Abstract

Back ground
Maternal mortality remains unacceptably in Nigeria. Birth preparedness and complications readiness (BPCR) addresses the delays in accessing necessary obstetric care among pregnant women, improving the likelihood of skilled attendance at delivery and pregnancy outcome. While studies have documented low levels of adoption of BPCR among pregnant women, there is limited information on the individual and family level underlying factors influencing adoption. This study assessed and compared the behavioural determinants of adoption of BPCR among pregnant women in Zaria metropolis.
Methodology
A cross sectional comparative study was designed. Quantitative data were collected using questionnaires from samples of 160 each of adopters and non-adopters of BPCR, who were pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy, selected using multi-staged sampling techniques. SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Qualitative data were collected using focus group discussion and key informant interviews and analysed manually using content analysis along thematic lines. These were subsequently triangulated with results of the quantitative component. Relationship between variables was tested using χ2 and z test at 0.05 α-level of significance. Logistic regression was used to adjust for effect of confounding in the statistical association between variables.
Results
Antenatal attendance was significantly higher (p = 0.038) among adopters (77.5%) compared to non-adopters (58.1%), but there was no significant difference in knowledge of obstetric danger signs between the two groups (p=0.170). Adopters had better knowledge of BPCR compared to non-adopters (p =0.096). ANC attendance (p= 0.037) and husband’s educational attainment (p = 0.039) as well as knowledge of danger signs (p = 0.048) and husband’s occupational status (p
2
<0.0001) were independently associated with respondent’s level of birth preparedness and complications readiness, respectively. Risk perception towards obstetric complications, perceived action efficacy and perceived self efficacy werethe significant behavioural determinants of adoption of BPCR (p < 0.0001). Likewise, appreciation of the advantages and social acceptability of the BPCR practices especially husband’s support and approval of the respondents’ religion were found to be significantly associated with adoption of BPCR (p <0.0001).
Conclusion
Adopters had significantly higher knowledge of BPCR, exhibited higher risk perception, positive attitude, control beliefs and motivations to comply with BPCR than non-adopters.
Reccomendations
The findings call for use of social marketing strategy for behaviour change communication intervention to address gaps identified in BPCR knowledge and practice.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BEHAVIOURAL DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTERS AND NON-ADOPTERS OF BIRTH PREPAREDNESS AND COMPLICATIONS READINESS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN ZARIA METROPOLIS, KADUNA STATE.