Study to Assess Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness to Promote Safe Motherhood among Women from a Rural Area of Western Maharashtra

BACKGROUND: Promotion of maternal health should be an integrated approach comprising adequate planning of pregnancy coupled with the awareness of the available maternal and child health services and its utilization. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPACR) among antenatal and postnatal women and to assess the factors related to it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 antenatal and postnatal women attending a tertiary care hospital of Karad. Antenatal women in their third trimester and postnatal women up to Postnatal day-7 were included. Institutional ethical clearance was obtained before the commencement of the study. All the women were interviewed after their informed consent using the appropriately validated and modified BPACR tool developed with respect to the Indian setup. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analysis were carried out to determine the various associated factors with BPACR. RESULTS: The study population comprised 55.5% antenatal mothers and 44.5% postnatal mothers. The BPACR index was found to be 59.56, and the maximum had a good BPACR 208 (52%). There was poor knowledge regarding blood transfusion, danger signs, and available community resources. A higher level of education had a statistically significant association with BPACR (46.2%) in women educated above high school). Women belonging to the upper class had two times, and postnatal women had 2.02 times increased chances for a good BPACR. CONCLUSION: An inclusion of components related to BPACR during pregnancy will improve timely and adequate access to healthcare, better management of complications, and thereby improve both maternal and fetal outcomes.