Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Pregnant Women Towards Birth Preparedness And Complication Readiness In Mbulamuti Parish Kamuli District

Abstract

Background Improving the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women towards birth preparedness is a strategy whose objective is to promote the timely use of skilled maternal and neonatal care during childbirth or obstetric emergencies by reducing delays at the first, second and third levels. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of pregnant women in Mbulamuti parish Kamuli District hospital towards birth preparedness and complication readiness from January-June 2018.

Methods The study included 288 respondents from 5 selected villages of Mbulamuti parish .A cross sectional study design was used and interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using computer software called statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) windows version 20.

Results More than half of the total respondents 222(77.08%) were prepared for birth and related complications. Knowledge as well as attitude of pregnant women was significant and hence associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness at p value equal or below 0.05. Most of the pregnant women were aware of antenatal care, had started attending and knew some danger signs during pregnancy. Most of the pregnant women also knew how the plan for birth, family role in birth preparedness, importance of contraceptive and postnatal care, what to feed on during pregnancy, major blood tests done during pregnancy and they had saved resources, attended skilled health care. Generally the attitude of pregnant women towards birth preparedness and complication readiness was good.

Conclusion Birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women of Mbulamuti parish was found to be satisfactory. The study noted that women were well prepared because of the information they acquire from their health centre during antenatal care. The Health facilities should therefore strengthen and maintain health services that promote early ANC attendance and improving the information given during the follow up, with special emphasis on birth preparedness and complication readiness.