Effects of Goal-oriented Prenatal Education on Birth Preparedness, Complication Readiness and Institutional Delivery Among Semi-urban Pregnant Women in Nigeria: a Quasi-experimental Study

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth periods are critical in the lives of women, and Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) has been proven to be effective in reducing maternal mortality globally. However, high maternal mortality, in Nigeria, is associated with inadequate BPCR and non-institutional delivery. This study evaluated the effects of Goal-Oriented Prenatal Education (GOPE) on pregnant women's BPCR and institutional delivery. Methods: The study adopted a quasi-experimental two-group pre and post-test design. Four hundred pregnant women were randomly selected from two out of six semi-urban Local Government Areas of Ibadan and were randomized into the Intervention group and Control group. John Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics questionnaire was adapted for the data collection on knowledge and attitude of BPCR at baseline, two weeks, and six weeks post-intervention. The pregnant women in the intervention group received GOPE focusing on knowledge and attitude of BPCR. A checklist was used for assessment of BPCR practice at twelve weeks post-intervention. The place of birth was documented at delivery. Data were analyzed using, descriptive statistics, and the Mann-Whitney U test at α0.05. Results: Good knowledge of BPCR was found in 65.5% of pregnant women at baseline and 91.8% post-intervention. A positive attitude to BPCR was found in 22.5% of pregnant women at baseline and 54.7% post-intervention. Good BPCR practice was found in 95.3% and 73.1% of women in the intervention and control groups respectively. At delivery, 93.5% and 53.5% had institutional delivery in the intervention and control groups respectively. A significant difference (p<0.001) was observed in BPCR knowledge and attitude post-intervention, as well as in BPCR practice and institutional delivery between women in the intervention and control group. Conclusions: Goal-oriented prenatal education improved birth preparedness and complication readiness as well as institutional delivery among pregnant women. This should be integrated into routine prenatal education in Nigeria.