BACKGROUND : Maternal and child health (MCH), Despite Maternal morbidity and mortality in a declining trend, developing
countries are still burdened with high rates of Maternal morbidity and mortality. In most of the situation MMR could be
attributed to the "Three Delays" related to pregnancy, (1) Decision making, (2) Travel to health facility and (3) Adequate
care in obstetric emergency. These delays could be alleviated by Health promotion and participation of individuals,
families, and communities in Maternal and Child Health. Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) is one of
the interventions suggested by WHO for Health promotion. Tamil Nadu is one of the best states in maternal-child health
in India but the three delays are still a problem of concern. Assessing BP/CR would help in identifying the preparation level
of mothers and also address these three delays.
OBJECTIVES : To Assess the awareness of BP/CR among Primigravida mothers who completed 12 weeks of gestational age
attending Medavakkam Primary Health Centre and factors influencing it.
METHODS : It was a cross-sectional study done at Medavakkam PHC, which is the field practice area of Institute of
Community, Medicine Madras Medical College, during November 2020-November 2021, in the primigravida mothers
who had completed 12 weeks of gestational age. The sample size was calculated as 130. AN mothers attending OPD had
included in the study. A study tool is semi-structured questionnaire comprising demographic details and components of
birth preparedness & complication readiness. Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) Index, awareness of
maternal danger signs, level of birth preparedness was calculated.
RESULTS : 130 primi mothers were included in the study, mean distribution of age among participants were 23.2±2.6 years
and 11 (8.5%) were going to job, 86 (66.2%) were coming from nuclear families and 61 (46.9%) belonged to middle class,
and 77 (59.2%) were in 3rd trimester, 84 (64.6%) had completed 4 antenatal visits. BP/CR index was 57.8%, awareness of
maternal danger signs was 23%, the level of Birth preparedness was 50% in this study population. The primi mothers in
their 3rd trimester had higher awareness in maternal danger signs (36.4%) and high level of birth preparedness (64.9%),
those who had awareness about maternal danger sign were well prepared for delivery (birth) and the odds of birth
preparedness was 3.6 (1.5-9) times among them.
CONCLUSION : This study had shown that the awareness of maternal danger signs among primi gravida Antenatal mothers
was very poor and the birth preparedness level was average, suggesting BP/CR counselling and practices should be initiated
from the 1st visit of Antenatal period itself.