Introduction

Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is an all-inclusive approach intended to promote well-timed utilization of skilled maternal and child health care. It is a planned means to deal with the three delays (delay in seeking care, in reaching care, and in receiving care) at various stages [1]. It is among the important strategies that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended and included in the focused ANC (antenatal care) provision [2].

Pregnancy as well as delivery-associated complications are the main public health challenges for many nations around the globe [3]. Around two hundred eighty-seven thousand mothers lost their lives due to pregnancy, delivery, and their consequences in 2020 worldwide. The vast majority (95%) of these losses of life happened in low and lower-middle-income nations [4]. According to the first ever Somaliland Health and Demographic Survey (SLHDS) 2020 report, the ANC coverage of the Somaliland was about 47%, and the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was estimated at 396 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births [5].

Among the leading causes of death among women of reproductive age in developing nations are obstetric-related complications [6]. Many of these dangerous complications are difficult to predict. But they can be prevented with well-timed decisions, preparations, and access to emergency maternal health services [7]. The main reasons for such deaths were frequently attributed to a lack of utilization of available obstetrics care facilities during pregnancy and a lack of adequate planning and preparation for possible dangers related to child delivery. Utilization of existing obstetrics care facilities and having better plans and preparations for possible dangers during pregnancy and childbirth could markedly improve and promote maternal health [8]. Preparing mothers throughout pregnancy for labor and childbirth dangers that can occur at any point in time has paramount importance in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity [3].

BPCR is an approach used to maintain the timely use of skilled maternal and neonatal services, particularly during childbirth, based on the theory that being prepared for delivery and being ready for dangers decrease delay in getting these services [1].

Birth preparedness comprises identifying a skilled provider, having the required plans to obtain skilled care for childbirth, and getting prepared for the safest delivery. It encourages mothers, families, and society to undertake measures such as identifying obtainable transport, preparing money to pay for various fees, and preparing blood donors, thereby enabling quick decision-making and minimizing postponement of getting the services when problems occur. Furthermore, it invites providers and health institutions to get prepared for childbirth and manage obstetric emergencies [1]. It is a major, practically compelling, and rational way of dealing with life-threatening delays. It is an approach providing proper service for the mothers and the neonates during pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal periods, comprising plans for emergency management and setting enabling conditions for the survival of the mothers and neonates [9].

Maternal health is one of the sub-goals included in Goal 3 of the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals). It states that by 2030, the global maternal mortality ratio should be reduced to less than 70 per 100,000 live births, and no country should have a MMR greater than 140 per 100,000 live births [10]. Even though the maternal mortality rate in Somaliland of 396 doesn’t look very high, it is so far from achieving the desired SDG goal of 70 by the year 2030.

In spite of the fact that BPCR strategies are extremely important for the betterment of maternal and child health and the prevention of loss of life, little is known about the status of BPCR and influencing factors among women in Hargeisa town, Somaliland. No studies conducted in Hargeisa, Somaliland, have examined BPCR. Thus, there is a need to understand the level of BPCR and the factors associated with it, with a view to suggesting measures for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality rates. The Somaliland Health and Demographic Survey 2020 (HDS), released in October 2020 [5], didn’t address anything regarding BPCR. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the status of BPCR and its associated factors among women who gave birth recently in Hargeisa town, Somaliland.

Materials and methods

Results

Sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents

A total of 300 women who gave birth in the past 12 months preceding this study participated in the study. Their age ranged from 18 to 43 years, with a mean (±SD) of 28.9 years (±5.8) and a median of 29, of which more than half, 172 women (57.3%), belonged to 25–34 years. The mean age of the first marriage was 20.6 years, with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 28. The great majority, 259 women (86.3%), were living permanently in Hargeisa; 275 (91.7%) were married; 182 (60.7%) had primary or secondary education; 171 (57%) were merchants and employed; and 179 of their spouses (65.7%) were employed. Two hundred and thirty-two women (77.3%) had access to and usage of media. The mean monthly income as reported by the respondents was 513 US dollars, of which 134 women (44.7%) had an income range of 150–300 (Table 1).

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Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, Hargeisa, Somaliland, September 2022.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302168.t001

Obstetric characteristics of the respondents

Only 37.3% of the respondents (112 women) had ever heard the term BPCR, mainly from health professionals and the media (89.3%). Two hundred and forty-eight women (82.7%) had at least one ANC visit in their lifetime. Thirty-nine women (13%) among all respondents reported they had a history of stillbirth, while 91 (30.3%) had abortions. The women had a mean of 3.4 pregnancies and 3.06 deliveries. More than half, 151 women (53.7%), reported that they had independent decision-making power regarding obstetrics service utilization. The majority of the women, 181 (60.3%), gave their last birth at health institutions (Table 2).

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Table 2. Obstetric characteristics of respondents, Hargeisa, September 2022.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302168.t002

Of the 248 women who had at least one ANC visit in their lifetime, the majority, 191 (77%), had an ANC visit during their last pregnancy. From these 248 women, only 97 women (39.1%) reported they received advice and health education regarding BPCR during their ANC visits, and 36 (14.5%) reported they were accompanied by their spouses. Among the 191 women who had their ANC visits during their last pregnancy, 76 women (39.8%) had their first visit during the second trimester, while the remaining 63 (33%) and 52 (27.2%) had them during the first and third trimesters, respectively (Table 3).

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Table 3. ANC-related characteristics, Hargeisa, September 2022.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302168.t003

Knowledge of key obstetric danger signs

The women mentioned as many key danger signs of pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal periods as possible. Vaginal bleeding was the top-listed key danger sign of pregnancy, mentioned by 77.7% of the women. It was similarly mentioned as the top key danger sign of childbirth and postnatal periods by 66.3% and 65.3%, respectively. Accordingly, 106 women (35.3%), 84 (28%), and 118 (39.3%) had good knowledge of key danger signs of pregnancy, labor and childbirth, and the postnatal period, respectively (Table 4).

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Table 4. Knowledge level and key obstetrics danger signs mentioned by the respondents, Hargeisa, Somaliland, September 2022.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302168.t004

Knowledge and practice of BPCR

Regarding knowledge of BPCR, 115 of the respondents (38.3%) had a good knowledge of BPCR (mentioned at least 3 of the 5 components). On the other hand, only 75 women (25%) were prepared for birth and its potential complications (Fig 1).

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Fig 1. Status of BPCR of respondents, Hargeisa, Somaliland, September 2022.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302168.g001

Respondents who mentioned “saving money” accounted for 210 (70%). One hundred and sixty-one women (53.7%) mentioned “identifying place of delivery,” whereas the other 120 (40%) and 99 (33%) mentioned “identifying transportation” and “identifying skilled providers,” respectively. “Preparing blood donors” was mentioned only by 91 women (30.3%).

Regarding BPCR practice, 254 women (85%) prepared essential items for clean delivery and the post-partum period; 203 women (67.7%) saved money; 136 (45.3%) identified the place of delivery; 83 (27.7%) identified a skilled provider; 76 (25.3%) identified transportation; and the rest, 31 (10.3%), identified blood donors (Table 5).

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Table 5. Knowledge and practice of BPCR, Hargeisa, Somaliland, September 2022.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302168.t005

Factors associated with BPCR

Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done using logistic regression to analyze factors associated with BPCR and rule out possible confounders. On bivariate analysis, access to media, hearing about BCPR, attending ANC, health education regarding BPCR during ANC, place of delivery, and knowledge of key obstetric danger signs of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum were associated with BPCR.

But, on multivariate analysis, access to media, health education regarding BPCR during ANC, place of delivery, and knowledge of key obstetric danger signs of pregnancy were associated with BPCR (Table 6).

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Table 6. Bivariate and multivariate analysis showing factors associated with BPCR, Hargeisa town, Somaliland, September 2022.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302168.t006

Women who had access to and usage of media (AOR = 9.46, 95% CI 1.09–82.24, P = 0.042) were nine times more likely to get prepared for birth and its complications compared to those who did not have. Women who received health education regarding BPCR during ANC visits (AOR = 3.75, 95% CI 1.01–13.87, P = 0.047) were 3.7 times more likely to get prepared for birth and its complications compared to those who did not receive it. And women who gave their last birth at health institutions (AOR = 6.02, 95% CI 1.39–25.9, P = 0.016) were six times more likely to get prepared for birth and its complications compared to those who gave birth at home. Women who did not have good knowledge of obstetric danger signs of pregnancy (AOR = 0.017, 95% CI 0.004–0.069, P<0.0001) were less likely to get prepared for birth and its complications compared to those who had good knowledge.

Discussion

Birth preparedness and complication readiness is one of essential elements of antenatal care, whose goal is to decrease any unnecessary delays in seeking and receiving care. It helps pursue emergency obstetrics care and hence improve maternal and fetal outcomes [1]. It is a simple and forward-looking strategy aimed at the early and timely handling of obstetric complications if they arise. No study was done in Hargeisa, Somaliland, regarding BPCR. Thus, the current community-based study focused on determining the level of BPCR practice among recently delivered women and associated factors.

The current study identified that only 37.3% of the respondents had ever heard the term BPCR. This percentage was lower compared to other facility-based studies conducted in Cameroon, in which 46.1% heard the term [15], in Chiro, 89.4% [16], and in Dilchora Hospital, Dire Dawa, 74.7% [17]. This might be due to the fact that the current study was a community-based study in contrast to the facility-based studies in which the study participants had better exposure to maternal health services, which might help them become acquainted with and absorb the term BPCR. On the other hand, in a similar community-based study done in Goba, Ethiopia, 46.4% of study participants heard the term BPCR [18]. The current study still fell behind. Awareness is the first step towards knowledge that may help people become conscious of beneficial information and hence produce desired behavior later.

Among respondents who had ever heard the term BPCR, the current study indicated that 50% of the respondents heard it mainly from health professionals and 39.3% from the media. Thus, health professionals and the media remained the major sources of awareness of BPCR. This is in line with studies done in Goba district [18], which revealed health professionals and the media were major sources of awareness. Similar reports in Ethiopia, Guraghe [8], Chiro [16], and Harari [19] indicated health professionals as the major source of information. In the present study, 14.5% of the study subjects who had ever had ANC reported being accompanied by their spouses. This was lower compared to the similar community-based study conducted in North Nigeria that showed 32.1% were accompanied [20]. Husbands’ involvement in obstetric care, such as during ANC and delivery care, might have paramount importance in creating better awareness, thereby providing the support needed for the early detection and management of complications.

Around one-third of all respondents (35.3%) had good knowledge of key danger signs of pregnancy, which was comparable to the report in Gurage Zone’s 34.9% knowledge level [8]. However, it was relatively higher compared to studies conducted in Kenya (21%) and Tanzania (17.8%) [21], and Addis Ababa (11.1%) [22]. It was lower than a study at Dire Dawa Dilchora Hospital (58.6%) [17]. Likewise, the current study revealed 28% and 39.3% had good knowledge of key danger signs of childbirth and postpartum periods, respectively, which were higher than the study in Addis Ababa [22], in which 14.2% and 10.9% had good knowledge of childbirth and postpartum periods, respectively. The discrepancies might be attributed to variations in the implementation of maternal health services. Sociodemographic factors and disparities in the study site and settings might as well contribute to the inequalities.

Our finding indicated that 38.3% of the women interviewed had good knowledge of BPCR (mentioned at least 3 of the 5 components), which was higher than findings in Addis Ababa (15.2%) [22] and Goba (14.6%) [18]. Though our study seemed to be relatively higher compared to others, it was not absolutely satisfactory, as proper knowledge is the basis for positive and helpful practice.

The exact quarter of the study participants (25%) were well prepared for birth and its potential complications, which was comparable with various community-based studies in Bangladesh at 24.5% [23], Goba at 29.9% [18], Adigrat at 22% [24], Wollo at 24.1% [25], a meta-analysis study in Ethiopia at 25.2% [26], and a facility-based study in Rwanda at 22.3% [27]. On the other side, our finding was comparatively higher than studies conducted in Dodoma, Tanzania, 16.7% [28], in Cameroon, 18.8% [15], in rural Bangladesh, 12.2% [29], in Kenya, 11.4%, and in Tanzania, 7.6% [21], and findings in Ethiopia, Arsi, 16.5% [30], and Wolaita, 18.3% [31]. In contrast, the current study was relatively lower than studies done in Chamwino, Tanzania, 58.2% [32], in India, 47.8% [9], and other studies in Ethiopia, such as in Dire Dawa, 54.7% [17], in Harari region, 52.1% [19], and in Gurage, 37% [8]. The disparities might be related to variations in study settings, sociodemographic features, and differences in strategies and applications of maternal health services in these several regions around the world. Low BPCR practice levels, such as in our study, call for well-organized and coordinated efforts, as it becomes more difficult to manage complications if they arise than to identify, recognize, and prevent them.

Concerning BPCR practice, 67.7% of the respondents saved money, which was one of the top-ranked and practiced components in our report, which was similar to studies in Bangladesh [23], and Chamwino Tanzania [32]. This was probably due to the fact that money can help women deal with obstetric uncertainties and buy items needed for birth and care of the newborn. However, as many as 85% of respondents in our study prepared essential items for clean delivery and post-partum period, such as foods, clean clothing, and other items. Such a high proportion of preparation of items for clean delivery and post-partum, including food, was also reported in findings in Dodoma, Tanzania, 62.9% [28], Goba, 87.6% [18], Gondar, 90.81% [3], and Gurage, 98.4% [8].

On the contrary, arranging potential blood donors was the least practiced BPCR element in our study, by only 10.3% of the participants. Such a low level was also reported in findings in Chamwino, Tanzania, at 17.5% [32] and in Wolaita at 3% [31]. It indicated that the respondents were more prepared for minor items such as clean clothing, foods, and other materials than crucial and basic obstetric preparations, such as arranging blood donors and identifying the place of delivery.

On the other hand, 45.3%, 27.7%, and 25.3% of our study participants identified places of delivery, skilled providers, and transportation, respectively, which were all lower than studies conducted in Chamwino, Tanzania [32], Delhi, India [33], Diredawa [17], and Harari region in Ethiopia [19]. That seemed to be the reason why the level of BPCR was so low in our study compared to most of the other studies we used for comparison.

Regarding factors associated with BPCR, women who had access to media and used it were more likely to get prepared for birth and its complications compared to those who did not. Similar result was also reported in Bangladesh [23]. The implication of the finding is that the media plays a great role, as it was reported as one of the major sources of awareness about BPCR. It might also raise the level of awareness about health matters, thus alerting the listeners.

And women who received health education regarding BPCR were more likely to get prepared compared to those who did not receive it. Likewise, several reports from Ethiopia in Gondar, Adigrat, and Wollo [3, 24, 25] supported this, as information and education are initial and crucial steps to bring about positive behavioral changes. Health professionals were regarded as trusted sources of health and health-related information and could help people make healthier choices.

Place of delivery was one of the predictors of BPCR in our findings. Thus, women who gave birth at health institutions were more likely to be prepared for birth and its complications. Other studies also reported the same finding, such as in Arsi [30], Chamwino Tanzania [32], and Kenya and Tanzania [21]. This could be described by the fact that women who gave birth at health facilities have a better opportunity to get health information on the importance of BPCR, providing them with better choices, empowerment, and decisions. Women could get emergency care as well if dangerous or life-threatening conditions occurred.

Knowledge of obstetric danger signs could help women be well-prepared and equipped for childbirth, boost helpful decision-making power, and promote healthy behavior. In our study, women who had good knowledge of the obstetric danger signs of pregnancy were more likely to get prepared compared to those who had poor knowledge. The same was reported in a number of studies in rural Bangladesh [29], Chamwino Tanzania [32], Harari region [19], Arsi [30], Goba [18], Wolaita [31], and Chiro [16].

Conclusion

Overall, the findings of this study provided valuable insights into the determinants of the practice of BPCR among recently delivered women in Hargeisa town. The prevalence of BPCR practice was low (25%) compared to many other study findings. The study also identified that a large proportion of the women did not have good knowledge of BPCR. A low BPCR level may have a negative impact on maternal lives and may hinder interventions conducted to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates. All concerned bodies should plan and implement various evidence-based strategies, such as awareness creation on BPCR and expanding maternal health service utilization in their core interventions. Training the midwives on the importance of educating mothers about BPCR and empowering women should be considered as well.

Supporting information

Acknowledgments

We are extremely grateful to Addis Ababa Medical University College (AAMUC) Hargeisa campus management and the whole staff. Our sincere gratitude also goes to supervisors, data collectors, all the research teams, and mothers who were involved in the study.