This study found that the participants had good knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness during pregnancy, and more than half received the information from the antenatal clinic. This is similar to the study done by Florence M, Atuhaire C, et al [12] in Openzinzi Hciii, Adjumani District, Uganda, which revealed that more than half of pregnant women in Uganda had knowledge of BP/CR, but only a few had practiced all of the components of BP/CR. The most common sources of information about BP/CR were from health professionals, family members, and friends. A similar study done by Mulugeta AK, Giru BW,et al [13] in Addis Ababa governmental health facilities, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, showed that more than half of primigravida women in Ethiopia had knowledge of BP/CR. The most common sources of information about BP/CR were health professionals and family members and friends. Another study done by Moshi FV, Ernest A, Fabian F et al [14] in rural Tanzania revealed that most of the pregnant women had knowledge of BP/CR and the most common sources of information about BP/CR were health facilities. All of these studies suggest that BP/CR is an important concept that pregnant women should be aware of. However, the studies also show that there is still room for improvement in terms of knowledge and practice of BP/CR. It is important to continue to provide education and support to pregnant women and their partners so that they can be prepared for childbirth and complications.
The finding of this study found that more than half of the participants were aware that vaginal bleeding is the most dangerous sign during pregnancy, in labor, and postpartum, although most pregnant women are not prepared for Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BP/CR). A similar study done by Rabiu A, Ladu HI.et al [15] in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria revealed that ninety-three percent of pregnant women in Nigeria had knowledge of at least one obstetric danger sign, but only a few had knowledge of all four major danger signs (vaginal bleeding, severe headache, blurred vision, and swollen hands and face) and only 39.0% of women had a BP/CR plan. A study done by Zuniga JA, Garcia A, et al. [16, 17] in rural Uganda revealed that more than half of pregnant women in rural Uganda had knowledge of at least one obstetric danger sign, but only a few had knowledge of all four major danger signs and only 18.0% of women had a BP/CR plan. Other studies have also revealed that pregnant women had knowledge of at least one obstetric danger sign, but only very few of them had knowledge of all four major danger signs and the majority of pregnant women did not have a BP/CR plan. Although pregnant women are generally aware of vaginal bleeding as a dangerous sign during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, a large number of pregnant women are not prepared for birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR). This may be due to a lack of adequate knowledge of BP/CR and how to overcome complications during pregnancy. Being aware of danger signs does not necessarily translate into preparedness for birth and complications. More needs to be done to support pregnant women in developing BP/CR plans.
Limitations of the study
This study assessed knowledge and practice towards birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Nyamagana Health Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania. Although the methodology used provided an opportunity to follow up and clarify some issues with the respondents, the study had some limitations. First, the study had a small sample size, which could limit the generalizability of the findings. Second, the study may not have controlled for all confounding variables, which could have influenced the results. Lastly, the study had a short follow-up period, which could have limited the ability to assess the long-term impact of the intervention.
Despite these limitations, the study provides valuable insights into the knowledge and preparedness of pregnant women regarding BP/CR. The findings suggest that there is a need to continue to provide education and support to pregnant women and their partners on BP/CR. This can be done through a variety of channels, such as antenatal care, community outreach programs, and mass media campaigns. BP/CR programs should be tailored to the specific needs of pregnant women in different communities and should be culturally appropriate and accessible to all pregnant women, regardless of their socioeconomic status.