Factors Influencing Home Delivery Among Women Of Reproductive Age, In Margibi County, Liberia, 2020.
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Date
2021-12
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University Of Ghana
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy and childbirth have been documented as a period of increased vulnerability in developing countries compared to developed countries. During pregnancy and childbirth, mothers and babies need help, especially from skilled birth attendants or midwives. The use of institutional delivery services is essential for improving mother and child health. However, in Liberia, only a small percentage of women use institutional delivery services. Furthermore, little is known about the factors that influence home delivery. The main objective of this study is to assess and analyse factors influencing home delivery and its outcome among women of reproductive age in Margibi, County, Liberia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 438 women in reproductive age. Data was obtained using a structured questionnaire and a face-to-face interview. A systematic random sampling was used to select the participants’ houses and we applied our inclusion criteria within each house, and selected a respondent. Data was inputted into Epi Info version 7.1 software and exported to STATA version 16.0 for analysis after cleaning and double-checking the completeness of the obtained data. We performed a binary logistic regression to identify factors influencing home delivery. Findings were summarized into tables displaying the frequencies, percentages, crude, and adjusted odds ratios (ORs), pvalues and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A 5% level of significance was considered for all
tests.
Results: Out of the 438 respondents, 397 indicated they delivered at home in their most recent delivery. Prevalence of home delivery was therefore 90.6% (95% CI 87.5 – 93.0). The attitude of health workers, season or period of the year, place for ANC services and the number of children alive were significantly associated with the choice of place of delivery among the study participants. Women with two or more children had 15.8 times increased odds of home
delivery (aOR = 15.77, 95% CI 3.95 - 62.89, p < 0.012). Women who mentioned good attitude of health workers had 0.01 times decreased odds of home delivery (aOR = 0.01, 95% CI 0.001 - 0.07, p < 0.001). Season or period of the year the women delivered also influenced their place of delivery, women who delivered during the raining season had 9.87 times increased odds of home delivery (aOR = 9.87, 95% CI 1.17 - 82.89, p< 0.035).
Conclusion: The prevalence of home birth was higher than the World Health Organization's guideline. The choice of place of deliver was significantly due to the attitude of health workers, season or period of the year, place for ANC service and the number of children alive. It is advised that women be empowered via educational opportunities especially for those with no formal education, increase prenatal care, and that males be included in maternal health services.
Keywords: Margibi, County, Liberia, Home delivery, Childbirth, Pregnancy
Description
MPhil. Applied Epidemiology And Disease Control
Keywords
Liberia, Margibi County, Women Of Reproductive Age, Home Delivery