strategies to improve birth preparedness at individual and community level.

Utilization of individual birth plan during pregnancy and its determinants in Makueni County, Kenya

“…Similar to other studies, we found that higher level of education is associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness. 6,7,[10][11][12][13][14] We attribute this to the fact that a woman who is educated is likely to understand more the health messages and apply the knowledge accordingly compared to an illiterate woman. 7,10,14 Contrary to studies in Kenya and Uganda, middle age rather than young age was associated with utilization of IBP.…”

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

“…Educated mothers were found to have adequate knowledge on birth preparedness and key danger signs on -pregnancy, labour and postnatal in Ghana, Guinea, Ethiopia, and Tanzania than Malawi, northern Nigeria and Uganda. 1,6,8,14,18,19,21,24 Uneducated mothers were also more likely to be knowledgeable on key aspects of birth preparedness such as purchase of birth kits and few danger signs in newborns than pregnancy and labour. Multi-parity was also a better predictor of knowledge on birth preparedness and obstetric complications in pregnancy and labour than nulliparous mothers.…”

“…Women who had absolute support from their husbands and had made four or more ANC visits were more likely to utilise skilled care during normal childbirth and complications. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]10,11,[14][15][16][18][19][20][21]23,24 Women who lived close to a health facility or in an urban area utilised skilled care throughout gestation and postnatal than women who live in geographically isolated communities. Men and women who were formally employed were in a better position to afford and utilise skilled care in normal and emergency situations.…”

“…5 Too often, access to care is impeded by delays -delays in deciding to seek care, delays in reaching care, and delays in receiving care. 3,[6][7][8] Identification of these key delays resulted in the development of the birth preparedness and complication readiness approach -the process of planning for a normal 9,10 The key components of the birth plan package include: recognition of danger signs, a plan for a birth attendant, identifying place of delivery, and saving money for transport or other costs in case the need arises. 5,9 In addition, a potential blood donor and a decision-maker (in case of emergencies) need to be identified, considering the unreliable stock of blood banks in most hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa such as Ghana.…”

Assessment of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Mothers Attending Ante Natal Care Service in Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital, South West Ethiopia

“…When complications occur, the unprepared family will waste a great deal of time in recognizing the problem, getting organized, getting money, finding transport and reaching the appropriate referral facility [4,5,12,13]. In Ethiopia; only 42% of pregnancies are unintended and more than half a million pregnancies are ended, More than 25,000 women died due to pregnancy and childbirth complications each year nationally and of the total (553) maternal deaths in the facilities, 74% are caused by direct while 26% are caused by indirect obstetric complication [16][17][18].…”