Birth preparedness and complications' readiness among mothers attending the antenatal care clinic at Katakwi General Hospital, Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Birth preparedness and complications readiness is an essential component of the antenatal care that is intended to reduce delays by the pregnant mothers to access skilled care for birth and related complications. The levels of birth preparedness and complications’ readiness have been noted to be low especially in Sub Saharan Africa and Uganda in particular. No known studies have assessed the levels of practices and the determinants of birth preparedness and complications’ readiness in Katakwi. Objective: To establish the levels and the determinants of BPCR among women attending the antenatal care clinic at Katakwi General Hospital, Eastern Uganda. Methods: This was a health facility based cross-sectional study. Three hundred and seventy-eight (378) pregnant mothers participated in the study. Three hundred and sixty-six (366) questionnaires were considered for analysis while 12 (3.3%)) were dropped due to errors/incompleteness. Results: The level of BPCR was not satisfactory. Mothers who were resident in urban/semi urban areas significantly had lower odds of BPCR. History of miscarriage was also significantly negatively associated with BPCR. More ANC visits were strongly associated with being birth prepared and complications ready. Conclusions. The level of practice of BPCR was low. Factors associated with BPCR were residence, ANC attendance and history of miscarriage. Recommendation: Education for mothers should be enhanced to improve on the practice levels of BPCR. Mothers with history of miscarriages and those resident in urban/semi urban settings should be given more education and counseling support to improve on their perception and practice of BPCR.