Factors influencing choice of delivery place among women in reproductive age (15-49 years) in Uganda
Abstract
Background: Decreasing the neonatal and maternal mortality still remains a major challenge in the world which is also the case for Uganda and this has been due to unskilled birth attendance most of the time. Unskilled birth attendance may result into death of the mother or the born baby due to absence of the necessary care and expertise services like performing C-section. The study examined factors influencing choice of a delivery place among women in reproductive age (1549) in Uganda.
Methods: The study based on data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). A weighted sample of 10152 women aged 15-49 who had had a live birth five years preceding to the survey was used. Both chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to examine the predictors of choice of a delivery place among women in the reproductive age. The explanatory variables included age, birth order, residence, wealth index, education, region, religion, occupation of the respondent and the number of antenatal visits.
Results: Results showed that women with four and above children were less likely to deliver at a facility compared to women of first birth order. Urban women were more likely to deliver from a facility as compared to women in rural areas. Women in the middle, fourth and highest wealth quintile were more likely to deliver at a health facility as compared to women in the lowest and second wealth quintile. Of the four groupings by occupation, not working, professional, agriculture and others, engaging in agriculture had a significant relationship with choice of a delivery place among women in reproductive age in Uganda. Women who are educated with primary level and secondary plus were more likely to deliver under skilled birth attendance and more so at a health facility compared to those women with no formal education. Lastly the age of a woman was not found significant in influencing the choice of her delivery place.
Conclusions: My findings could inform policies and interventions in Uganda like family planning, antenatal and postnatal care and also male involvement in reproductive health issues. Health education targeting mothers and their partners is vital in enhancing their awareness and access to skilled birth attendance.