Preparedness and Preference towards Delivery among Antenatal Women in Selected Areas of Ludhiana, Punjab

This study was carried out to assess preparedness and preference towards delivery among antenatal women Maternal mortality is a substantial burden in developing countries. Both good and poor birth preparedness are associated with maternal mortality, maternal morbidity and obstetric complications. Thus, a comparative study was conducted to assess preparedness and preference towards delivery among antenatal women residing in selected rural and urban areas. A total number of 100 antenatal women, out of which 50 visiting antenatal clinic of DMC and Hospital, Ludhiana and 50women were residing in rural area Pohir were selected by using convenience sampling technique. Structured questionnaire and checklist were used to collect the data by using interview schedule regarding preparedness and preference towards delivery. Analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Maximum number of antenatal women preferred normal vaginal delivery to be conducted in hospital and preferably by the doctor in both areas and 74% of antenatal women in rural and 90% in urban had good preparedness towards delivery. The mean scores of preparedness towards delivery were significantly higher value was (32.10±4.37) in antenatal women from urban area as compared to antenatal women from rural area whose mean score was (28.94±5.12)(p<0.05). Hence, it shows that urban antenatal women had better preparedness towards delivery as compared to rural area antenatal women.