Abstract
BackgroundBirth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) is a strategy to promote use of skilled maternal and neonatal care so that they can get timely skilled care, particularly during child birth. There is minimal evidence on the factors associated with BP/CR among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess the factors influencing BP/CR among pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia for the purpose of improving utilization of skilled attendant at birth.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 707 pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia in March 2015. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were used. For the quantitative study, the study subjects were included in the study by employing multi-stage sampling. Data was entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics 20. Level of statistical significance was declared at a p- value of <0.05. For the qualitative study, six FGDs were conducted and analyzed based on the thematic areas.ResultThe prevalence of BP /CR in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda was found to be 30%. The odds of being prepared for birth and its complications was higher among women from high economic class (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.16, 4.54), with frequency of antenatal care(ANC) > = 4 (AOR = 4.52, 95% CI = 2.26, 9.02), who received advice on BP &CR (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.13, 3.01),and who were knowledgeable on labor and delivery(LAD) danger signs (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.01, 3.44). However, it was lower among women with parity of 2 - 4(AOR = .0.51, 95% CI = 0.31, 0.84) and >4 (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.31, 0.84) than primiparous women. It was also lower among women from food insecure households (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.16, 0.42) than their counterparts. Lack of awareness on BP/CR, privacy and respect in health institutions were mentioned by the FGD discussants as barriers to women’s preparation for birth.ConclusionsThe study showed that BP/CR is inadequate among pregnant women in the study area. Improving socio-economic and food security status of women, strengthening community-based education on complete attendance of ANC, and conforming to professional ethical standards were recommended.
Highlights
Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) is a strategy to promote use of skilled maternal and neonatal care so that they can get timely skilled care, during child birth
The study showed that BP/CR is inadequate among pregnant women in the study area
A community- based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women with a self-reported pregnancy of 3 months and above who were randomly selected from 9 kebeles in the woreda
Summary
Study setting and design The study was conducted in March 2015 in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, one of the woredas in Gammo Goffa Zone, South Ethiopia. A community- based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women with a self-reported pregnancy of 3 months and above who were randomly selected from 9 kebeles in the woreda. After applying finite population correction formula and 10% non-response rate and design effect of 2, the final sample size was 713.For the qualitative data, a total of six focus group discussions (FGDs) were formed in groups of husbands of pregnant women, traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and health professionals. A day long training and practical exercise was carried out before the commencement of the data collection Group discussions with their respective discussants were conducted in a quiet kebele and health center halls. A formal letter of permission to conduct the study was obtained from Gammo Goffa zone health desk and subsequently from Arba Minch Zuria Woreda Health office (Ref.No + 5/2799/2). Verbal consent was obtained from the study subjects and they were informed that the data will be kept confidential
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