Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among women attending Antenatal Clinic in Enugu Metropolis.

IntroductionHigh maternal mortality is a major problem in the developing world. Ill birth preparedness and complication readiness is the major single most important cause of maternal mortality in developing countries in Africa, of which Nigeria is one of the populous. This study aims to assess the level of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness[BPCR] among pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinic in ESUTH Parklane - the teaching hospital in Enugu Metropolis. MethodsThis was a questionnaire based cross-sectional descriptive study on the knowledge, attitude and practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women who attend antenatal care clinic in ESUT Teaching Hospital Parklane. Inclusion criteriaO_LIPregnant mothers C_LIO_LIThose willing to participate C_LIO_LIThose available at the time of data collection. C_LI Exclusion criteriaO_LIThose not present on the day of examination. C_LIO_LIThose unwilling to participate. C_LI ResultsOur study showed that 81.8% of respondent has heard about birth preparedness and complication readiness. The study showed that the highest number of respondent first heard about birth preparedness and complication readiness from antenatal services (61.1%), followed by health workers (20.8%) then social media (11.6%). The respondent had a knowledge of at least one danger signs of which vaginal bleeding was ranking the highest in pregnancy (61.4%), childbirth (43.6%) and post partum (46.6%) followed by foul smelling vaginal discharge (10.6%), (6.8%), and (7.6%) respectively and other symptoms. A vast majority of the population felt that birth preparedness and complication readiness was important (93.2%), with many pointing out that they would preferred to come to antenatal care(89%) as against staying at home or going to work, the compliance level of these women to regular antenatal care visits is (94.7%) and many more complaint with routine drugs(92.8%). 91.3% are prepared for the birth of the child, with majority having happy emotions (83%) towards the pregnancy. Spouse support was (95.5%). ConclusionKnowledge of birth preparedness is very high among the study population. High level of spouse involvement in our study population and compliance to antenatal visits and routine drugs, good antenatal services, stable financial income, family size and outcome of previous pregnancies affects level of preparation and complication readiness and should lead to good pregnancy outcome, improved family health, increase living status and reduced maternal and infant mortality rate.