Birth preparedness and complication readiness among slum women in Indore city,India

Three hundred twelve mothers of infants aged 2-4 months in 11 slums of indore,india,were interviewed to assess birth preparedness and complication readiness (bpacr) among them. the mothers were asked whether they followed the desired four steps while pregnant: identified a trained birth attendant,identified a health facility,arranged for transport,and saved money for emergency. taking at least three steps was considered being well-prepared. taking two or less steps was considered being less-prepared. one hundred forty-nine mothers (47.8%) were well-prepared. factors associated with well-preparedness were assessed using adjusted multivariate models. factors associated with well-preparedness were maternal literacy [odds ratio (or)=1.9,(95%) confidence interval (ci) 1.1-3.4] and availing of antenatal services (or=1.7,ci 1.05-2.8). deliveries in the slum-home were high (56.4%). among these,skilled attendance was low (7.4%); 77.3% of them were assisted by traditional birth attendants. skilled attendance during delivery was three times higher in well-prepared mothers compared to less-prepared mothers (or: 3.0,ci 1.6-5.4) antenatal outreach sessions can be used for promoting bpacr. it will be important to increase the competency of slum-based traditional birth attendants,along with promoting institutional deliveries. © international centre for diarrhoeal disease research,bangladesh.