Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness Among Expectant Mothers at the Ridge Regional Hospital, Accra
Date
2013-07
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Background: Avoidable maternal mortality remains a huge burden more especially in
sub-Saharan Africa. Expectant mothers are faced with life-threatening complications
which a birth preparedness and complication readiness plan helps to actively avoid.
Awareness of danger signs of pregnancy helps an expectant mother to make timely
decisions to avoid delays that brings about complications that could result in morbidity or
mortality.
Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and practices of
birth preparedness and complication readiness among expectant mothers and specifically
to determine the association between socio-demographic factors and birth preparedness
and complication readiness.
Method: A cross sectional design was employed with a sample size of 400 expectant
mothers in their 3 rd trimester at the Ridge Regional Hospital. A simple random sampling
of pregnant women visiting the RRH was done using the lottery method to select the
participants. Analysis was done using SPSS version 16.
Results: Though many of the mothers (77.3%) were aware of the fact that they may need
blood during labour only 16.4% of mothers actually had blood in the blood bank and
31.6% said they had arranged for a blood donor. There was a significant relationship
between level of preparedness (p-value = 0.008) and educational level, also with ANC
attendance (p = 0.032). It was observed that almost two-thirds of the respondents knew
some danger signs and gave one or two examples. Two-thirds did not know anything
about Eclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension. Almost all respondents (96%) had
identified a close family member as a companion when in labour.
Conclusion: The respondents’demontrated little knowledge on danger signs in pregnancy
and many respondents did not know about birth preparedness especially in the area of
blood donation. It is suggested that strategies be put in place for effective implementation
of the policy on blood donation so that by the seventh month of pregnancy every
expectant mother, irrespective of her haemoglobin level must have her blood ready in the
blood bank to ensure complication readiness.
It is recommended that the standard for focused antenatal care is fully implemented as
this will improve upon one on one provision of information and health education on
danger signs in pregnancy. In doing so, there will be a general increase on the level of
birth preparedness and complication readiness.
Description
Thesis (MPH) - University of Ghana, 2013