Perceived Roles of Spouse Involvement and Maternal Gravidity in Enhancing Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness in Selected Communities of Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) involves proactive planning for childbirth, including transportation, skilled attendance, financial savings, and identifying blood donors. In low-resource settings like Nigeria, husbands’ involvement is essential as they often influence healthcare decisions. Additionally, maternal gravidity affects preparedness; multigravida women are generally more experienced, while primigravidae may be less informed. Understanding the combined effects of spousal involvement and gravidity is critical for improving maternal outcomes.

Objective: To assess pregnant women's perceptions of spouse's involvement and the influence of gravidity on BPCR in Ijanikin and Oto-Awori communities, Lagos State, Nigeria

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted. Using multi-stage sampling, 216 pregnant women were recruited. Data were collected using a validated self-structured questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha = 0.891 for demographics and 0.794 for BPCR-related items) and analysed using SPSS v21. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were applied at a 0.05 significance level.

Results: Among respondents, 65.3% reported spousal support for skilled delivery; 69.9% indicated no financial planning by husbands. While 62.0% stated their husbands recognised danger signs, 64.8% had transport plans. Most participants (63.9%) were multigravida and demonstrated better BPCR awareness. A significant positive correlation existed between spouse involvement and BPCR (r = .153, p = .025), and a negative correlation between low gravidity and BPCR (r = -.148, p = .030).

Conclusion: Spousal involvement and maternal gravidity significantly affect BPCR. Strengthening male participation and enhancing education for primigravida women may improve maternal health outcomes in similar low-resource contexts.