Background: Knowledge of danger signs of obstetric complications during pregnancy, labour, and postnatal period\nis the first essential step for appropriate and timely referral. This study aimed to investigate predictors of knowledge\nabout obstetric danger signs during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum period among mothers of reproductive\nage women who gave birth in the last 12 months.\nMethods: A quantitative community based cross-sectional study was employed during March 2016. The study\nincluded 493 mothers who were selected by multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected by face-to-face\ninterview. Logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with knowledge of obstetric\ndanger signs. Variables with a p-value <0.05 were identified as statistically significant factors.\nResults: About forty-seven percent (46.7%), 27.8%, and 26.4% of the mothers were knowledgeable about obstetric\ndanger signs during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum period, respectively. Vaginal bleeding was the most\nfrequently cited danger sign during the three periods. Mothers� secondary or above education level increased odds\nof knowledge about danger signs during pregnancy (AOR: 3.63; 95% CI 1.19, 11.07) and postpartum period\n(AOR: 5.31; 95% CI 2.13, 13.22). Additionally, being employed (AOR: 5.41; 95% CI 1.03, 28.32), delivery at health institution\n(AOR: 2.14; 95% CI 1.17, 3.92) and number of ANC visits were statistically significant factors.\nConclusion: Knowledge of mothers about obstetric danger signs was low in the study area. Empowering women,\nimproving the quality of health information about danger signs during ANC follow up, and promoting institutional\ndelivery are the recommended interventions.
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