title: Birth preparedness and complication readiness among recently delivered women in chamwino district, central Tanzania: a cross sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Unacceptably high maternal mortality rates remain a challenge in developing countries such as Tanzania. Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness is among the key interventions that can reduce maternal mortality. Despite this, its status in Tanzania is not well documented. We assessed the practice and determinants of Birth preparedness and complication readiness among recently delivered women in Chamwino district, Central Tanzania.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community based cross-sectional study was conducted to women who delivered two years prior to survey in January 2014 at Chamwino district, Tanzania. Woman was considered as prepared for birth and its complication if she reported at least three of these; know expected date of delivery, saved money, identified a skilled birth attendant/health facility, mode of transport and Identified two compatible blood donors. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed at P value < 0.05 level of significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We interviewed 428 women whose median age (IQR) was 26.5 (22-33) years. About 249 (58.2 %) of the respondents were considered as prepared for birth and its complications. After controlling for confounding and clustering effect, significant determinants of birth preparedness and complication readiness were found to be maternal education (AOR = 2.26, 95 % CI; 1.39, 3.67), spouse employment (AOR = 2.18, 95 % CI; 1.46, 3.25), booking at ANC (AOR = 2.03, 95 % CI; 1.11, 3.72), Four or more antenatal visits, (AOR = 1.94, 95 % CI; 1.17, 3.21) and knowledge of key danger signs (AOR = 4.16, 95 % CI; 2.32, 7.45). Prepared for birth was found to be associated with institutional delivery (AOR = 2.45, 95 % CI; 1.12, 5.34).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proportion of women who prepared for birth and its complications were found to be low. District reproductive and child health coordinator should emphasis on early and frequent antenatal care visits, since they were among predictors of birth preparedness and complication readiness.
authors.affiliation: College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Dodoma, P.O. Box 259, Dodoma, Tanzania. bintabaradeo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Deogratius
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bintabara
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. mahd67@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. jannethmghamba@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Janneth
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mghamba
authors.affiliation: African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), P.O. Box 12874, Kampala, Uganda. pwasswa@afenet.net.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wasswa
authors.affiliation: Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65015, Dar Es, Salaam, Tanzania. rcmpembeni@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Rose N M
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Mpembeni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006285:Health Planning; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013636:Tanzania; D055815:Young Adult