Birth Preparedness among Mothers in Selected Health Care Facilities in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

During pregnancy, delays which lead to maternal and neonatal mortality are commonly attributed to failure in the utilization of available maternal health care services, as well as failure to prepare for potential complications related to childbirth. Hence, this study was carried out to determine women’s childbirth preparedness in selected health care facilities in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. A descriptive cross-sectional design with the use of an adapted semi-structured questionnaire was employed. One hundred and eighty-eight (188) pregnant women who were selected through stratified sampling technique participated in the study. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive (frequency, percentages and means) and The Fisher’s exact test was used for observed differences and relationships between study variables. Findings from the study showed that majority of the participants were within ages 25-34 years and 49.7% of the participants have had two to three pregnancies. More than half (58.6%) of participants knew their expected date of delivery while 78.7% affirmed that severe vaginal bleeding is a danger sign in pregnancy. However, only 13.9% of participants planned for a blood donor in case of emergency. Although participants had adequate knowledge (60.1%) on birth preparedness, a lesser percentage (53.7%) had good practice. There was a statistically significant relationship between practice of birth preparedness and past childbirth experience (p-value=0.036 which is <0.05). From the study, the overall proportion of women who prepared for birth was found to be low. Hence, education of women and their significant others on the elements of birth preparedness and their importance during pregnancy and childbirth might increase women’s birth preparation thereby promoting safe maternal and child health.