Adugna Tafa, Dejene Hailu, Jemal Ebrahim, Melesse Gebrie and Negash Wakgari
Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness plan is a major strategic tool designed to reduce maternal deaths. Despite its importance on maternal mortality reduction, its practice is less studied in Ethiopia. Hence, this study assessed birth preparedness and complication readiness practices and associated factors among antenatal care attendees in Kofale district, south east Ethiopia. Method: Cross-sectional study was conducted among 555 antenatal care clients. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Results: In this study, 41.3% of the women were wellprepared for birth and its complications. Over two third (69.0%) women identified place of delivery ahead of their current pregnancy and while 20.5% of them identified skilled birth attendants. Maternal education (2.02 (95% CI: 1.33- 3.06)), age group from 21-25 (2.68 (95% CI: 1.23-5.85)) and being aware of danger signs (2.01 (95% CI: 1.40-2.88)) were independent predictors of birth preparedness and complication readiness practices. Conclusion: Less than half of the interviewed mothers were prepared for birth and related complications. Maternal education, age and awareness of danger signs were among the major predictors identified to have impact on birth preparedness and complication readiness. Further studies on why women prepared less, especially to address whether the gaps are from health care providers, women or any other factors is required
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