Knowledge towards Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Mothers Who Attend Antenatal Care at Mizan-Aman General Hospital, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness is the process of planning for normal birth and anticipating the actions needed in case of an emergency. The risk of a woman dying as a result of pregnancy during her life time is about 1 in 16 in Sub-Saharan countries which pose a huge challenge to meet the fifth millennium development goal to reduce the maternal mortality by 75% between 1990 and 2015.

Objective: To assess the knowledge of pregnant women who attend ANC at Mizan-Aman general hospital towards to birth preparedness and complication readiness, 2014.

Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in Mizan- Aman general hospital. Sample was selected by using systematic random sampling in which individuals were chosen at regular interval. The data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaires from total of 350 samples. The analysis was done using statistical package for social science and result of the study was presented using table and graphs. The study was conducted in March 2014.

Result: In this study a total of 350 women of reproductive age from Mizan-Aman general hospital were interviewed. Majority of respondents 231 (66%) mentioned at least one key danger sign during pregnancy and 67 (19%) mentioned at least two danger signs. Two hundred sixty three (75%) of our respondents have heard about birth preparedness and complication readiness. Of them 191 (72.2%), 48 (18%) and 24 (9%) heard from health professionals, mass media and family member respectively. Of our respondents 97 (37%), 78 (30%), 56 (21%), and 18 (7%) mentioned birth place & assistance plan, arranging material necessary for safe delivery, identify pregnancy danger signs, and potential blood donor as elements birth preparedness and complication readiness, respectively. Forty nine (14%) of the total reported that as they have faced/were facing obstacle during their birth preparedness and complication readiness practice. On the other side 258 (74%) of the respondents had encouraging factors during their birth preparedness and complication readiness practices.

Conclusion and recommendation: Although awareness of the concept of BP/CR was high (66%), recognition of at least two key danger sign in pregnancy was poor (19%). So, it is better if local health offices arrange community based education and empowering women by expanding educational opportunities .

Keywords: complications readiness, birth preparedness, knowledge, Ethiopia