Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness: Pregnant Women Perspective in Ondo State, Nigeria (Published)
Globally, maternal mortality and morbidity continue to be major public health issues, particularly in low and middle-income countries including Nigeria where access to skilled birth attendants (SBA) remain major challenge. Increasing the number of pregnancies attended by SBA could aid in lowering maternal morbidity and mortality. This study explores the perception of pregnant women towards Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) in selected Primary Health care facilities of Ondo State, Nigeria. The study employed a qualitative approach where focus group discussion among twenty-two pregnant women were selected from primary health care. Data was analysed using inductive thematic method. Two thematic categories which include knowledge and Practice of pregnant women on BPCR, and seven subthemes emerged from the data; they included knowledge of danger signs, routine scan, and diet, purchase of baby and hospital items, antenatal registration, and exclusive breastfeeding. Poor perception of BPCR and practice were identified among the participants. Hence, the need for midwives to include all the elements BPCR into the prenatal education in order to reduce maternal health complications and death is recommended as this would lead to positive pregnancy outcome.
Keywords: Birth Preparedness, Complication Readiness, Pregnant Women, Prenatal education