Abstract
Background: Nearly all of maternal deaths in the world occurred in sub-Saharan African countries. As Ethiopian demographic health survey report, there were 412 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2016. Delays in decision to seek and receive care are the main causes of these deaths. Birth preparedness and complication readiness plan has been globally endorsed pivotal strategy to decrease these delays. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the level of practice and factors associated with practice of birth preparedness plan among pregnant women. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was done among 356 pregnant women selected by simple random sampling technique from July 1-30/2017 in Debretabor town. We selected samples by simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using interview administered questionnaire. Then, we coded, cleaned and entered data through Epidata version 3.1. Finally, exported and analyzed by SPSS. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify association between explanatory variables and practice of birth preparedness and complication plan. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-value less than 0.05 was computed to determine the level of significance in multi-variable logistic regression model.Results: Prevalence of birth preparedness and complication readiness plan was 73.9% in this study. primary education status (AOR=3.2,95%CI,1.3-7.8) and secondary educational status (AOR=4.1,95%CI,1.6-10.3), Primigravida (AOR=4.7,95%CI,1.9-11.3), partner involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan (AOR=3.4,95%CI,1.9-6.1), initiating antenatal care in first trimester and media exposure (AOR=1.9,95%CI,1.0-3.3) were significantly associated factors with birth preparedness and complication readiness plan in this study. Conclusions: Level of practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness plan was high in the current study. Higher education status, early ante-natal care initiation, partner involvement in birth preparedness and exposure to media were the factors associated with practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness. Therefore, emphasize on continues education through media, design educational curriculum which should include birth preparedness plan, increase partner participation in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan. Furthermore, early initiation of antenatal care is mandatory.
Birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women in resource-limited setting in rural Northern Ghana
