Zeitschrift für Frauengesundheit
Offener Zugang

Abstrakt

Knowledge and Practice on Birth Preparedness, Complication Readiness among Pregnant Women Visiting Debreberhan Town Governmental Health Institutions, North-East Ethiopia

Adisu Asefa*, Bekalu Getachew, Abebe Muche Belete, Daniel Molla

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness are important factors in the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality as well as infant morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study was intended to assess the level of knowledge and practice to birth preparedness, and complication readiness (BPCR) among pregnant women visiting Debreberhan town governmental health institutions. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Debreberhan Town Health Institutions from January 1 to 30, 2019. The sample size was 340 pregnant women, and one referral hospital and three health centers located in the town were included in the study. A systematic random sampling method was utilized. A structured questionnaire was utilized. The data were entered into EPI data manager version 3.3 and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. The statistical association was performed by chi-square test for categorical variables. Multivariate analyses were performed. Results: All of the study subjects were successfully interviewed (340), yielding a response rate of 100%. Of the study subjects, 5 (1.5%) did not mention any danger signs during childbirth or labor. One hundred seventy-one (50.3%) of the respondents mentioned three or more danger signs. Among the study participants, 191 (56.2%) were prepared for birth and its complications. Maternal education was a strong predictor in preparation for birth and complications. Illiterate mothers were approximately five times less likely to be prepared for birth and complications than literate women (AOR= 5.013 (1.236, 20.329)). Conclusion: The status of birth preparedness and complication readiness was low in our setting. Maternal literacy, knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth, history of stillbirth, family size, monthly income, age, and advice given to partners on birth preparedness during ANC follow-up were found to be strong determinants of birth preparedness and complication readiness. Health professionals working in Debre Berhan town public health institutions should provide adequate health education and promotion activities to enhance the awareness of pregnant mothers regarding the importance of birth preparedness and complication readiness. A nationwide, prospective, community-based study should be conducted to investigate the actual readiness for birth and complications.