Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness Among Women of Reproductive Age in a Peri-Urban Community in South-South, Nigeria

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Published: 2026-01-25
DOI: https://doi.org/10.71526/jmwan.v10i3.106
Keywords:
Birth Preparedness, Complication Readiness, Antenatal Care (ANC), Maternal mortality, Women of Reproductive Age, South-South Nigeria

Main Article Content

Ewere Scholastica Ehinze
Department of Public Health and  Community Medicine, University of  Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City,  PMB 1111, Edo State. 
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7586-047X
Joy Chinyere Nwaogwugwu
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, PMB 1111, Edo State
Mbalya Jude Rabo
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, PMB 1111, Edo State
David Ikechukwu Nkwagu
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, PMB 1111, Edo State
Chinelo Jennifer Nebe
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, PMB 1111, Edo State
Arewah Samson Ikechukwuka
Department of Community Health,  University of Benin, Benin City, PMB  1154, Edo State.
Eche Benjamin Chidiebere
Department of Community Health,  University of Benin, Benin City, PMB  1154, Edo State.
Samuel Ifechukwude Awai
Department of Community Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State
Blossom Eseoghene Aziken
Department of Community Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State
Vincent Chidiebube Orji
Department of Community Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State
Joshua Effiong Bassey
Department of Community Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State
David Ohimai Dan-Ugbomoiko
Department of Community Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State
Amen Bazuaye
Department of Community Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State
Ndubuisi Mokogwu
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, PMB 1111, Edo State | Department of Community Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State.
Andrew Ifeanyichukwu Obi
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, PMB 1111, Edo State | Department of Community Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State.
Vincent Yakubu Adam
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, PMB 1111, Edo State | Department of Community Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State
Vivian Ossaidiom Omuemu
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, PMB 1111, Edo State | Department of Community Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State.

Abstract

Introduction: Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is a strategy to ensure adequate planning for childbirth and complications that may arise for mother or baby. Various factors related to poor birth preparation and poor-quality healthcare contribute to perinatal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. This study assessed the factors influencing BPCR among women of reproductive age in Isiohor, Benin City, South-South, Nigeria.


Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 655 women selected using a cluster sampling method. Tools for data collection included a structured-intervieweradministered questionnaire, a focused group discussion, and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analysed with IBM SPSS version 27, while a thematic content analysis approach was utilised for qualitative data. Statistical significance was set at a p-value < 0.05, using a 95% confidence level.


Results: A majority, 543 (82.9%), had good BPCR. Marital status (p < 0.001), marriage type (p < 0.001), socioeconomic status (p < 0.001), gravidity (p = 0.031), parity (p < 0.001), outcome of last confinement (p = 0.001), ANC registration (p < 0.001), and number of antenatal care (ANC) contacts (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with BPCR. Age (AOR = 1.234; 95% CI: 1.004 – 1.516) and number of ANC contacts (AOR = 0.343; 95% CI: 0.176 – 0.667) were significant predictors of BPCR.


Conclusion: Age and number of ANC contacts were significant predictors of BPCR. Interventions to increase BPCR enlightenment programmes, expand health insurance coverage, encourage ANC registration, and ensure availability of functional emergency transport systems are critical to promoting BPCR.

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Article Details

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): JMWAN Special Issue on Reducing Maternal Mortality

Section

Original Article
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Ehinze, E., Nwaogwugwu, J., Rabo, M., Nkwagu, D., Nebe, C., Arewah, S., Chidiebere, E., Awai, S., Aziken, B., Orji, V., Bassey, J., Dan-Ugbomoiko, D., Bazuaye, A., Mokogwu, N., Obi, A., Adam, V., & Omuemu, V. (2026). Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness Among Women of Reproductive Age in a Peri-Urban Community in South-South, Nigeria. Journal of The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.71526/jmwan.v10i3.106

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