Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness is the process of planning for normal birth and anticipating the actions needed in case of an emergency. It is also a strategy to promote the timely use of skilled maternal care, especially during childbirth, based on the theory that preparing for childbirth reduces delays in obtaining this care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess birth preparedness and complication readiness among women of child bearing age group in Goba woreda, Oromia region, Ethiopia.
Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in Goba woreda, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Multistage sampling was employed. Descriptive, binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. Statistically significant tests were declared at a level of significance of P value < 0.05.
Results: Only 29.9% of the respondents were prepared for birth and its complications. And, only 82 (14.6%) study participants were knowledgeable about birth preparedness and complication readiness.Variables having statistically significant association with birth preparedness and complication readiness of women were attending up to primary education (AOR = 3.24, 95% CI = 1.75, 6.02), attending up to secondary and higher level of education (AOR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.34, 6.15), the presence of antenatal care follow up (AOR = 8.07, 95% CI = 2.41,27.00), knowledge about key danger signs during pregnancy (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.06,2.88), and knowledge about key danger signs during the postpartum period (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.20,3.60).
Conclusions: Only a small number of respondents were prepared for birth and its complications. Furthermore, the vast majority of women were not knowledgeable about birth preparedness and complication readiness. Residence, educational status, ANC follow up, knowledge of key danger signs during pregnancy and the postpartum period were independent predictors of birth preparedness and complication readiness.