Awareness, practice, and challenges of birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women attending clinic at a Nigerian State Teaching Hospital: A cross-sectional study

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is a key strategy for reducing maternal mortality in low-resource settings.
Objective: To assess awareness, practice, and challenges of BPCR among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 pregnant women using a validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: Awareness of BPCR was high (mean=3.20±0.96), and practice was also relatively high (mean=3.06±1.12). However, major challenges included high cost of attending ANC to learn more about BPCR (mean=4.41), long waiting time at clinic discourages mothers from attending antenatal to learn more about birth preparedness and complication readiness  (mean=4.19), and poor communication. Significant associations were found between awareness and practice (χ²=21.2, p < 0.05) and between education and practice (χ²=11.5, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Despite high awareness, systemic barriers hinder optimal BPCR practice. Strengthening healthcare systems and targeted education is essential.