Abstract

This research investigates awareness of the danger signs of obstetric complications. Pregnancy as a normal process that results in a series of both physiological and psychological changes in pregnant women. However, normal pregnancy may be followed by some problems and complications which are potentially life threatening to the mother and/or the fetus. The study aims to assess level of knowledge of obstetric danger signs and associated factors among pregnant women attending Antenatal care (ANC) in ten districts at ten Health Centers (HCs) and Bedele Hospital in Ilu Ababor Zone, Oromia Regional state, South-west Ethiopia. Here, institutional based cross sectional descriptive study was used. A stratified multistage sampling procedure was employed. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was estimated to identify the predictors of knowledge level. The study thus revealed that mothers between the age of 30 to 34 and above 35 yrs were 1.52 and 1.42 more likely to be knowledgeable during pregnancy than those below the age of 30 years (AOR= 1.52 and 95 %CI = 1.28 to 1.99) and (AOR = 1.42 and 95% CI = 1.20 to 1.86) respectively. Mothers with higher education were 1.46 times and 1.24 times more likely to know obstetric danger signs during pregnancy and child birth than those with no formal education (AOR = 1.46 and 95% CI = 1.24 to 1.91) respectively. Mothers who previously gave birth in health institutions were about 3.48 times more likely to be knowledgeable about the danger signs of childbirth and period after delivery as compared to those who gave birth at home (AOR = 3.48 and 95%CI: 3.26 to 3.94 ), (AOR =2.43 and 95%CI: 2.23 to 2.83) respectively. Finally, age, high level of education, place of last delivery and discussion with husband about ANC service and level of satisfaction with the service were the predictors of knowledge of the mothers about obstetric danger signs in pregnancy, labor and post-partum period. Thus, provision of information, education and communication targeting women, family and the general community on danger signs of pregnancy and childbirth and associated factors was recommended.

Key words: Knowledge, determinate, danger signs, pregnancy, delivery and post-partum