Maternal health literacy and postpartum complication readiness among nursing mothers: Implications for adult literacy educators in Southern Cross River State, Nigeria

AbstractThis study assessed maternal health literacy and postpartum complication readiness among nursing mothers and identify the implications for adult literacy educators in the Southern Cross River State, Nigeria. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 252 nursing mothers using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent sample t-test. The results showed that with an average mean of 2.2, the participants’ level of maternal health literacy was moderate, while the average mean was 2.1 equally indicates that the level of postpartum complication readiness among respondents was equally moderate. The respondents’ education level, household income, and mode of delivery were not significantly associated with health literacy and postpartum complication readiness. Specifically, nursing mothers with higher levels of education and household income were not likely to have adequate health literacy and better postpartum complication readiness than others. The study’s results also indicate that adult literacy educators play a crucial role in improving maternal health literacy levels among nursing mothers. These educators can provide effective health education to nursing mothers to enhance their knowledge of maternal health and postpartum complications. This study highlights the need for adult literacy educators to incorporate maternal health literacy and postpartum complication readiness into their programs. This can be achieved by developing tailored health literacy materials and using interactive teaching methods that promote active participation and discussion among learners. Moreover, community-based interventions targeting vulnerable populations such as low-income mothers and those with limited education are needed to improve maternal health outcomes in Nigeria.Keywords: Adult literacy educatorsmaternal health literacynursing motherspostpartum complication readiness Informed consentInformed consent here is the process of obtaining voluntary and informed agreement from individuals who are participated in this research study. Participants were clearly informed to their understanding the nature of the research, its purpose, potential risks and benefits, and their rights as participants before they decided to participate. During administration of the research instrument, we provided each participant with a questionnaire letter which served as informed consent document. This document outlines important information about the research study and informs participants about their rights and responsibilities as participants. It includes details about the purpose of the study, the procedures involved, the expected duration, any potential risks or discomforts, the confidentiality of data, and how the data will be used. The information in the letter were presented in a clear and understandable manner, avoiding technical jargon or complex language. Opportunity was given by to the participants to ask questions and clarify any concerns they may have. Sufficient time were also given to the participant to review the letter, discuss the study with the researchers, and make an informed decision about their participation. Participants were given the right to voluntarily agree or decline to participate in the research study without facing any negative consequences or pressure.Disclosure statementThe authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.Data availabilityStudy data are available on request.