Nurses’ Role in Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Women in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar

Abstract

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) promotes timely information and utilization of skilled health attendance/services to pregnant women to prevent complications due to 3 delays that lead to maternal deaths. Objective: To determine nurses’ role in birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Calabar. Methods: This study adopted a survey research design. Simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 80 participants working in antenatal clinic, antenatal ward, gynecological ward, labour ward, postnatal ward, and Family planning unit. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage and Pearson Moment Product Correlation Coefficient statistical methods of data analysis. Results: Findings of the study revealed that 53 (66.3%) of the respondents acknowledged nurse/midwives responsibility for the health education of mothers on dangers of pregnancy while 42 (52.5%) strongly agreed that nurses/midwives carry out discussion on plan for delivery with mothers. The study hypothesized that there is no significant relationship between the role of nurse/midwives and the practice of BPCR among pregnant women. The correlational analysis result that there is no revealed (r-cal = 0.67, r-crit = 0.58, df = 79, P > 0.05) thus rejecting the hypothesis statement as r-calculated was greater than r-critical. This implies that the role of nurse/midwives have very strong positive relationship with the practice of BPCR among pregnant women. Conclusion: Positive pregnancy outcome depends on nurse/midwives independent and interdependent roles to prevent delays, emergencies, have access to skilled care.