Husbands’ Knowledge of Obstetric Danger Signs, and Level of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness and Associated Factors in Wara Jarso, North Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2019

Background : Most women have uneventful pregnancies and childbirth. Birth preparedness and complication readiness prevents these problems. Globally, 830 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Ethiopia is one of developing country with 412 maternal mortality rate. However different intervention was made still mothers preparation for birth is low while the husbands are decision makers and control resources. The aim of the study was to assess husbands’ knowledge of obstetric danger signs, level of birth preparedness and complication readiness and associated factors in Wara Jarso, Ethiopia. Methods : Community based cross sectional study was conducted in Wara Jarso from April 8 to 28 2019. The study participants were interviewed using simple random sampling and data were coded, cleaned and entered to Epidata version 3.1, exported to SPSS 23. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify association of independent variables with husbands’ level of birth preparedness and complication readiness at p<0.05, 95%CI. The results were presented using descriptive, tables and diagrams. Result: The data were collected from 593 participants, and 574 were completed the interview giving the response rate of 96.8%. The mean age of respondents was 36.5±7.8 years. Knowledge of obstetric danger signs of the respondents was 32.06% while level of birth preparedness and complication readiness was 22.30%. 4.478), p=.018), living in urban (AOR = 5.550 (95%CI 2.211, 13.933), p=.001) escorting their wives to health institution (AOR = 2.217(95%CI 1.095, 4.487), p=.027) accept buying material and clothes for baby before delivery (AOR = 3.599 (95%CI 1.995, 6.490), p=.001) and knowledgeable about obstetric danger sign (AOR = 4.957 (95%CI 2.726, 9.016), p=.001) were variables associated with husbands’ birth preparedness and complication readiness. Conclusion and recommendation : The husbands’ knowledge of obstetric dangers signs and their level of preparation was low. Occupation, residence, escort wife, accepting buying materials and knowledge were variables associated with preparation. Therefore, district health office, policy makers, planners, and HEW have to work on awareness creation about obstetric danger signs and how to increase level of preparation among husbands.