Birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant and recently delivered women in villages of a block of Ganjam, Odisha, India: a community based cross-sectional study

Background: Globally approximately 830 women die from pregnancy and child birth every day. Most of deaths can be prevented by proper planning like birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR). The aim of study was to assess awareness and practice regarding BPCR among pregnant women and recently delivered women and to identify socio-demographic factors affecting it.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from September to December 2018 in villages of Chhatrapur block of Ganjam District among pregnant women (completed 24 weeks) and recently delivered women (12 months) regardless of newborn outcome. Sample size was calculated to be 96. Multi stage random sampling was adopted and PPS (Probability proportional to size) method was used. A questionnaire was used which contained socio-demographic information and set of 11 indicators to determine BPCR index. All data were analysed in SPSS.Results: BPCR index was 44.6% and it was higher (61%) in recently delivered women. 26% can be said to be well prepared and 45.8%, 27%, 32.3%, 37.5% knew at least one key danger sign in pregnancy, delivery, post partum and about new born respectively. A significant association was found between maternal education, age and pregnancy with awareness regarding BPCR.Conclusions: BPCR index in study area was low and a low proportion of participants were well prepared. Awareness about danger signs was quite low. So health workers at grassroots level should be encouraged to explain BPCR components to women and educational activities should be carried out to promote women to make plan a priori