Assessment of the Birth and Emergency Preparedness Level of Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in a Primary Health Care Centre in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Birth preparedness helps ensure that women can access professional delivery care when labor begins and reduces the delay that occurs when women experience obstetric complications. This cross sectional study was aimed at assessing the birth and emergency preparedness level of 250 pregnant women attending Antenatal Care (ANC) in a Primary Health Care (PHC) in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. The subjects were selected through a systematic sampling technique and the data was analyzed using SPSS version 17 statistical software, and the results were presented in tables. The results showed that 161(64.4%) identified a place of delivery, 210(84%) said they wanted to deliver in the hospital, while 40(16%) choose home as their preferred place. 135 (54%) made arrangement for transportation, while 115(46%) did not. Only 58(23.2%) of the pregnant women made arrangements for blood donation, while majority (83.6%) of the women saved money for the purchase of delivery items. The finding s of this study suggests therefore, that a large proportion of the pregnant women did not prepare for childbirth and emergencies especially the prior arrangement for transportation and blood donation.

Key words: Birth, emergency, preparedness, danger signs, pregnant women