Reasons for Choice of Place of Delivery Among Women of Reproductive Age in a Semi Urban Population in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Where women choose to deliver affects their access to skilled birth attendant and potentially determines the outcome of the pregnancy. This is an important factor against the backdrop of high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Nigeria. The choice of place of delivery and factors that determine such choices are therefore pertinent considerations in the path to safe motherhood. To assess the factors that determine the choice of place of delivery by women of reproductive age, this cross sectional study was carried out between January to March 2015 in Vom , a semi urban area about 30km from Jos the capital of Plateau State among 2,640 (Two thousand six hundred and forty) women of reproductive age. The mother’s safety was the major factor that influenced the choice of place of delivery by 1,927(73%) of the respondents, the cost of services was the next determinant in 633(24%) of the respondents while the attitude of the health care providers at hospitals was the least consideration in 79 (3%) of the respondents for the choice of place of delivery. The most preferred place of delivery was hospitals (80%) while home delivery and deliveries with Traditional Birth Attendants were favoured by 19% and 1% of the respondents respectively. The majority of the respondents (32%) were between the ages of 40-44 years while 22% were between 25-29years of age. The respondents were predominantly farmers of the Berom ethnic group (99%) and 47% of them had completed primary level of education. The safety of pregnant mother was the major consideration that influenced the place of delivery among women of reproductive age in this population. Hospital delivery was the most favoured place of delivery.