Birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women: A facility-based Cross-sectional Study

Introduction

Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) has the goal of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. This concept requires pregnant women to seek healthcare without delay in case of obstetric complications and delivery. This study determined the practices and factors associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional design was employed among 384 participants, collecting data using a self-administered questionnaire and analysing them using Stata Version 16 at the 0.05 significance level and 95% confidence interval.

Results

The practice of BPCR was 53.4%, and the single pregnant women were more likely to practice BPCR [AOR=2.19 (C.I: 1.13, 3.45); p = 0.020]. Respondents whose husbands had completed the tertiary education level were more likely to practice BPCR [AOR=1.15 (C.I: 0.05, 1.46); p <0.001]. Pregnant women who did not have enough money to cater for expenses; those who had no means of transportation to the health facility; those who did not have someone to accompany them to the health facility; those who did not receive advice from a birth attendant regarding their pregnancy and those who did not have enough food at home to cater for the household were less likely to practice BPCR (All: p<0.05).

Conclusion

Health promotion programmes to increase the practice of BPCR should target all women, particularly those with limited social and financial support and families with no or basic education.