Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Motherhood is a time of anticipation of joy for a woman, her family, and her community. In spite of this
fact, it is not as enjoyable as it should be because of numerous reasons. Insufficiency or lack of birth preparedness and
complication readiness is the most common reason. The aim of this study was to assess the practice of birth
preparedness and complication readiness and associated factors among pregnant women in Tehuledere
district, northeast Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehuledere district, northeast Ethiopia.
Participants were selected using the multistage sampling technique, and data were analyzed both descriptively and
analytically using the binary logistic regression.
Result: Out of the total 507 samples, 500 (response rate 98.6%) pregnant women participated in the study. Less than half
(44.6%) and (43.4%) of the respondents had knowledge and practice on birth preparedness and complication readiness,
respectively. In the multivariate analysis, knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness (AOR = 1.648,
95%CI: 1.073, 2.531), knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy (AOR = 2.802, 95% CI: 1.637, 4.793), gestational age
(AOR = 3.379, 95% CI: 2.114, 5.401), and antenatal care follow up starting time (AOR = 2.841, 95% CI: 1.330, 6.068) were
significantly associated with the practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness, but pregnant
women in rural areas (AOR = 0.442, 95% CI:0.244, 0.803) were less associated with birth preparedness and
complication readiness compared to women in urban settlements.
Conclusion: This study identified that poor knowledge, inadequate birth preparedness, and complication readiness
were prevalent among mothers in the study area. Government officials, partners, and health care providers working in
the areas of maternal and child health should operate together to maximize birth preparedness and complication
readiness practices.
