Knowledge And Practice Of Birth Preparedness And Complication Readiness Among Pregnant Women In Selected Health Facilities In Enugu South Local Government Area, Enugu State.

ABSTRACT

Avoidable maternal mortality remains a huge burden more especially in sub-Sahara Africa.

Expectant mothers are faced with life threatening complication which a birth preparedness

and complication readiness plan helps to actively avoid. When a woman is adequately

prepared for normal childbirth and possible complications, she is more likely to access the

skilled and prompt care she needs to protect her overall health and possibly save her life

and that of her baby. The study assessed the knowledge and practice of birth preparedness

and complication readiness among women in selected health care facilities in Enugu south

local government Area of Enugu State. Descriptive cross- selection survey research design

was adopted with a sample size of 422 pregnant women at 8 selected health care facilities

in the local government area. Data was collected with interviewer administered

questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 17 for windows. The findings revealed that

only 20.5% of the respondents had good knowledge of the components of BPCR. Most of

the respondents 87.6% lacked good knowledge of key danger signs of pregnancy, labour

and postpartum, while the majority 78.6%, 96.7% and 95.5% knew that vaginal bleeding is

a key danger sign of pregnancy, labour and postpartum respectively. The majority 65.2%

was poor in their practice birth preparedness and complication readiness and almost all

92.5% did not identify a compactable blood donor. All the respondents needed at least one

form of social support while 95.7% needed psychological support which was the most

needed support by the respondents. Age P=0.000, marital status P=0.001, level of education

P=0.000 and occupation P=0.000 of the respondentshad significant relationship with their

knowledge of BPCR. Whereas age P=0.000, educational level P=0.000 and occupation

P=0.000 of respondents had significant relationship with their practice of BPCR. In

conclusion, there was poor knowledge and practice of BPCR in the study area. In

recommendation, there is need for intensified health education on the components of

BPCR, key danger signs of pregnancy, labour and post partum while the importance of practicing BPCR must always be emphasized during antenatal visit.