Childbirth self-efficacy among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health facilities in Arbaminch town, Southern Ethiopia 2023: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Childbirth self-efficacy is pregnant women's perception of their ability to cope with labor stress. Low childbirth self-efficacy is linked to pain intolerance and poor labor progression, which increase the possibility of operative deliveries. However, Ethiopia has limited data. So, the aim of this study was to assess childbirth self-efficacy and its factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health facilities in Arbaminch town, Southern Ethiopia, in 2023. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 422 women from January 1 and January 30, 2023. A systematic random sampling technique was employed. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Modified short form childbirth self-efficacy inventory was used to score self-efficacy. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 27, was used for data management and analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each variable, and logistic model was used. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value of less than 0.05 and 95% confidence level. Results: A total of 416 pregnant women participated in the study. Two hundred twenty eight (54.8%) of the pregnant women had a low childbirth self-efficacy. Age group in ≤24 years (AOR=3.80,95% CI:1.82-8), being primigravida(AOR=1.51,95% CI:1.10-2.86), unplanned pregnancy(AOR=1.67, 95% CI:1.02-2.70), poor social support(AOR=2.17,95%CI:1.09-4.30), having anxiety(AOR=1.30, 95% CI:1.10-3.64), having poor knowledge of childbirth (AOR=2.21, 95% CI:2.09-5.39), and sever fear of childbirth(AOR=6.40,95% CI:2.60-9.80) were statistically significant with low childbirth self-efficacy. Conclusions: The magnitude of low childbirth self-efficacy was high in the study area. Being primigravida, unplanned pregnancy, age ≤24 year, sever fear of childbirth, anxiety, never support from husband, poor social support, and poor knowledge were significantly associated to low childbirth self-efficacy. Therefore, giving special attention to these factors during antenatal care would be important.