Knowledge and Attitude Towards Birth Preparedness Among Prime Gravid Mothers Attending Antenatal Clinic at Bwindi Community Hospital

Okello Samuel ,Akatuhurira Ronnah

doi:10.7176/jhmn/58-02

Abstract

In Uganda maternal mortality ratio is high at 336 death per 100000 live birth. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and attitude towards birth preparedness among prime gravid mothers attending Antenatal Clinic at BCH. A descriptive cross sectional study design was used and purposive convenient sampling method was used to sample 80 participants. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data collected was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and presented in tables, graphs, pie charts frequencies and percentages. The results showed that more than a half (56%) of the participants had inadequate knowledge on birth preparedness. Although all participants had attended ANC, a significant number (38.8%) had never heard about birth preparedness. Although more than half (59%) had knowledge on things to be done, only (36.8) and (30.6) knew identification of skilled providers and means of transport respectively. Majority (92%) of participants had inadequate knowledge on additional requirements with no (0%) participant knowing identification of money for emergency as a must requirement for birth preparedness. Much as participants had positive attitude on birth preparedness, majority (87.8%) had negative attitude on identification blood donor when preparing to deliver. In conclusion significant number of participants had never heard about BPP and all participants had no knowledge on saving money for emergency and on additional requirements. Therefore there is need for health workers to provide adequate health education regarding BPP and continuously review it with a mother on each visit. Keywords: Birth preparedness, Antenatal care, Prime Gravid mothers, Knowledge and Attitude DOI : 10.7176/JHMN/58-02

Highlights

Maternal mortality still remains a big challenge globally and in developing countries
According this study more than half (61.2%) of the prime gravid mothers had ever heard about birth preparedness this is in agreement with a community based cross sectional study done in North west Ethiopia where majority (72%) of the participants had ever heard about birth preparedness (Bitew.Y,Awoke.W,Chekoli.S,2016)
The study findings showed that only (12.2%) of the participants agreed that a pregnant mother should identify a blood donor this is in line with the study done on knowledge towards birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant mothers attending ANC at Mizan Aman hospital in south western Ethiopia which showed that only (7%) agreed that it is important for a pregnant mother to identify a blood donor during pregnancy (Andualem, 2015)

Summary

Introduction

Maternal mortality still remains a big challenge globally and in developing countries . Knowledge and attitude of mothers towards birth preparedness would enable them to plan for normal birth and anticipate any actions needed in case of an emergency reduce mortality .Birth preparedness is one of the elements of focused antenatal care. Birth preparedness is the plan that a pregnant woman makes by identifying place of birth, means or transport, saving money for delivery expenses, identifying birth attendant and home care taker while in hospital. Birth preparedness involves the pregnant woman, and her family, community and health staff, (World Health Organization, 2016). Discussion has been presented under subheadings such as, demographic characteristics of the study, knowledge about birth preparedness and attitude towards birth preparedness among prime gravid mothers attending antenatal clinic at BCH

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Discussion

Conclusion