title: Awareness of birth preparedness and complication readiness in southeastern Nigeria.
abstract: The aims of this study are to assess the awareness and intention to use maternity services. This was a multicentric study involving 800 women. Educational status was the best predictor of awareness of birth preparedness (P = 0.0029), but not a good predictor of intention to attend four antenatal clinic sessions (P = 0.449). Parity was a better predictor of knowledge of severe vaginal bleeding as a key danger sign during pregnancy than educational level (P = 0.0009 and P = 0.3849, resp.). Plan to identify a means of transport to the place of childbirth was related to greater awareness of birth preparedness (χ(2) = 0.3255; P = 0.5683). Parity was a highly significant predictor (P = 0.0089) of planning to save money. Planning to save money for childbirth was associated with greater awareness of community financial support system (χ(2) = 0.8602; P = 0.3536). Access to skilled birth attendance should be promoted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar P.M.B 1278, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ekabua
authors.forename: Kufre J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ekabua
authors.forename: Patience
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Odusolu
authors.forename: Thomas U
authors.initials: TU
authors.lastname: Agan
authors.forename: Christopher U
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Iklaki
authors.forename: Aniekan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Etokidem