Comparative assessment of birth preparedness and complication readiness among couples in rural and urban communities of Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria.

Objectives: To assess and compare the level of Birth Preparedness and Complications Readiness (BPCR) and determine the predicting effect of socio-demographic factors on it among couples in rural and urban communities of Ekiti State.

Design: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study.

Setting: The study was conducted in twelve rural and twelve urban communities in Ekiti State.

Participants: Couples from rural and urban communities. Female partners were women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) who gave birth within twelve months before the survey.

Main Outcome Measures: Proportion of couples that were well prepared for birth and obstetric emergencies, and its socio-demographic determinants.

Results: The proportion of couples that were well prepared for birth and its complications was significantly higher in urban (60.5%) than rural (48.4%) communities. The study also revealed that living above poverty line (95% CI=1.01-3.79), parity and spousal age difference less than five years (95% CI=1.09 - 2.40) were positive predictors of BPCR among respondents.

Conclusions: Urban residents were better prepared than their rural counterparts. Living above poverty line, parity, and spousal age difference less than five years were positive predictors of BPCR. There is a need to emphasize on educating couples on the importance of identifying blood donors as a vital component of BPCR.

Funding: None declared.