Birth preparedness and complication readiness among women who had given birth in the last 12 months, Barak district, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Maternal morbidity and mortality could be prevented significantly if women and their families recognize obstetric danger signs and promptly seek health care. Even though promotion of birth preparedness and complication readiness is a strategy advocated for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, yet there is scarcity of information to utilize them in undertaking effective interventions. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the status of birth preparedness and complication readiness practices and associated factors among women who had given birth in the last 12 months. Method: A community based cross sectional study was employed during October 12-18, 2013. A two stage sampling technique was used to select the eligible women and data was collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire. The collected data were entered using EPI-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 16.0 for analysis. Frequencies, proportion and summary statistics were used to describe the study population in relation to relevant variables. Logistic regression analysis was employed to control the possible confounding effects and to assess the separate effects of the variables. Result: Out of 447 elligible women, 440 (98%) were successfully interviewed and the mean age of the respondents was 28(±5.4) years. Nearly one out of eight (13%) of the respondents was well- prepared for delivery and emergency obstetric care. Maternal litracy (AOR=8.02, 95%CI: 3.96, 16.25), being primi para (AOR=2.17, 95%CI: 1.06, 4.44), ante natal care visits of four or more times (AOR=2.82, 95%CI: 1.43, 5.58) and knowledge of at least three key danger sign during pregnancy, delivery or postpartum (AOR= 2.95, 95% CI: 1.16, 7.51) were significantly associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness. Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of BP/CR, the knowledge of obstetric danger signs and the proportion of mothers who attend recommended ANC visit were found to be very low. Therefore, focused ante natal care service has to be improved so as to to make effective birth preparedness and complication readiness plan.