The Factors Affecting the Level of Women's Awareness of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness in the Lake Zone, Tanzania: A Cross-sectional Study.
Ennegrace Nkya, Thecla W Kohi
PMID 33521147WHAT IT FOUND
Among 737 pregnant and postnatal women in Tanzania, only 35.4% mentioned at least three birth-preparedness components, and only 40.0% could mention at least five danger signs, despite 97.8% having heard of birth preparedness.
Key findings
01Only 35.4% of 737 women mentioned at least three of five birth-preparedness components, and 40.0% could mention at least five danger signs across pregnancy, labour and postpartum.
02Multi-gravidity, awareness of at least three danger signs, and using public transport were the main predictors of the level of awareness of birth preparedness and complication readiness.
03Most women had heard about birth preparedness and complication readiness (97.8%), and health professionals during antenatal care were the main source (89.7%).
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was done at only two health facilities in Nyamagana District, so the results may not apply to other areas of Tanzania. Participants were recruited from reproductive and child health clinics, so women who did not attend those clinics were not captured. Awareness was self-reported and could have been influenced by family members. Because the design was cross-sectional, it cannot show that any factor caused better birth preparedness awareness. Recall and interviewer bias were noted as potential sources of bias.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that antenatal counselling improved birth preparedness. It is a cross-sectional survey of reported awareness, and the authors state cause-effect relationships cannot be shown.