ABSTRACT

Birth preparedness and complication readiness has as goal to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. This study assessed the awareness and practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary health institution in Benin City, Edo state. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried among 212 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo state. Data was collected with a well-structured self-developed questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed with SPSS version 21. Frequency distributions were used to determine the awareness and practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness. Results from the study showed that of the 212 pregnant women included in this study 88 (41.5%) were aware of birth preparedness and complication readiness. The main source of information was nurse/midwife (72.7%). However, majority (67.5%) of the respondents had good knowledge of obstetric danger signs. The practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness was unsatisfactory as only 83 (39.2%) had good practice. However, majority of the respondents (79.7%) knew their expected date of delivery, most of the respondents (84.4%) reported that they have identified the facility they will give birth and more than half (50.9%) said they are saving money in case of emergency during delivery. Only 5.7% had made arrangement for a blood donor. The findings of the study revealed that the awareness of birth preparedness and complication was low and practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness was unsatisfactory. Activities such as health education designed to improve practice of birth preparedness are recommended particularly for women who lack knowledge of danger signs of pregnancy and birth preparedness.

Keywords:Birth-preparedness, Complication-readiness, Women, Awareness, Practice.