Abstract:

Background: Maternal mortality still remains a major challenge in developing countries in which Tanzania is among of them. In Sub-Saharan Africa, one out of every sixteen women dies of pregnancy-related causes among this causes is failure of pregnant women to adhere to the components of birth preparedness and complications readiness. So, this is a study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness.

Methodology: This a descriptive cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness among antenatal care attendees in Tabora Urban health facilities. A systematic sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The data used for this study were collected from pregnant women attending antenatal care in town clinic and Ng’ambo dispensary, Tabora urban by using a structured pretested Kiswahili language, interviewer-administered questionnaire.

Results: Most of the respondent’s age ranged from 21 – 35 with frequency of 252 (66.7%) women. The proportion of respondents who have been prepared for birth and for its possible complication was 159 (42.0%). A higher proportion is seen among those with parity < 3 about 126 of respondents and those in third trimester of gestational age about 88 of respondents were better prepared for birth and its possible complications (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Few pregnant women had made adequate arrangements in anticipation for a safe normal delivery.