Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Women Within Reproductive Age in Mukura Sub County in Ngora District Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Ngora district had a total of 3,248 under-five deaths in 2015 (Reproductive maternal newborn and child health report (2015). Ngora Fredica hospital registered 5 maternal deaths on September 6 and 11 in November in 2016. In total 22 maternal deaths in 3 months, 5 deaths are from Nora sub-county with high number of women with morbidity such as foot drop, ill health, maternal exhaustion, and fistulas. The purpose of the study was to assess factors that influence birth preparedness and complications readiness among community women of child-bearing age (15-49 years). Bivariate analysis with an unadjusted odds ratio at a 95% confidence level was performed to determine the factors that were associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness among women within reproductive age. Age (15-19 years COR = 1.68, p-value 0.000), Education level (no formal education COR = 6.1, p-value 0.000), Occupation (housewife not working COR = 4.58, p-value 0.000), Marital status (Single mothers COR = 2.60, p-value 0.000), Number of children (more than 6 children COR = 2.95, p-value 0.000), Distance to the health facility (Not walkable COR = 5.29, p-value 0.000), Cost of transport to the health facility (Not affordable COR = 4.91, p-value 0.010), Perceptions COR = 6.14, p-value 0.000, Knowledge (lack of knowledge on dander signs of birth complications COR = 3.19, p-value 0.000, Practice (not attending ANC COR = 2.95, p-value 0.000) and Practice (delivering from home COR = 3.80, p-value 0.006). Keywords: Birth preparedness, Birth Complication readiness, Reproductive age.