Factors Affecting Health Facility Delivery among Women of Reproductive age in Mwingi North Subcounty- Kitui County, Kenya
Abstract
High maternal mortality rate is one of the major public health concerns in developing countries, Kenya included. Most of the deaths are caused by factors attributed to pregnancy and childbirth. In Kenya, maternal mortality increased from 380/100,000 live births to 530/100000 live births between 1990 and 2008. Skilled assistance during childbirth is central to reducing maternal mortality yet the proportion of deliveries taking place in health facilities where such assistance can reliably be provided has remained below 50% since the early 1990 to 2010. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of health facility deliveries, determine the socio demographic factors, social economic factors affecting health facility delivery and to describe health service-related factors affecting health facility deliveries in Mwingi North Sub County.
This is a descriptive cross sectional study design conducted from December 2017 to February 2018 in Mwingi North Sub County. Proportionate sampling techniques were used. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data. Respondents were drawn from the five wards of the sub county. Descriptive and inferential statistics and chi square tests were carried out. Variables significant at pvalue < 0.05 in bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable regression model; variables with a pvalue of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Interviews were done for 245 women from the five wards of the sub county ie Kyuso 91 (37.4%), Ngomeni 45 (18.3), Tseikuru 43 (17.7%), Mumoni 33 (13.5%) and Tharaka 32 (13%) respectively. The age group 20-24years had the largest proportion 31.6% (74/240). Mean age was 27 years with standard deviation of 6.6. Prevalence of Delivery in a health facility was 50.4% whereas 49.6% of the respondents delivered in their homes.
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On bivariate analysis 9 variables out of all the 15 variables of interest had a pvalue of≤ 0.05. Women who lived <5kms from the health facility had pvalue 0.0001, area of residence (ward) pvalue=0.01, number of children pvalue=0.001, parity of the women 0.001, means of transport chosen pvalue 0.02 number of ANC visits made pvalue=0.01, presence of cultural practices pvalue=0.03, cost of transport pvalue=0.001 and partner occupation pvalue=0.001
On multivariate logistic regression model distance from health facility, number of ANC visits and the means of transport were statistically significant in determining place of delivery. (Pvalue< 0.05) influencing health facility delivery.
Health facilities are the preferred sites for delivery regardless of the level of education, religion, marital status and occupation of the respondents. Long distance from a health facility was significantly associated to home deliveries. Attendance of the prescribed ANC visits is associated with delivery at home. Improving accessibility of health care services and health education on importance health facility deliveries would increase prevalence of delivery at a health facility and consequently decrease maternal mortality rate.