Knowledge on birth preparedness among teenage mothers at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Wakiso District. A descriptive cross-sectional study.
Keywords:
Knowledge, Birth preparedness, Teenage mothers, Entebbe Regional Referral HospitalAbstract
Background: The purpose of this study is to assess knowledge on birth preparedness among teenage mothers at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Wakiso District.
Methodology: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design with quantitative methods of data collection. A convenient sampling technique was used to select 32 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, checked for completeness, and entered into Microsoft Excel 22 for cleaning and analysis. Results were presented in tables and graphs.
Results: The majority of the respondents, 22(68.7%), were 19 years old. 27(84.4%) of the participants completed primary education; 21(65.6%) were not married; 26(81.2%) were Christians and 18(56.2%) were living with parents. 90.6% of the participants were giving birth for the first time. Respondents acquired information from family members and friends (62.5%), media (21.9%) and health workers (15.6%). Participants knew birth preparedness to be a sign of responsibility (75%) and that it could reduce delays at the time of birth (18.8). 6.2% of the participants didn’t know its importance. Participants identified components of birth preparedness to be saving money for transport (100%), buying delivery items (71.9%).
Conclusion: Teenage mothers had inadequate knowledge about the importance of birth preparedness and the need to buy the baby’s clothes. They were aware of the need to save money for transport and delivery.
Recommendations: Entebbe regional referral hospital should arrange an independent antenatal care unit for teenage mothers to teach them about components of birth preparedness, like its importance and buying baby clothes. Health workers should conduct in-depth explanations about birth preparedness, its components and counselling about existing myths about birth preparedness.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sandra Mary Atimango, Barbara Akankunda, Jane Frances Namuddu, Donastus Kimera (Author)
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