Knowledge, Practice Towards Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Nyamagana Health Centre in Mwanza Tanzania

Abstract

Gotfrida Marandu and Victor Mwaiswelo

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is a key component of globally accepted safe motherhood programs, including those in Tanzania. BPCR helps women deliver safely by ensuring prompt access to skilled care during labor and by facilitating the early recognition of complications. The ultimate goal of the study was to contribute to better maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Mwanza. By improving BPCR, the study hoped to reduce complications during childbirth and increase the number of safe deliveries in the region.

Method: This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design conducted from 23rd June 2021 to 30th September 2021 at an antenatal clinic in Mwanza, Tanzania, to assess birth preparedness among pregnant women. Data analysis was complected and report writing was completed 12th June 2022. A total of 107 participants were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including numerical summaries, frequencies, proportions, and percentages, were used to analyze the data and assess normality. These statistics were then employed to describe the study population in relation to relevant variables.

Result: In this study of 107 pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in Mwanza, Tanzania, (89.7%) of the women responded. Almost half (60%) of the women had poor knowledge of danger signs and birth preparedness, 26% had fair knowledge, and only 14% had adequate knowledge. The mean percentage of knowledge on obstetric danger signs was 42.7% during pregnancy, 42.8% during labor, and 32.3% during the postpartum period.

Conclusion: Pregnant women in Mwanza, Tanzania have low levels of knowledge about danger signs and birth preparedness. This is a concern because it can lead to delays in seeking care for pregnancy complications and childbirth emergencies. To address this problem, we need to strengthen antenatal care services and provide women with access to reliable information about danger signs and birth preparedness, training antenatal care providers to educate women on danger signs and birth preparedness.

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