Birth Preparedness, Complication Readiness, and Determinants Among Women Attending Antenatal Care from Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Facility-Based Survey

A large number of mothers die from pregnancy complications and childbirth worldwide and Sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia accounts for the third. Although several studies were done on birth preparedness and complication readiness in different parts, there is limited information in the current study setting. Hence, the aim of the current study was to assess birth preparedness and complication readiness practices and determinants among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Sibu Sire District, East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. Accordingly, a facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 398 women attending ANC. Data were collected through an interviewer applied structured questionnaire. Data were entered into EPI-INFO version 7 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. After the descriptive statistics, bivariate and multiple variable regression were carried out using the odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval at p<0.05. The response rate was 100% and the magnitude of BPCR among pregnant women in the study setting was 30.2%. Educated elementary, achieved secondary and above, history of live-birth, history of stillbirth, ANC four & above visits, knowledge of danger signs of pregnancy, awareness of BPCR, and knowledge of birth preparedness were significantly associated with BPCR with (AOR=2.59; 95% CI: 1.30-5.18), (AOR=5.88; 95% C/I: 2.57- 13.46), (AOR=4.31; 95% C/I: 2.45-7.60), (AOR=2.00; 95% C/I: 1.01- 3.86), (AOR=2.11; 95% C/I: 1.25-3.55), (AOR=2.21; 95% C/I: 1.17-4.18), (AOR=2.55; 95% CI: 1.48-4.40), (AOR=2.1; 95% C/I: 2.1 (1.24-3.53)) respectively. In conclusion, the magnitude of BPCR practice was low in the area. The key determinants in the study setting were educational status, history of live-birth, history of stillbirth, having ANC ≥ 4 visits, knowledge of danger signs of pregnancy, awareness of BPCR, and knowledge of BPCR. Therefore, improving the means of creating awareness, ANC attendance, and education coverage are recommended based on the finding. Furthermore, to explore the underlined reason a wide scope follow-up study and mixed methods studies is recommended.