Magnitude of Birth Preparedness among Pregnant Women Seeking Skilled Birth Services at a Rural Hospital in Western Uganda:

Abstract

Abstract: Although the practice of preparing for childbirth among pregnant women is associated with 24.0% and 53.0% reduction in neonatal and maternal mortality respectively in low income countries, it remains inadequately practiced in low income countries. This study sought to assess the level of birth preparedness among pregnant women at one of the rural hospitals in Uganda. This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted among 332 pregnant women in first stage of normal labour between April and May 2017 at Kagadi hospital, a rural hospital in Uganda. A pregnant woman was considered prepared for childbirth if she fulfilled at least three of the following five birth preparedness elements; saving money, booking birth companion, identifying home caretaker, having at least six birth items and booking means of transport to the health facility. Data were collected using a researcher administered questionnaire. Nearly all respondents had identified birth companion (93.7%) and prepared at least one birth material (97.3%). However, only about half of respondents had procured at least six birth items (48.2%). A small proportion of respondents had reasonable money savings of at least 27.7 US dollars (20.7%). Slightly less than half of respondents had booked someone to take care of their homes (41.3%) and had booked means of transport (40.0%) Overall, only 28.3 percent of the participants had fulfilled at least three of the five elements and were considered as prepared for birth. We observed that most of the pregnant women were not prepared for childbirth. To scale up birth preparedness in rural settings, we recommend that providers of antenatal care services should intensify on assisting pregnant women to draw and continuously review birth plans. We further recommend that birth plan should focus on the five elements commended by the Ministry of Health.