Factors Influencing Choice of Place for Child Delivery among Child Bearing-Aged Women in Balambala Sub-County, Garissa County, Kenya
Ibrahim Gedi Mohamed *
Department of Community Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mount Kenya University, Kenya.
Alfred Owino Odongo
Department of Community Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mount Kenya University, Kenya.
Dominic Mogere
Department of Community Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mount Kenya University, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: There has been little progress made in Sub-Saharan Africa in achieving Sustainable Development Goal of reducing maternal deaths. Maternal mortality can be reduced significantly by skilled delivery. Women in low-income countries choose home deliveries despite the risks. In Kenya, maternity services are offered free-of-charge in all public health facilities. Mothers receive non-cash incentives after delivery. Investigated independent variables were health care related factors, gynecological factors and socio-cultural factors. The dependent variable was the proportions of hospital and, home deliveries. Maternal mortality rate in Balambala was found to be 587/100,000 while the national and county averages were 223 and 530/100,000 respectively. The study investigated factors influencing choice of place of child delivery.
Methods: Cross-sectional study was used and participants recruited through randomization. A sample size of 384 mothers, who had 1-year-old child, registered for ante-natal care services in latest pregnancy in Balambala were interviewed at the households. Quantitative data collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. P-value of .05 was set as statistical significance. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated, nature and magnitude of association between dependent and independent variables investigated.
Results: The independent variables recorded the following; p-value of 0.042 for socio-cultural factors, p-value of 0.039 for obstetric factors and p-value of 0.035 for health care related factors.
Conclusion: Proportions of home and hospital deliveries were 52% and 48% respectively. The independent variables were statistically significant, p-value<.05. The researcher recommends inclusion of literacy lessons into the present ANC profile. Husbands to accompany their pregnant wives to health facilities at least 2 of the 4 scheduled ANC visits.
Keywords: Home deliveries, maternal mortality, proportions, child-bearing age