A Study on Some Aspects of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Women in Meerut City of Uttar Pradesh
Aliya Anwar Thakur, Mohd. Faisal Khan, P. S. RaychaudhuriAbstract
Background:
Maternal Mortality is a major global public health concern, particularly in low-resource settings. In every pregnancy, the woman faces the risk of some unpredictable complications that could end in the death or injury of the pregnant woman or the baby. Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is a strategy that encourages pregnant women, their families, and their communities to effectively plan for childbirth and manage emergencies if they occur.
Objective:
The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practices of BPCR among pregnant women in the urban slum areas of Meerut city, Uttar Pradesh.
Methodology:
A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 pregnant women residing in the urban slum areas of Meerut city, Uttar Pradesh. The study was conducted between October 2025 and January 2026 in the selected urban slum areas. A nonprobability sampling technique was used. The selected urban slums were visited, and the volunteering pregnant women were identified and interviewed using a detailed questionnaire.
Results:
The mean age of the respondents was 27.7 years (standard deviation [SD] =3.96). The overall BPCR score was low (mean = 2.53, SD = 0.36), with only 16% women scoring at or above the neutral midpoint (3.0). Knowledge and awareness of BPCR were uniformly low (mean = 0.2). Barriers to government healthcare facilities scored highest (mean = 3.62), indicating widespread perceived obstacles. The attendance of antenatal checkups (ANCs), institutional deliveries was poor. Preference was given to home deliveries by traditional and experienced home birth attendants (local Dai’s) in the local community.
Conclusion:
The findings reveal that there are substantial gaps in BPCR knowledge, awareness, and practices within this vulnerable population. Although some of the women expressed a preference for institutional deliveries and antenatal care utilization, overall, the preparedness indicators remained suboptimal. This reflects the persistent inequities in maternal health knowledge within the urban slum population, despite the national maternal health programs under the National Health Mission. Targeted community-based interventions, improved healthcare access, and maternal health education campaigns are urgently warranted.