Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Women Attending Selected Health Centres in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Introduction: This study assessed birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) and its associated factors among pregnant woman attending selected health care facilities in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. Two hundred and six pregnant women were randomly selected from four health care facilities. Data were analysed using descriptive, binary and multiple logistic regression analysis. The level of significance was set at P <0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of BP/CR was 70.6% (n = 125). About 149 (81%) already identified a place of delivery, 114 (62%) identified skilled birth attendant, and 160 (87%) saved money for delivery. However only 30 (16.3%) of the respondents made arrangement for blood donor in case of emergency. Religion, parity, and knowledge of at least two obstetric danger signs were significantly associated with the extent of BP/CR practice. Being a Christian (AOR = 6.15, 95% CI: 1.65 – 22.97) and having knowledge of at least two obstetric danger signs (AOR = 5.80, 95% CI: 1.81 – 18.56) were significant predictors of good BP/CR practices.

Conclusions: Health care providers should stress the importance of identifying blood donor in case of emergency and antenatal clinics should be goal - and client-oriented and time effective. BP/CR should be made an integral part of maternal and child health services as the occurrences of complications during the process of childbirth are unpredictable.