Factors Influencing Choice of Place for Child Delivery among Child Bearing-Aged Women in Balambala Sub-County, Garissa County, Kenya

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.