Birth preparedness and complication readiness among women in Mpwapwa district, Tanzania

Abstract

Avoidable mortality and morbidity remains a formidable challenge in many developing countries like Tanzania. Birth preparedness and complication readiness by mothers are critical in reducing morbidities and mortalities due to these complications. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and practices with respect to birth preparedness and complication readiness among women in Mpwapwa district in Tanzania. A total of 600 women who became pregnant and or gave birth two years preceding the survey were interviewed. Among them 587 (97.8%) attended antenatal clinic (ANC) at least once during their last pregnancy. Two thirds of those who attended ANC made four or more visits. The median gestation age at booking for antenatal care was 16 weeks. However, 73.9% the women booked after 16 weeks of gestation. Two thirds of the women were 20-34years old and had at least primary education level. Three hundred and forty six (57.7%) had parity between two and four. Only 14.8% of the women knew three or more obstetric danger signs. The obstetric danger signs most commonly known included vaginal bleeding during pregnancy (19%), foul smelling vaginal discharge (15%) and baby stops moving (14.3%). The majority (86.2%) of the women had decisions made on place of delivery, a person to make final decision, a person to assist during delivery, someone to take care of the family and a person to escort her to health facility. Majority (68.1%) of the women planned to be delivered by skilled attendant. One third of the women planned to deliver at home in the absence of a skilled birth attendant. In the bivariate analysis, age of the woman, education, marital status, number of ANC visits and knowing ≥3 obstetric danger signs were associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, women with primary education and above were twice more likely to be prepared and ready for birth and complications. Women who knew ≥3 obstetric danger signs were 3 times more likely to be prepared for birth and complications. In conclusion, women with higher level of education and those who knew obstetric complications were more prepared for birth and complications. Further studies are recommended to find out why women do not prepare for birth or complications especially that need blood transfusion. __________________________________________________________________________________ _______

Awareness and Health Care Practice of Mothers’ About Obstetric Danger Signs at Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia

“…Higher level of education was associated with increased awareness of obstetric danger signs. Similar finding was reported from different studies [17,18,24]. However, some studies reported contradictory finding [16].…”

“…Because, women's awareness of potential danger signs is crucial to influence their decisions to have immediate obstetric care, and reduces the delay in deciding to seek obstetric care [11,12]. This finding is similar with study in Tanzania [17]. Similar finding also reported from Egypt [18].…”

Determinants of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness Among Pregnant Woman Attending Antenatal Care at Dilchora Referral Hospital, Dire Dawa City, East Ethiopia

“…This finding is consistent with the study from Tanzania [16,23], and Ethiopia [18]. The reason for this might be mothers who are knowledgeable on obstetric danger signs may have fear that the problem might happen to them which intern prompt them to seek support and advice from health professional.…”

Birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women in a rural community in southern Nigeria

“…[6] BPACR practices have also been documented to be poor among rural women in Ethiopia [8] and Tanzania. [10] Poor BPACR has the potential to negatively influence the maternal and child health outcomes, as women who are not well prepared are less likely to utilise skilled birth attendants at delivery or respond to complications in an appropriate or timely manner.…”