Abstract:
Background: Maternal mortality is a substantial public health burden in developing countries. Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) is a safe motherhood strategy which addresses delays that could increase the risk of dying in pregnancy, child birth and the immediate postpartum period.
Objective: The main aim of this study was to assess magnitude and factors associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic in Adama town government health facilities, East Ethiopia, 2015.
Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 642 pregnant mothers from December 2014 to January 2015 in ANC clinic of Adama town government health facilities. Systematic random sampling was employed to select the study subject. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study variables. Logistic regression analysis was also used to identify factors associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness practice. P-value <0.05 was used as cut of value for statistical significance.
Result: Out of 642 mothers only 29.1% (95% C/I: 25.9, 32.7) of the respondents were prepared for birth and its complications. Preparation for birth and its complication was associated with respondent who attended secondary and above educational level. (AOR=2.76, 95%C/I: 1.41, 5.41) In addition, in this study woman with history of one live birth (AOR=2.74, 95%C/I: 1.69, 4.47), women who were experience history of one still birth (AOR=2.3, 95%C/I: 1.20, 4.63) and those pregnant women who heard the term birth preparedness (AOR=1.56, 95%C/I: 1.03, 2.38) were found to be factors associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness practice.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The magnitude of birth preparedness and complication readiness was low in the study area. Knowledge on birth preparedness and complication readiness was identified as low as danger sign. Women education, large family size, pregnant women with history of live birth & still birth and those pregnant women who heard the term birth preparedness were identified as associated factors. Therefore, the health facilities should work closely with town health office to improve birth preparedness and complication of women. In addition, counseling related to knowledge on birth preparedness and complication readiness with especial emphasis to danger sign during pregnancy, labor and delivery needs due attention.
................................. Thesis available at ACIPH Library