Knowledge about birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Itojo General Hospital, Ntungamo District. A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background:

This study aims to determine the knowledge about birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Itojo General Hospital, Ntungamo District.

 Methodology:

The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, which enabled the collection of data from pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Itojo General Hospital within a relatively short period. Data was analyzed using SPSS v20 and presented as charts, tables, and graphs.

 Results:

The majority of the participants, 113(57.6%), were aged 20-29 years. Regarding education level, a large percentage of participants, 80(40.82%), had attained tertiary level education. 156 (79.6%) were from rural areas. The majority of the participants had obtained information about birth preparedness and complication readiness from health care providers, who accounted for (82.14%). 120 (61.2%) correctly identified bleeding, pain, and reduced fetal movements as danger signs, followed by (25.5%) who identified headache, vomiting, and nausea as danger signs. (8.2%) Some of the participants did not know any danger signs, and (5.1%) incorrectly identified a lack of money as a danger sign. All the 196 participants (100%) had agreed that ANC visits had improved on child preparedness and complication readiness.

 Conclusion:

Health care providers were the main source of BP/CR information, and participants showed moderate knowledge of danger signs. ANC visits improved awareness, but some gaps in recognizing complications remain.

 Recommendation:

 Health care providers should continue and intensify education on birth preparedness and complication readiness, with special emphasis on recognizing all key danger signs.