The Impact of Birth Preparedness on Pregnancy Outcome: Findings from Lurambi Sub County, Kakamega County, Kenya

Background: Annual global estimate of 287,000 maternal deaths were recorded in 2010 as a result of complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia accounted for 85% of this burden (245,000 maternal deaths). Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) is a relatively common strategy employed by numerous groups implementing safe motherhood programs. Aim: To determine the link between birth preparedness and complication readiness to pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Health facility based cross-sectional study was used among women in the reproductive age group 15-49 years at 36 weeks and above of gestation who were attending Antenatal care (ANC). The pregnancy outcomes were defined as either favourable or unfavourable events for both mother and baby. A birth preparedness assessment index (BPAI) was developed and used to assess preparedness of respondents. Results: The respondents were at different levels of birth preparedness based on a Birth Preparedness and Assessment Index (BPAI); 28.9% were at level 1; 40.0% at level 2; 25.6% at level 3 and 6.4% at level 4. There were no cases reported at level 5 which represented the best level of preparedness. However, there was no relationship between pregnancy outcome and the level of birth preparedness (p=0.915). The ANC attendance was associated with birth preparedness (Odds ratio [OR]=2.7026, 95% confidence interval), which suggested that those mothers who had 3 or more ANC visits, undertook adequate birth preparations were almost 3 times more likely to experience favourable birth outcome than those who did not. Conclusion: The age of the mother, marital status, ANC attendance, delivery preparations and birth weight were the most significant variables in determining pregnancy outcome. Therefore, there is need for community education on preparation for birth and its complication.