An assessment of pregnancy complication-readiness at two secondary school health facilities in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Data suggests more pregnancy complications occur at secondary than at tertiary health facilities in Nigeria. This study assessed women's and facility complication readiness at two secondary health facilities in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross sectional study. Purposive sampling was used to select participating health facilities. Study data included women's responses from interviewer-administered questionnaire and facility information obtained from an obstetrician. Descriptive frequencies were used to present research findings. Comparison of dichotomous data was mad e with chi-squared test with level of significance of p <0.05 Results: Five hundred and twenty four (524) women participated in the study. Most women (72%) would consult a physician immediately after a complication and had identified a relative to accompany them to the hospital in emergency (90.7%). Many (63%) women knew at least a danger sign and 89% had identified a blood donor. Overall, 50.4% women were complication-read y and this was only influenced by age (p = 0.045). The health facilities had high institutional capacity to provide maternity services but lacked intensive care units, ambulance and invasive hemodynamic monitoring techniques. Conclusion: Half of the women were complication ready and the institutions' readiness was hindered by lack of critical emergency services.