From Awareness to Financial Readiness: Evaluating Structured Public Health Education for Childbirth and Obstetric Emergency Preparedness among Antenatal Clinic Attendees in Delta North, Nigeria

Background: Financial preparedness is an important component of birth preparedness and complication readiness, particularly where inadequate resources may delay access to skilled obstetric care. This study examined the effect of structured public health education on financial preparation for childbirth and financial readiness for obstetric emergencies among antenatal clinic attendees in Delta North, Nigeria. Methods: A cluster-based quasi-experimental pretest–posttest comparison-group design was employed among 168 antenatal clinic attendees recruited from eight public health facilities in Oshimili North and Oshimili South Local Government Areas, Delta State, Nigeria. Four facilities were assigned to the intervention group (n = 84), while four served as comparison facilities (n = 84). Participants were assessed at baseline, immediately after intervention and at eight-week follow-up using a structured Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness questionnaire. Of the 168 participants recruited, 158 completed the follow-up assessment, representing a retention rate of 94.05%, while 10 participants (5.95%) were lost to follow-up. Descriptive statistics and baseline-adjusted analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to evaluate intervention-associated differences in financial preparedness. Results: Structured public health education was associated with significant improvements in financial preparation for childbirth at immediate post-intervention, F(1, 155) = 37.22, p < .001, partial η² = .194, and eight-week follow-up, F(1, 155) = 66.16, p < .001, partial η² = .299. Financial readiness for obstetric emergencies also showed a significant intervention-associated effect at eight-week follow-up, F(1, 155) = 85.85, p < .001, partial η² = .356. These findings indicate improvements in both financial preparedness domains, with intervention-associated differences remaining evident eight weeks after education. Conclusion: Structured public health education was associated with improved financial preparedness for childbirth and obstetric emergencies. Integrating practical financial planning into routine antenatal education may strengthen maternal preparedness. However, improved self-reported preparedness does not necessarily establish adequate savings or the affordability of emergency obstetric care.