Birth Preparedness Research Articles

Practice of Birth Preparedness among Pregnant Women Attending Primary Health Care Centers, Umuahia North LGA

BackgroundMaternal waiting home is a residence near to health centers or hospitals that can be used as a temporary house for pregnant women for several days, while waiting for delivery reached, and a few days after labor. Most of the scholars focused on assessing the intention and knowledge of mothers to utilize maternal waiting homes for their recent delivery even though ignorance of utilization. In Ethiopia, the utilization of maternal waiting homes and its associated factors among women who gave birth in rural setting were not clearly described.ObjectivesThe overall objectives of this study were to assess maternity waiting home utilization and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last one year in the rural settings of Basona Worena District, Ethiopia, in 2024.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Basona worena district. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select 460 study participants. Structured and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were entered to Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 software for cleaning and statistical analysis. Bivariable and multi-variable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the association between dependent and independent variables and strength of association was measured based AOR with 95% confidence interval. Statistical significance was declared at p-value less than 0.05.ResultThe overall magnitude of maternity waiting home utilization was 56.7% (95% Cl: 52.4, 61.3). In this study, family size (AOR = 2.76, 95%, CI: 1.27,5.99), government-employed women(AOR = 0.12,95%,CI:0.03,0.44),maternal age (26–30years) (AOR = 0.22,95% CI:0.08,0.65), primary level maternal education (AOR = 3.20,95%,CI:1.40,7.32), birth preparedness plan (AOR = 10.23,95%,CI:9.8,29.3), and MWH utilization plan (AOR = 6.82,95%,CI: 2.7,17.3) were significantly associated with maternity waiting home utilization.ConclusionThe overall maternity waiting home utilization was 56.7%, which is relatively low compared to previous studies. Therefore, more attention is needed to improve maternal education, strengthen the birth preparedness plan, and MWH utilization plan, as well as focus high-parity women on their birth complications readiness, which accelerates maternity waiting home utilization.

Maternal waiting home is a residence near to health centers or hospitals that can be used as a temporary house for pregnant women for several days, while waiting for delivery reached, and a few days after labor. Most of the scholars focused on assessing the intention and knowledge of mothers to utilize maternal waiting homes for their recent delivery even though ignorance of utilization. In Ethiopia, the utilization of maternal waiting homes and its associated factors among women who gave birth in rural setting were not clearly described. The overall objectives of this study were to assess maternity waiting home utilization and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last one year in the rural settings of Basona Worena District, Ethiopia, in 2024. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Basona worena district. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select 460 study participants. Structured and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were entered to Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 software for cleaning and statistical analysis. Bivariable and multi-variable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the association between dependent and independent variables and strength of association was measured based AOR with 95% confidence interval. Statistical significance was declared at p-value less than 0.05. The overall magnitude of maternity waiting home utilization was 56.7% (95% Cl: 52.4, 61.3). In this study, family size (AOR = 2.76, 95%, CI: 1.27,5.99), government-employed women(AOR = 0.12,95%,CI:0.03,0.44),maternal age (26-30years) (AOR = 0.22,95% CI:0.08,0.65), primary level maternal education (AOR = 3.20,95%,CI:1.40,7.32), birth preparedness plan (AOR = 10.23,95%,CI:9.8,29.3), and MWH utilization plan (AOR = 6.82,95%,CI: 2.7,17.3) were significantly associated with maternity waiting home utilization. The overall maternity waiting home utilization was 56.7%, which is relatively low compared to previous studies. Therefore, more attention is needed to improve maternal education, strengthen the birth preparedness plan, and MWH utilization plan, as well as focus high-parity women on their birth complications readiness, which accelerates maternity waiting home utilization.

We aimed to assess the impact of birth preparedness interventions among pregnant women on the improvement of their maternal and neonatal outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Randomized controlled trials from 2007 to 2023 that assessed birth preparedness interventions for pregnant women living in such countries were reviewed after searching on PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, and CINAHL databases. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis standards. The database searches yielded 7405 articles. Nine trials were eligible for inclusion. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant variation in perinatal mortality (participants = 3573; studies = 2; risk ratio = 0.58; 95% confidence interval = [0.47, 0.73]; I2 = 0%, moderate certainty of evidence) and a significant difference in the initiation of breastfeeding (participants = 8743; studies = 3; risk ratio = 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.50, 2.39]; I2 = 96%, low certainty of evidence). Our systematic review showed that birth preparedness interventions significantly reduced perinatal mortality and increased breastfeeding initiation, as well as produced a positive impact on infant birth weight (grams) and age of gestation at birth (weeks). Future randomized controlled trials on birth preparedness interventions should be conducted and effectively promoted to enhance the health of mothers and neonates in low- and middle-income countries.

Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Antenatal Clinic Attendees in Primary Health Centers in Ido/Osi Local Government Area

BackgroundAntenatal care (ANC) is a critical component for improving maternal and newborn health. It provides a platform for essential healthcare services, including health promotion, screening and diagnosis, injury and disease prevention, birth preparedness and preparation for the postnatal period. By implementing timely and appropriate evidence-based practices, ANC can reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality and optimise overall health and well-being.ObjectiveTo assess the magnitude of utilisation of ANC with eight or more contacts and its associated factors among pregnant women attending ANC in Yayo District, 2023.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 301 randomly selected pregnant women attending ANC follow-up in selected health facilities in Yayo District, Southwest Ethiopia, from 1 June 2023 to 30 June 2023. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. The collected data were coded and entered into Epi Data V.4.6 and then exported to SPSS V.26 for descriptive and inferential analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted. Adjusted OR (AOR) with a 95% CI was estimated to assess the strength of associations. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant in the multivariate analysis.ResultsA total of 298 pregnant women participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 99%. Most of the pregnant women, 139 (46.6%), were housewives, and the majority, 248 (83.2%), were married. Adequate utilisation of ANC with eight or more contacts was found to be 7.7%. Factors significantly associated with ANC 8+ contacts utilisation include previous pregnancy-related complications (AOR 5.238 (95% CI 1.004 to 27.31)) and early initiation of ANC (AOR 29.09 (95% CI 8.87 to 95.3)).ConclusionThe magnitude of ANC 8+ contacts utilisation was remarkably low in the study area. Therefore, greater investment is needed to promote the new ANC approach, emphasising ANC 8+ contacts. Special attention should be given to mobilising mothers to initiate ANC before 12 weeks of gestation to reduce the risk of complications and ensure maximum utilisation of ANC 8+ contacts.

Background: Adequate birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) among pregnant women can reduce decision-making delays, increase skilled birth service use and prevent maternal and neonatal complications. This study compares BPCR between women displaced by insurgency and women of host communities in Northeast, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in Yobe in November 2021 involved 946 women (IDPs and host) selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected via an interviewer-administered ODK-based questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS v20.0. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses assessed associations between sociodemographic factors and BPCR knowledge, attitudes, and practice at a significance level of p ≤0.05. Result: Most respondents were aged 25–29 years (mean - 29.5 (±7.3) for IDPs and 29.0 (±6.8) for hosts). While BPCR awareness was high (hosts: 84.1%, IDPs: 82.9%), knowledge was poor in both groups (hosts: 14.8%, IDPs: 13.1%). Factors associated with BPCR knowledge included education, ANC attendance, income source, and husband’s occupation. Among IDPs, having a source of income significantly predicted better knowledge (AOR = 3.3). In host communities, husbands’ education and occupation were significant predictors (AOR = 9.9 and AOR = 2.5, respectively). Positive attitudes toward BPCR were common in both groups (hosts: 86.7%, IDPs: 86.9%). In IDPs, ANC attendance and knowledge predicted positive attitudes (AOR = 3.36 and AOR = 8.22). Among hosts, husband’s education, occupation, and knowledge of danger signs predicted positive attitudes (AOR = 3.81, 3.72, and 3.72, respectively). Conclusion: Despite awareness and positive attitudes, BPCR knowledge and practice are low. Targeted education and enhanced ANC services are crucial to promote BPCR, especially among vulnerable IDP populations.

ABSTRACTBackground:Antenatal care (ANC) provides an opportunity for screening, diagnosis, health promotion and disease prevention among pregnant mothers and their children. Therefore, this study was done to determine the utilization of antenatal services among postnatal mothers.Materials and Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2023 to October 2023 among postnatal mothers admitted to the postnatal ward of a tertiary care institution. A total of 165 postnatal mothers fulfilling inclusion criteria were selected by simple random sampling, and data were collected by interviewing them using a pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured schedule. Data was entered in MS Excel and analysed using IBM SPSS 20.0 version (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY).Results:About 58.7% of study subjects attended all four antenatal visits. 73.3% registered early for their pregnancy. Mostly (47.3%) registration was done at the Primary Health Centre (PHC). Physical examination, including weight, blood pressure, pallor, oedema and abdominal examination, was done more than once in 89.7% of study subjects. 95.2% did urine test, 88.5% did haemoglobin estimation more than once, 60% postnatal mothers received at least 100 iron and folic acid tablets during pregnancy and 92.1% received both doses of Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccine. Similarly, the majority, 89.2%, received counselling on danger signs, and only 78.2% received counselling on birth preparedness. A significant association was observed among the number of antenatal visits and educational status (P = 0.001), residence (P = 0.03), socio-economic status (P = 0.03) and age of marriage (P = 0.02).Conclusions:Although most of the postnatal mothers received ANC services, some aspects of ANC need to be improved, mainly counselling of mothers.

BackgroundWomen´s index pregnancy emotional fertility intention was measured by asking the pregnant women how they would felt when they learned about their index pregnancy. Emotional health and couples´ communication are key during pregnancy and child birth with simultaneous minimization of reproductive coercion. Emotional fertility intention is critical for healthy and spaced pregnancies, as well as for better maternal and newborns outcomes. Besides, intentions to conceive and emotional fertility intention on pregnancy are the integral parts of women reproductive health (RH) right and can be considered as women decision-making ability over their fertility. Moreover, in low and middle-income countries including Ethiopia where the sole male´s dominance is culturally accepted and socially constructed, males take the lead in each decision making process including household-level decision, determining the family´s fertility and reproductive health service use. This dominance interferes with women fertility intention and their health status including their emotional feeling towards conception. In such a scenario, women are less likely for their say to be heard. Hence, this study aimed to determine pregnant women index pregnancy emotional fertility intention and to identify the associated covariates contributing to it in Ethiopia. This is a very critical step to generate and make actionable evidence available for the health ministry and relevant partners working on reproductive and women´s psycho-social health. This evidence could serve as an action point to empower women regarding their reproductive health right and the control over their fertility.MethodsNationally representative cross sectional baseline data from the Ethiopian performance monitoring for action (Ethiopian PMA) cohort one survey, which enrolled and collected data from currently pregnant and 6 weeks postpartum women were used for this study. This study collected real time data on various sexual, reproductive, maternal and new born nationwide priority indicators using customized Open Data Kit Mobile application. These data were collected using standard pretested questionnaire prepared in English and the three local languages (Amharic, Afan Oromo and Tigrigna) by well experienced resident enumerators. This study was restricted to 2,236 pregnant women at the enrollment. Frequencies were computed to characterize pregnant women, and chi-square statistics was used to assess cell sample size adequacy. Multinomial logistics regression statistical modeling was fitted to identify correlates affecting index pregnancy women´s emotional fertility intention. Results were presented in the form of percentages and odds ratio with 95% Confidence Intervals. Candidate variables were selected using a p-value of 0.25. Statistical significance was declared at p-value of 0.05.ResultThe overall proportion of index pregnancy emotional fertility intention of being happy was found to be 67.81%: (95%CI: 65.38, 70.13). The proportion of pregnant women who felt very unhappy was 8% (95%CI: 6.64, 9.5) while 8.45% (95%CI: 7.13, 10.0) and 15.79% (95%CI: 14.01, 17.76) of the pregnant women reported that they felt a sort of unhappy and mixed feelings respectively. Besides, older women, those from the well to do households, those who wanted to have another child were found to have (AOR 95%CI: 2.82 (1.30, 6.13), (AOR 95%CI: 2.05 (1.04, 4.04) and (AOR 95%CI: 2.96 (1.95, 4.52) times increased likelihood of index pregnancy emotional fertility intention of being happy when they have learned about their index pregnancy. The likelihood of index pregnancy emotional fertility intention was found to be AOR 95%CI: 0.34 (0.19, 0.62), (AOR 95%CI: 0.50 (0.32, 0.78), (AOR 95%CI: 0.26 (0.17, 0.40) and (AOR 95%CI: 0.38 (0.25, 0.58) lower among women with high birth order, those who intended to have no more child, among residents of Oromiya and among the residents of the former Southern nations, nationalities and peoples regions. Moreover, the likelihood of index pregnancy women emotional fertility intention of being in a mixed feelings was found to be (AOR 95%CI: 0.62 (0.41, 0.95), (AOR 95%CI: 0.30 (0.13, 0.67) and (AOR 95%CI: 0.33 (0.14, 0.77) among women who attended primary education, those whose desired birth attendant was health professional and family member respectively.ConclusionThe finding that 2/3 of the pregnant women felt happier calls us up to work on intended and spaced pregnancies by ensuring women reproductive and economic empowerment. Region specific and age sensitive activities and efforts that promote intended pregnancy, empower women economically; increase women´s enrollment to secondary education or above and assisting them in identifying their desired birth attendant as part of birth preparedness and complication readiness are hoped to enhance pregnant women index pregnancy emotional fertility intentions. Empowering women economically and improving women educational enrollment were found very critical to address women emotional fertility intention. Installing inter pregnancy preconception care packages in the health care system and postpartum contraceptive counseling’s and provision were found to be the main implications of the study´s findings.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12978-025-02076-0.

Introductionpregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period involve risks that can lead to serious complications, but these can be reduced when mothers and families are aware of key obstetric danger signs and follow a birth preparedness plan.Methodsa convergent mixed-methods community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 331 pregnant women in August 2024. Additionally, six key informant interviews and six focus group discussions were held with health workers, pregnant women, and their partners. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS v27.0, while qualitative data underwent content analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were employed to identify factors influencing birth preparedness.Resultsonly 17.2% of pregnant women were prepared for birth and complications. Awareness of key danger signs was low: 13.5% during pregnancy, 8.9% during labor and childbirth, and 21.9% in the postpartum period. Factors significantly associated with higher odds of birth preparedness included: being a housewife (AOR= 5.6), receiving health education on danger signs (AOR= 4.68), having good knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy (AOR= 3.39), and receiving any form of community support (AOR= 2.74).Conclusionbirth preparedness and awareness of obstetric danger signs are low among pregnant women in Turkana County. Influencing factors include socio-demographic, cultural, economic, and infrastructural challenges. Qualitative research identified cultural beliefs, the utilization of conventional remedies, and inadequate infrastructure and distance as significant roadblocks to health services. To enhance birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) initiatives in Turkana County, it is recommended that targeted, context-specific health education be implemented during antenatal care clinics. This should involve delivering accurate and relevant health education on obstetric danger signs and the importance of birth preparedness through these clinics. Addressing knowledge gaps among pregnant women and their partners is essential to reduce delays in seeking emergency obstetric care. The Ministry of Health and county governments should expand health facility capacity and provide regular training on focused antenatal care and communication. Community health workers should be recruited and supported to promote antenatal care (ANC) attendance and institutional deliveries through local outreach. To improve access to health centres, county governments and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) should tackle physical, financial, and social barriers by improving transportation and reaching remote areas.

Birth preparedness and complication readiness are key strategies for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. This study aimed to explore the knowledge and practices of birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women attending antenatal care in selected health facilities, using qualitative insights to identify barriers, facilitators and cultural factors. A phenomenological qualitative approach was used to explore pregnant women's knowledge and experiences of birth preparedness and complication readiness. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling, and a total of seven focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted across seven health facilities, involving 53 participants. Data collection took place in July 2023, and the transcripts were systematically analyzed using NVivo software to identify key themes and patterns emerging from participants' narratives. Four identified themes were knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness; knowledge of danger signs of pregnancy; practices of birth preparedness and major delays to seek care. Participants listed common labour and delivery requirements. However, for complication readiness, most of them knew the types of complications but had little knowledge about preparation for such complications. Challenges such as lack of money to buy birth requirements and inadequate partner support led to poor preparations for pregnancy and childbirth. The use of traditional medication to hasten labour negatively influenced early care seeking. Distance to health facilities and lack of transport delayed access to healthcare. We found that pregnant women understood labour requirements but lacked knowledge on complication readiness. Financial constraints, insufficient partner support, reliance on traditional medicine, and long distances to health facilities hindered preparedness. This highlights the need for education, partner support and accessible healthcare.

Birth preparedness and complication readiness are key strategies for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. This study aimed to explore the knowledge and practices of birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women attending antenatal care in selected health facilities, using qualitative insights to identify barriers, facilitators and cultural factors. A phenomenological qualitative approach was used to explore pregnant women’s knowledge and experiences of birth preparedness and complication readiness. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling, and a total of seven focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted across seven health facilities, involving 53 participants. Data collection took place in July 2023, and the transcripts were systematically analyzed using NVivo software to identify key themes and patterns emerging from participants’ narratives. Four identified themes were knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness; knowledge of danger signs of pregnancy; practices of birth preparedness and major delays to seek care. Participants listed common labour and delivery requirements. However, for complication readiness, most of them knew the types of complications but had little knowledge about preparation for such complications. Challenges such as lack of money to buy birth requirements and inadequate partner support led to poor preparations for pregnancy and childbirth. The use of traditional medication to hasten labour negatively influenced early care seeking. Distance to health facilities and lack of transport delayed access to healthcare. We found that pregnant women understood labour requirements but lacked knowledge on complication readiness. Financial constraints, insufficient partner support, reliance on traditional medicine, and long distances to health facilities hindered preparedness. This highlights the need for education, partner support and accessible healthcare.

Maternal near-miss events (instances in which women survive life-threatening obstetric complications) offer a valuable lens for evaluating the quality of maternal healthcare systems. In Nigeria, where maternal mortality remains unacceptably high, near-miss cases are often underreported and under analyzed. This paper explores the role of family physicians (FPs) in reducing maternal near-miss events through early identification, timely intervention, and coordinated care, drawing on insights from a multi-facility review in Lagos. The analysis highlights common clinical drivers of near-miss events, including postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and sepsis, often exacerbated by systemic delays in care. Family physicians are shown to mitigate these risks by introducing structured interventions such as routine use of partographs, maternal early warning systems, and emergency obstetric drills. They also lead community outreach programs aimed at improving birth preparedness and recognizing danger signs during pregnancy. Furthermore, their mentorship of non-physician staff and integration of team-based protocols enhance both facility readiness and care quality. The paper advocates for integrating maternal near-miss audits into family medicine residency curricula to strengthen quality improvement competencies. It also calls for expanded continuing education opportunities, peer-support structures, and policy frameworks that formally recognize FPs as essential contributors to maternal care. Finally, investments in rural infrastructure and referral capacity are recommended to support FPs working in underserved areas. By leveraging the unique skill set and placement of family physicians, Nigeria can better address systemic gaps in obstetric care, reduce preventable maternal morbidity, and advance toward its maternal health goals. Keywords: Maternal Near- Miss, Family Physician, Maternal Health, Primary Care.

Introduction: The active participation of males is vital for enhancing maternal and child health outcomes. Supporting mothers in timely healthcare decisions ensures better access to services and care. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines maternal mortality as deaths caused by pregnancy-related complications or their management within 42 days of pregnancy termination, excluding incidental causes. Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) is intended to reduce the three primary delays that lead to maternal mortality: delays in recognising the need for medical care, reaching a healthcare facility and receiving timely and proper treatment. Aim: To assess males’ levels of BPCR and identify the factors that influence their participation in these critical aspects of maternal health. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu, India. The research work was carried out from December 2024 to February 2025. The sample size was calculated as 412, and at the end of the data collection, through simple random sampling, 420 samples were collected. Eligible participants were males aged 18 years and above. After obtaining ethical clearance, data collection was carried out using a validated questionnaire adapted from the Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO) questionnaire devised by The Maternal and Neonatal Health Programme, affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression (both bivariate and multivariate) were applied to assess associations among variables. A p-value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 420 individuals, 193 (45.95%) were in the 30-39 years age group. Most participants (267, 63.57%) were first-time fathers. Commonly recognised danger signs during pregnancy include nausea and vomiting and severe headaches, which were recognised by 341 (81.2%) and 249 (59.3%) participants, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that cultural influence on decision-making was a statistically significant predictor of BPCR, influencing male participation in maternal health planning (AOR=0.091, 95% CI: 0.057-0.143, p-value &lt;0.001). Conclusion: The study infers that early and informed male involvement in BPCR significantly enhances maternal health outcomes, emphasising the need for targeted awareness and engagement strategies.

To the editor, Childbirth is a beautiful experience that millions of women go through worldwide. A woman goes through a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the pregnancy, and one of the most recurring thoughts in a mother’s mind is the event of labour and delivery. Although many have the privilege of having a near-perfect experience, this is not true for many women in Pakistan. Despite being the most cost-effective, only 15% of women choose government setups, most prefer private providers, which can be more expensive, or opt for midwives or untrained staff which although affordable, can have dire consequences [1]. Research indicates that approximately 1.5% of women may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a consequence of their childbirth experience [2]. Although PTSD can be due to several reasons, many women report a lack of empathy from the healthcare workers, which can directly or indirectly lead to PTSD. The process of giving birth can be very traumatizing in some parts of the world, especially in government hospitals in 3rd world countries like Pakistan. Abuse during childbirth can be of any nature, ranging from physical, verbal, or emotional abuse leading up to disrespect, neglect, or coercion. According to a study conducted across the Sindh province in Pakistan, approximately 97% of women reported experiencing at least one form of disrespectful and abusive behaviour during childbirth [3]. Another study found that poorer women, those less educated on birth preparedness and postnatal care, and those who lacked social support were more vulnerable to mistreatment during childbirth [4]. All the abuse leaves the mother traumatized, which can result in severe mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis. A scoping review concluded that women who reported at least one type of disrespect and abuse were 1.6 times more likely to experience postpartum depression [5]. This is one of the many reasons why women in Pakistan don't seek out proper maternal care. To address the issue, medical and nursing colleges should have a module on medical ethics which should focus on the importance of informed consent, respect for autonomy, and cultural sensitivity. A robust feedback system should be established to allow patients to report complaints. Public awareness campaigns should be held, and regular audits should be conducted in hospitals to find out the gaps in quality healthcare. Lastly, policies should be made to make public healthcare setups more reliable and accessible to patients.

This study assessed the gender-transformative implications of a training aimed at transforming gender norms and promoting husbands' involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness in The Gambia. The study used an observational quantitative evaluation design, beginning with a pre-training assessment of 100 husbands and a post-training assessment of 96 husbands who participated in the training. It also incorporated a qualitative component comprising 12 interviews with the pregnant wives of husbands who participated in the training. The results indicated that husbands reported an increased understanding of pregnancy and childbirth due to the training. As a result, 73% reported accompanying their wives for skilled birth attendance and 60% reported saving money for potential delivery-related complications. Pregnant women have also reported improved communication with their husbands. However, sustaining these changes may require broader socioeconomic considerations. These insights, along with observations and reflections from training sessions, provide valuable lessons for organizations implementing similar programs.

A Study to Assess the Knowledge and Reported Practices on BPCR (Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness) among Primigravida Mothers Attending Antenatal OPD of Selected Tertiary Care Hospital of Western Maharashtra

Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is a crucial intervention aimed at reducing maternal mortality rates. Despite its proven efficacy, numerous barriers impede its effective practice. This study explores the factors influencing BPCR among childbearing age women by assessing the impact of knowledge, preparation, attitude, and practices. Employing a mixed-method research design, data were collected using adapted survey questionnaires and interview guides. The study, conducted in Barangay Bucal, Calamba City, Laguna, involved 33 quantitative and 10 qualitative respondents, totaling 43 childbearing age women from primary health centers. The demographic profile revealed that the majority of respondents were young adults (18-25 years), had secondary education, experienced only one previous birth, and were Roman Catholic. The findings indicated that the respondents' knowledge, preparation, attitude, and practices related to BPCR were moderate. Statistical analysis revealed that age significantly influenced all four factors—knowledge, preparation, attitude, and practices—while the number of previous births significantly affected attitude and practices. However, civil status, educational attainment, and religion showed no significant impact. Qualitative data highlighted challenges such as transportation difficulties and financial instability as significant barriers to effective care and pregnancy management. The study recommends that childbearing age women pursue formal education to enhance their knowledge and skills, attend antenatal counseling, increase awareness of obstetric complications, rely on faith for support, secure transportation for delivery, strengthen support systems, and develop a structured action plan. These measures aimed to improve BPCR and address the identified barriers, ultimately contributing to reduced maternal mortality rates.

Background: Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) is the process of preparing for a normal birth and anticipating the measures required in the event of an emergency. It consists of discrete elements such as awareness of warning indicators, familiarity with use of community resources and the prenatal care arrangements established by a woman and her family. Despite being a cost-effective technique for improving maternal and neonatal health, BPCR is a neglected topic in India. Therefore, this current study was undertaken with the objectives of assessing BPCR and to determine the factors associated with it among the antenatal and recently delivered women, in a tertiary care setting of Kalaburagi, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 373 antenatal and recently delivered women attending tertiary care centre, Kalaburagi, using purposive sampling method from July to September 2024. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and the BPCR was evaluated at the individual level using indicators from the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO). Data were entered in Microsoft excel and analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Our study found that 65% of the participants were well prepared for the birth and complication which arises from it and the BPCR index was 50.8%. Binary logistic regression revealed participants who residing in rural area [OR=2], graduate [OR=4], belonged to upper socioeconomic class [OR=3] and women with graduate [OR=6] and government employed spouses [OR=8] were found to be well prepared for the birth and complication compared to others. And these factors were statistically significant. Conclusion: Pregnant women's understanding and utilization of BPCR services must be improved and the variables influencing their behaviour and decision-making with regard to BPCR must be addressed with the help of healthcare workers at the grassroot level (ANM, ASHA, and AWW) and also antenatal clinics can be utilized for the same.

Group-based antenatal care (G-ANC): an innovative approach to empower birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR), particularly in resource-constrained setting.