“What you are asking is not what we are told to prepare’’: A communitybased study of Birth preparedness and complication readiness among postpartum women in a rural district, northern Tanzania

Author(s): Minael G. Mjemmas, Edwin J. Shewiyo, Ester J. Diarz, Patricia Swai, Beatrice J. Leyaro, Sia E. Msuya.

Background:

This study aimed to assess knowledge and practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness among women in a rural district, northern Tanzania.

Methods:

A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2019, among women who delivered in the 24 months prior to the study. A validated maternal neonatal program JHPIEGO tool was translated, modified and used for data collection through face-to-face interviews. Results:

A total of 372 women participated; the mean age was 28.5 (S.D 7.1) years. Among these, 93.3% reported they were counseled on BPCR plan. A majority (96%) were counseled to prepare birth materials, 26.9% to prepare money, 13.2% counseled to prepare transport and 1.1% informed on choosing birth attendant. (95.7%) prepared birth materials (clothes, gloves), 30.1% prepared money, 8.1% prepared transport and 2.7% prepared blood donors. Only 13.7% of the women prepared ≥3 components of BPCR plan. Counseling for danger signs during pregnancy was associated with having a BPCR plan (p= 0.003). Preparing ≥3 components was significantly associated with postnatal care use (p=0.005), but not with 4+ ANC visits (p = 0.875) or SBA use (p=0.057).

Conclusion:

Women are counseled on birth preparedness but not on components that can save lives in case of complications. The need to change counseling on birth preparedness plan is required.