Birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women in Osogbo Metropolis, Southwest Nigeria.

Adedayo Olukemi Sabageh,Oluwatosin Adediran Adeoye,Adebola Afolake Adejimi,Adeleye Abiodun Adeomi,Donatus Sabageh

doi:10.11604/pamj.2017.27.74.7266

Abstract

IntroductionHigh maternal mortality is a major problem in Nigeria. Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness will ensure that women can have professional delivery thus reducing obstetric complications. This study assessed the birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women in Osogbo metropolis, a south western community in Nigeria.MethodsA community based descriptive cross sectional survey was used. A total of 180 women were selected using multistage sampling technique. Pretested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used to elicit information about previous obstetric history, knowledge of the danger signs of pregnancy and level of birth preparedness. Composite score and mean were computed. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. P-value was set at < 0.05.ResultsThe mean age was 26.11 ± 3.63 years. A total of 51.1% were carrying their 2nd or 3rdpregnancies. A total of 70.8% were aware of danger signs in pregnancy and the commonest danger sign mentioned was bleeding per vagina. In all, 82.1% were well prepared for birth. Being in the younger age group (p = 0.026), being more educated (p < 0.0001) and being aware of danger signs in pregnancy (p < 0.0001) was more significantly associated with being well prepared.ConclusionThe respondents were well prepared for birth with the younger women, educated ones and those knowledgeable of danger signs being better prepared. Continuous education about the Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness should be sustained in order to maintain and improve women's preparedness.

Highlights

High maternal mortality is a major problem in Nigeria
It is impressive when this study revealed more than 90% of respondents who were not primigravida had Ante Natal Care (ANC) in their last pregnancy, lesser proportion eventually had their deliveries in health facilities where the services of a skilled birth attendant (SBA) can be guaranteed
This study further showed over 90% of respondents to have identified a place of delivery for the pregnancy they were carrying

Summary

Introduction

High maternal mortality is a major problem in Nigeria. Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness will ensure that women can have professional delivery reducing obstetric complications. Birth preparedness helps ensure that women can reach professional delivery care when labor begins and reduces the delays that occur when women experience obstetric complications [1, 7] It ensures the readiness and timely utilization of skilled maternal and neonatal health care. Iliyasu et al in their study on Birth Preparedness, Complication Readiness and Fathers' Participation in Maternity Care in a Northern Nigerian Community found out that majority of pregnancies were unplanned while most men (71.5%) made plans for the baby's naming ceremony, less than a third made plans for mother's health care, transportation and delivery and only 19.5% made savings for obstetric emergencies; decisions on place of delivery, arrangement for skilled assistance at delivery and preparations for blood donation were found to be made by only 9.0%, 6.2% and 0.8% of respondents respectively [5]. This study assessed the birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women in Osogbo metropolis, a south western community in Nigeria

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion