Abstract:
BACKGROUND : Birth preparedness and complication readiness has as goal to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
This concept developed by the organizations of the United Nations permits pregnant women and their families seek
health care without delay in case of obstetric complications and delivery. Though its benefits have been proven in
several countries, little is known of this in Cameroon and specifically in the North West Region. Therefore, the intention
of the study was to assess the awareness and practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness in this health
district.
METHODS : This was a facility-based cross sectional study carried out in the Bamenda health district of the North West
Region, Cameroon. Three hundred forty-five pregnant women of ≥32 weeks gestational age seen at the antenatal
consultation units were recruited. The dependent variable was birth preparedness and complication readiness while
the independent variables were the socio-demographic and reproductive health characteristics. Data collected was
analyzed with SPSS and Microsoft excel. Frequency distributions were used to determine the awareness and practice of
birth preparedness and complication readiness.
RESULTS : Of the 345 pregnant women included in this study, 159(46.1%) were aware of birth preparedness and
complication readiness. The practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness was unsatisfactory as only
65(18.8%) were considered prepared.
CONCLUSION : Education and counselling on birth preparedness and complication readiness is not made available to the
pregnant women resulting in poor knowledge. Thus, reflected in the low practice of preparation for birth and its
complication observed.
