Nurses’ Role in Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Women in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) promotes timely information and utilization of skilled health attendance/services to pregnant women to prevent complications due to 3 delays that lead to maternal deaths. Objective: To determine nurses’ role in birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Calabar. Methods: This study adopted a survey research design. Simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 80 participants working in antenatal clinic, antenatal ward, gynecological ward, labour ward, postnatal ward, and Family planning unit. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage and Pearson Moment Product Correlation Coefficient statistical methods of data analysis. Results: Findings of the study revealed that 53 (66.3%) of the respondents acknowledged nurse/midwives responsibility for the health education of mothers on dangers of pregnancy while 42 (52.5%) strongly agreed that nurses/midwives carry out discussion on plan for delivery with mothers. The study hypothesized that there is no significant relationship between the role of nurse/midwives and the practice of BPCR among pregnant women. The correlational analysis result that there is no revealed (r-cal = 0.67, r-crit = 0.58, df = 79, P > 0.05) thus rejecting the hypothesis statement as r-calculated was greater than r-critical. This implies that the role of nurse/midwives have very strong positive relationship with the practice of BPCR among pregnant women. Conclusion: Positive pregnancy outcome depends on nurse/midwives independent and interdependent roles to prevent delays, emergencies, have access to skilled care. How to cite this paper: Mgbekem, M.A., Nsemo, A.D., Daufa, C.F., Ojong, I.N., Nwakwue, N. and Andrew-Bassey, P. (2020) Nurses’ Role in Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Women in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. Health, 12, 71-85. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.2020.122006 Received: September 26, 2019 Accepted: January 18, 2020 Published: January 21, 2020 Copyright © 2020 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


Background to the Study
High maternal mortality is a serious public health challenge especially in developing countries. Most maternal deaths are avoidable, yet occur during labour, delivery and within 24 hours postpartum. The World Health Organization (WHO) [1], reports estimated maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in developing countries at 239 per 100,000 live births and 12 per 100,000 live births in developed countries. The Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) report for Nigeria in 2013 [2] shows that Nigeria has a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 545 deaths/100,000 live births; estimated to be 13% of the global maternal deaths [3] with an increase MMR in 2015 with an estimated 814 per 100,000 live births [4]. This unhealthy ranking resulted in the emphasized on the Integrated Maternal Newborn and Child Health (IMNCH) strategy by Nigeria's federal ministry of health to revitalize primary health care key maternal and child health interventions. Despite government efforts in the aforementioned, maternal mortality is still a common problem in Nigeria. Most maternal deaths are preventable as they are related to direct obstetrical complications such as hemorrhage, post-partum infection, obstructed labour and hypertensive disorders-all of which are treatable. Apart from medical causes, there are numerous interrelated socio-cultural factors which delay care seeking and contribute to maternal death.
Maternal morbidity and mortality could be prevented if women and families recognize obstetric danger signs and promptly seek health care. Thus the need to mobilize when danger signs are recognized is apparent.
Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is one of the components of focused Antenatal care (FANC) and is a key strategy in safe motherhood programme whose aim is to reduce delays in seeking, reaching and receiving care [5]. BPCR promotes timely utilization of skilled maternal and neonatal care [6] [7] [8]. It is care that addresses the pregnant woman, family, community, health facility, health service provider, and policy makers, to plan births and effectively deal with emergency complication by utilizing the existing health care delivery system to reduce maternal mortality ratio (MMR); a quality indicator of obstetric care. MMR is defined as maternal deaths per 100,000 live births over a given period. It varies from approximately 10 in developed countries to 1000 in least developed countries [9]. Maternal mortality according to Acharya, Kaur, Prasuna, & Rasheed [10] is the most significant outcome of poor maternal health.
Many women in developing countries experience life-threatening and other serious health issues related to pregnancy and childbirth. Among the issues is inadequate or lack of birth and emergency preparedness, a key component of globally acceptable safe motherhood programs [11] [12]. Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) according to Miltenburg, Roggeveen, Shields et al. [13], is a process of planning for birth and anticipating action to take in case of obstetric complications. Wurapa, Abidey, Ankomah and Ayaga [14], opined that the role of nurse/midwives in BPCR is to improve the use and effectiveness of key maternal and neonatal services through reducing delays in deciding to seek care. It motivates people to plan to have a skilled provider at every birth.
Decisions are made and documented on choice of birth, the preferred skilled birth attendant, items required for birth, birth comparisons, getting a compatible blood donor if necessary and arranging in advance for transport. Barimani,& Hylander [15] posit that BPCR promotes preventive behaviours, improves knowledge of mothers about danger-signs and leads to improved health-seeking behaviour during obstetric emergency. The concept of birth preparedness thus, encourages the planning for normal pregnancies, deliveries, and postnatal periods and to prepare to deal effectively with emergencies if they occur to overcome delays (in seeking, reaching and receiving health care) leading to most maternal deaths.
At the basic level, the concept of BPCR includes identifying a trained medical facility capable of providing emergency services, arranging for transport for delivery or obstetric emergency, saving money for delivery and identifying a compatible blood donor. All these factors are categorized under the following: institutional, Community, Socio-demographic and Maternal [16] [17] [18] [19]. Odetola [20], asserts that access to information about maternal services with emphasis on the factors relating to BPCR in the community will help women make choices about who to see, where to go, and type of care they require.
Women understanding and preparation in handling unforeseen events that may arise during pregnancy and delivery are determine by nurse/midwives knowledge of BPCR. Abiyot, Kassa, Buruh and kidanu [21], Ekabua [22] report that about 80% of maternal deaths especially in developing countries are as a result of obstetric complication such as haemorrhage, infection, obstructed labour, unsafe abortion and high blood pressure, factors known as danger signs associated with maternal death that can be prevented with appropriate information given during ANC. Morhason-Bello, Fagbamigbe, Mumilni, Adesina et al. [23], state that early recognition of danger signs is an important indicator to seek care from health- Avoidable delays are said to be in phases [24] [25], These are:  Phase I-delay in deciding to seek care by individual and /or family.
 Phase II-delay in reaching an adequate health care facility.
 Phase III-delay in receiving adequate care at the health facility.
Phase I delay-delay in deciding to seek care This delay is associated with mothers and or family's decisions to seek care. When proper and adequate informed about the nature o are provided at ANC, the first delay can be prevented.
Phase II delay-delay in reaching an adequate health care facility This occurs due to bad road conditions, lack of transportation and unavailability or access to vehicles thereby resulting in long waiting time (Hours or days) to reach a care facility. Women with life-threatening conditions often may not make it to the facility in time [5].
Phase III delay-Inadequacies within the health care system Pacagnella et al. [26] say inadequacies within the health care system (lack of skilled personnel or infrastructural inadequacies, late or wrong diagnosis, incorrect action by the staff and untimely provision of needed care) has be found to harm to women. Nurse/midwives' knowledge of these delays and collaboration is key to BPCR [27] [28] [29]. Nurses and midwives are the largest workforce in the healthcare system, inadequate care by this workforce will not only affect the patient, it adversely affects the entire society they care for. It is also observed that nurse/midwives attitudes are often influenced by culture, religion, personal experience and professional background. These factors in turn influence care. However, the nurse/ midwife-relationship should be such that ensures that the birth experience is fulfilling and gratifying. This type of relationship will improve uptake of ANC attendance and reduce poor utilization of quality health services that contribute to maternal mortality rate [28]. The antenatal care visits offer the nurse opportunity to partner with pregnant women, their family and communities to tackle, in a timely manner, obstetric complications that lead to death. The role of the nurse in BPCR is thus critical in providing the best possible reproductive health care information and education during these visits before clinical consultations to raise awareness on expectations of pregnancy and it outcomes including danger signs of pregnancy. The expectation is that the information could act as a catalyst to seek care and possibly avert serious adverse pregnancy outcomes and fatalities. Educating pregnant women during antenatal visits thus bring significant improvement in their birth preparedness practices enabling them make informed choices about pregnancy and birth [29]. To explain the importance of information needed, the perspective of Newman's Health as Expanding Consciousness was adopted to increase nurses' understanding as caregivers and promote intervention strategies that impact the care giving experience. This study therefore aimed at determining the role of nurses in BPCR among pregnant women attending antenatal care in University of Calabar Teaching Hos-pital, Calabar hypothesized that there is no significant relationship between the role of nurses and the practice of BPCR among pregnant women in UCTH Calabar.

Theoretical Framework
The theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness (HEC) by Margaret Newman [30] was adopted for this study. Margaret Newman's theory of health as expanding consciousness describes a process of becoming more of oneself; finding greater meaning in life and reaching new dimensions of connectedness with other people and the world [31]. HEC supports the Nurse-patient relationship experience through caring partnership. Through dialogue and the intentional presence of the nurse, patient pattern appraisal occurs, meaning is uncovered, and new insights are gained that promote opportunities for choices and change.
When actions are initiated to foster change, there is movement and growth, increased awareness for the nurse and patient, and discovery and personal transformation. HEC promotes the integration of nursing knowledge across theory, research, and practice that fosters the evolving of new knowledge by nurses to improve the lives of people globally.

Application of HEC to the Study
The HEC is a theory that assists people to recognize the power that is within them to move to higher levels of consciousness. The theory synthesizes the assumptions as shown below to the study.

Health
Pregnancy is not an illness or disease; it should be seen as a state of wellness. Margaret Newman's theory of health as expanding consciousness states an individual is a unified whole in constant interaction with the environment. In the context of this study, it recognizes that preparation for childbirth is holistic and goes beyond the physiological readiness of the mother, to encompass psychological, intellectual, social and financial preparedness. The nurse holistically evaluates the client's readiness for delivery and facilitates behavior that promotes health, wellness and self-care through health education. Based on this theory, preparing for childbirth and being ready for complication reduces delays in obtaining care and thereby impacting positively on birth outcomes [33] [34].

Pattern
Pattern recognition and health professional awareness of the pattern of others through therapeutic relationship brings about improved interventions. According to Owino, Legault, Mumbo, Odera & Ayugi [35] the success of the ante-natal process to a safe delivery, is a meaningful nurse-client interaction for childbirth.
BPCR program is effective in raising women's obstetric knowledge, which is significantly associated with physical, emotional, psychological preparation and facility delivery. The willingness of an ante natal mother to attend ANC clinic early and regularly opens the way for dialogue, enabling exchange of information between nurse and client on key danger signs indicators in pregnancy, financial readiness for eventualities, timely referral for essential obstetric care and preparation for baby's arrival. Through dialogue, women discover choice points; achieve insight and progress through turning points to transformations (saving money, identifying an emergency care facility, planning a means of transportation) and involvement of the community for care a/assistance [36]. Owino, [37] [38] asserts that a woman not emotionally ready, finds difficulty in coping with pregnancy changes resulting in anxiety and fear during pregnancy. As the nurse dialogues and shares impressions and feelings with the pregnant women, pattern recognition occurs (a burst of insight when everything fits together and the client can see clearly and understand better), which then opens the way for transformation. Through pattern recognition, planning for birth is stronger; clients and their families are more likely to be ready for birth and its complications.

Expanding consciousness
Pattern recognition brings about heightened understanding, and the pathways for action. Nurses thus must assess and reassess clients throughout the antenatal process to the exit phase to ensure a woman's readiness for birthing. It ensures pregnant women responses to determine effectiveness of information for BPCR, or checks the need to rearrange priorities to meet the changing demands of care.

Methods
A, survey research design was adopted for this study. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 80 participants from a target population of 100.midwives/nurses working in the following units: Antenatal clinic, Antenatal ward, Gynecological ward, ward, Labour ward, Post-natal ward, and Family planning unit) in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). The selection was based on the proportion of the subgroups in each unit. A self-administered structured questionnaire using likert type structured questions was used for data collection. The questionnaire was constructed along the lines of the objectives (content validity) and given to experts in obstetrics and gynecology for further assessment and suggestions to improve the items on the instrument.
The instrument reliability was ensured by a test retest administration of the instrument to ten (10) nurses from General Hospital Calabar and re-administration after one week, to assess its consistency. Test retest data were analyzed using Pearson moment correlation coefficient statistics with a result of 0.7 Cronbach.

Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Calabar Research Ethics
Committee. Written consent was also obtained from participants after explain-

M. A. Mgbekem et al. Health
ing the aim of the study to the potential study participants. Participants were assured of confidentiality of their information and were informed that they had the right to withdraw from the exercise if they so wish at any time of the study.
Data was collected through face-to-face administration of questionnaire from participants working in antenatal clinic, antenatal, labour, gynaecological, post-natal wards and family planning clinic. The data collected was analyzed using inferential and non-inferential statistical methods of data analysis.

Results
The demographic data in Table 1 showed that out of the 80 respondents, 49   Collaboration with other health professionals during birth related emergencies is essential to improve health outcomes of pregnancy.
Conversely, there is no study on the role of nurses on BPCR. This study was therefore carried out to determine the role of nurses on BPCR. Findings from the study reveal that nurses/midwives are responsible for the health education of pregnant women. This finding agrees with da Gama et al. [39] [36]. The use of HEC ( Figure 1) should assists nurses and women to recognize the power that is within them to move to higher levels of consciousness based on the health, pattern and expanding consciousness assumptions in a process of becoming more of oneself; finding greater meaning in life and reaching new dimensions of connectedness with other people and the world [31]. This assertion is noted in 63.7% response rate of the participants in Table 2 that collaboration is essential for achievement of BPCR. Nurse-patient relationship experience through caring partnership can easily be achieved with the use of this theory. Birth preparedness, an independent role of the nurse/midwife during prenatal periods requires clear documentation in client ANC folder for easy identification of birthing plans and those to be contacted in emergencies. This approach helps to reduce the delays, safe life and birth experience satisfaction [37]). One of the roles of the midwives is collaboration with other health professionals [34]. The collaborative care approach by nurse/midwives was stated by the participant (63.7%) response rate and supported by Aquino, Olander, Needle & Bryar, [26] systematic review on midwives' and health visitors' collaborative relationships across care service continuum and da Gama and colleagues (2016) identification of potential benefit of collaborative work between physicians and nurses/midwives in labour and birth care. Midwives education of mothers continue to postnatal period on family planning and care of the baby. This study identified this independent role provided for women during postnatal period in agreement with Dol, et al. [34] on exploring maternal postnatal newborn care and postnatal discharge education and Bagheri et al. [14] five concepts for continuous midwifery-led care in an environment that meet women's individual needs and concerns [17]. In the community setting, the midwife is expected to play a leadership role of coordinating the care of the pregnant woman till delivery thus ensuring support  [35] advocacy role. This role will only be achieved when pregnant women register for care early and not present themselves late in the 3 rd trimester or in labour.
Based on the study findings, hypothesis testing stating that there is no significant relationship between the role of nurses and the practice of BPCR was rejected as the r-calculated value (0.67) was greater than the r-critical value (0.58), with a degree of freedom of 79 at 0.05 level of significance showed a very strong positive relationship with the practice of BPCR as reported in Table 3.

Limitations
This study determined the roles of nurses in BPCR in a tertiary healthcare facility. The results of this research are not intended to be generalizable across time or with a more geographically diverse group of nurses. This is a study limitation, but the findings are an important reminder about the gaps in communication and role understanding that often exist between nurses and their clients.

Conclusion
The responsibility of the professional nurse/midwife is to establish a primary relationship with the client for the purpose of identifying meaningful patterns and facilitating the client's action potential and decision-making ability to achieve a successful management and outcome of pregnancy, labour and puerperium. The study concludes that positive pregnancy outcome depends on nurse/midwives roles in BPCR through health education of mothers on danger signs of pregnancy, plans for delivery, prevention of delays to seek skilled healthcare provider services, collaboration with other health professionals during birth related emergencies, provision of information on family planning services and teaching on baby care skills in the postnatal period.