KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND FACTORS INFLUENCING BIRTH PREPAREDNESS AND COMPLICATION READINESS AMONG COUPLES IN MADONNA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ELELE, RIVERS STATE
Abstract
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ABSTRACT
Pregnancy in women is a very sensitive period during which unexpected life-threatening
complications may arise at any stage. The study assessed the factors influencing birth
preparedness and complication readiness among couples attending Madonna University
Teaching Hospital, Elele, Rivers State, with a view to identify factors influencing birth
preparedness, knowledge of danger sign, and level of practice of birth preparedness and
complication readiness among the respondents.
The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design and quantitative method for data
collection. A sample of 250 pregnant women was obtained Taro Yamane formulae and they
were selected using simple random technique. Data collection was done with a self-developed
semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using statistical package for social
sciences (SPSS) version 22. The research questions were answered using descriptive statistics
and inferential statistics.
The result of this study revealed the greatest fraction (92.4%) agreed that lack of knowledge of
key danger signs is a factor influencing birth preparedness, while on knowledge of
complications and danger signs during pregnancy (7.6%) had poor knowledge, (26.0%) had
fair knowledge and (66.4%) had good level of knowledge. On level of practice of birth
preparedness (70.4%) had good level of practice. A significant relationship was found between
respondents’ knowledge of danger signs and parity (df = 1, χ2= 14.57, p< 0.05) however, a
significant relationship was found between respondents’ level of birth preparedness and parity
(df = 3, χ2= 8.321, p< 0.05)).
The study hereby concluded that the couples attending Madonna University Teaching Hospital,
Elele, Rivers State have a high understanding of birth complications and danger signs during
pregnancy and also a high level of practice birth preparedness and complication readiness.
There is need to intensify education on danger signs during pregnancy and during labour in
order to promote child and maternal health.
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