Evaluating the Socio-demographic Predictors of Choice of Place of Birth among Women in the Rural Community of Enugu State, Nigeria

Introduction: The aim of the study was to ascertain the socio-demographic predictors of choice of place of birth among women in the rural community of Enugu State, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was done. It was a community based study using cluster sampling technique. Women who had delivery at one time or the other within the past five years and gave consent were included in the study. A pre-tested, semi structured, interviewer administered questionnaire was used Chi-square test was used to determine associations of socio-demographics and number of children with a choice of place of birth and binary logistic regression used to determine predictors of choice of place of birth.

Results: A total of 142 women were studied. Most of the deliveries occurred in Maternity home (36.6%) and Traditional Birth Attendants (33.8%). About 45.1% of deliveries were by non-skilled attendants. Major reasons proffered for the choice of the place of birth includes good attention, distance to health facility and cost. Factors that were identified as predictors were; women having at least secondary education (AOR =4.3, 95% CI= 1.9-9.2), husband having at least secondary education (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI= 1.4-12.0), being a civil servant (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI= 1.5-3.9) and husband being a civil servants (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI= 0.8-4.9).

Conclusions: A relatively similar proportion of pregnant women were delivered by both skilled and unskilled birth attendants. Good attention, distance to facility and cost were major reason for the choice of place of delivery. Identified predictors of choice of place of delivery were education and occupation of both woman and man. A proper orientation and health education intervention on the benefits of health facility delivery by pregnant mothers as well as economic empowerment is very necessary.