Factors that influence women's choice of place of delivery in Koza, Mai'adua Local Government Area of Katsina State

Abstract

In sub-Saharan African countries, less than 50% of women do not have the opportunity to be attended to by skilled personnel during child birth. The study aimed to assess the factors that influence women's choice of place of delivery in Koza, Mai'adua Local Government Area of Katsina State. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey design using quantitative data collection and analysis methods. Data collection was carried out by going house-to-house and to get responses from the mothers using a closed-ended questionnaire. The research questions were analyzed using frequency distribution tables and percentages. The hypotheses were tested with the use of Chi-square using the probability of p≤0.05 as a statistically significant level. The analysis was done using International Business Machine Statistical Product and service Solution (IBM SPSS version 26). The results show that majority of the women (46.6%) delivered at home, 23.44% at the hospital, while 37.2% delivered at traditional birth attendants' places. The factors that influence the place of choice are orders from husband and household head 94(36.72), long distance to the health facilities 66(25.79%), lack of money to pay for transport 53(20.70%) and unfriendly experience with the health care providers 43(16.79%). There is statistically significant relationship between respondent age, level of education and the place of choice of place of delivery (p˂0.05). In conclusion, there is a need for health care providers to double their effort to educate the women and their spouses about birth preparedness and the importance of health care delivery.