Cross-sectional study on birth preparedness and complication readiness among women attending tertiary care center in north karnataka

Background: Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) is the process of preparing for a normal birth and anticipating the measures required in the event of an emergency. It consists of discrete elements such as awareness of warning indicators, familiarity with use of community resources and the prenatal care arrangements established by a woman and her family. Despite being a cost-effective technique for improving maternal and neonatal health, BPCR is a neglected topic in India. Therefore, this current study was undertaken with the objectives of assessing BPCR and to determine the factors associated with it among the antenatal and recently delivered women, in a tertiary care setting of Kalaburagi, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 373 antenatal and recently delivered women attending tertiary care centre, Kalaburagi, using purposive sampling method from July to September 2024. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and the BPCR was evaluated at the individual level using indicators from the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO). Data were entered in Microsoft excel and analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Our study found that 65% of the participants were well prepared for the birth and complication which arises from it and the BPCR index was 50.8%. Binary logistic regression revealed participants who residing in rural area [OR=2], graduate [OR=4], belonged to upper socioeconomic class [OR=3] and women with graduate [OR=6] and government employed spouses [OR=8] were found to be well prepared for the birth and complication compared to others. And these factors were statistically significant. Conclusion: Pregnant women's understanding and utilization of BPCR services must be improved and the variables influencing their behaviour and decision-making with regard to BPCR must be addressed with the help of healthcare workers at the grassroot level (ANM, ASHA, and AWW) and also antenatal clinics can be utilized for the same.