Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness Among Expectant Mothers at the Ridge Regional Hospital, Accra

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.