Socio-Demographic Factors that Influence Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Women attending the Antenatal Clinic at Mbagathi County Hospital, Nairobi City, Kenya

Abstract

IntroductionThe risk of life threatening obstetric emergencies can be faced by any pregnant woman.  There is an association between neonatal and maternal mortality and morbidity and Lack of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BP/CR).This study was carried out in May 2016 among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic(ANC) at Mbagathi Hospital. The aim of the study was to identify socio demographic factors that influence birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women aged 18-49 years attending ANC at Mbagathi Hospital.

Methods. Descriptive cross-sectional study design applyingboth quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect data from 202 purposively sampled expectant mothers (32 weeks of gestation and above) aged between 18-49 years who were attending the antenatal clinic during the study period and four nurses from the maternity department were also used as key informants. Data collection tools used were semi-structured questionnaires for the women, interview guides for one focused group discussion composed of eight mothers, and Key Informant Interviews with four nurses,

Findings.  There was aremarkable association between maternal age, marital status, and birth and emergency preparedness. Of the 85 mothers aged ≤24 years, 63 (74.1%) were adequately prepared compared to those aged 25-34 years, 75 (72.8%) and those aged 35 years and above, 13 out of 14 (92.9%) reported being adequately prepared for childbirth and its complications. Out of 178 married women 137 (77%) were adequately prepared for birth compared to 24 single women, of which 14 (58.3%) were adequately prepared, OR = 0.42 (0.17-1.01), p = 0.054. The level of education, occupation, did not show remarkable relationship with the level of birth preparedness and complication readiness

Conclusions-The study findings showed that the socio demographic factors that have a remarkable influence on birth preparedness and complication readiness are, age and marital status.