FACTORS INFLUENCING BIRTH PREPAREDNESS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN OFFINSO SOUTH MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT Birth preparedness (BP) is a major factor to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. The main purpose of the study was to determine factors that influence birth preparedness among pregnant women. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used with a sample size of 395 pregnant women in their third trimester recruited for the study at the Offinso South Municipal. A multistage sampling strategy was used for the study. First, the computed sample size was divided equally among the five sub-municipalities. A simple random sampling technique was then used to recruit respondents attending the antenatal clinics at each sub-municipality. A standardized questionnaire was adopted from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and modified to suit the purpose and focus of the study. The data was managed and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 21. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Specifically, Pearson (r) correlation was done to determine the relationships between the variables and birth preparedness. Multiple linear regression and mediation analyses were done to control for possible confounding variables. Pvalues less than 0.05 were taken as showing significant associations at a 95% confidence level. The findings revealed that pregnant women have good attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and behavioural intention towards birth preparedness. The women were motivated by themselves, their husbands and their peers to do birth preparedness. Moderate and strong positive correlations were established among the study variables. Behavioural intention predicted birth preparedness and partially mediated the relationships between the study variables and birth preparedness. However, minority of the respondents still demonstrated low and poor attitude, socio-cultural beliefs, perceived behavioural control and readiness to do birth preparedness. Therefore, health promotion strategies on birth preparedness are recommended.