Birth preparedness for maternal health: findings from Koupela district, Burkina Faso

Birth-preparedness increases the use of skilled providers at birth

This paper assesses the impact of birth-preparedness and complication readiness on the use of skilled providers at birth, a key intervention to decrease maternal mortality. It is based on a study of a district-based service delivery system implemented in Koupéla district, Burkina Faso, that included a birth-preparedness and complication readiness approach. Birth-preparedness and complication readiness include many elements, including: knowledge of danger signs; plan for where to give birth; plan for a birth attendant; plan for transportation; and plan for saving money.

The paper finds that of 180 women who had recently given birth, 46 per cent of women had a plan for transportation, and 83 per cent had a plan to save money. Women with these plans were more likely to give birth with the assistance of a skilled provider. Qualitative interviews also find that most women save money for delivery, but have less concrete plans for transportation. The paper concludes that birth-preparedness and complication readiness may be useful in increasing the use of skilled providers at birth, especially for women with a plan for saving money during pregnancy.

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Birth preparedness for maternal health: findings from Koupela district, Burkina Faso