Utilization and factors affecting delivery in health facility among recent delivered women in Nkasi district

Abstract

Background: High maternal mortality rate is one of the major public health concerns in developing countries including Tanzania. Most of the deaths are caused by factors attributed to pregnancy and childbirth. In Tanzania about 50% of women delivered in health facility with wide variation among regions being lowest in Rukwa(30%) and highest in Dar es Salaam(90%). Objectives: The major purpose of the study was to determine factors that affect delivery in health facility among recent delivered women. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional analytical study was carried out among women with children less than two years prior to survey in July 2012 in Nkasi district. Household survey using structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Result: A total of 368 women were recruited into the study, whereby (87.6%) were below the age of 35 years, (91.6%) were married and (31.5%) were not able to read and write. Majority of respondent attended ANC (98.6%), but only 44.0% delivered in health facilities. Women with secondary education were six times more likely to deliver in health facility compared to those with no education (AOR=6.15,CI=1.105- 34.232), where by those attended ANC more than four visit were two times more likely to deliver in health facility than those who attended less than that. (AOR=2.45,CI=1.500-4.156) and those living more than 5 kilometer were four times less likely to deliver in health facility compared to those living within 5 kilometer to health facility. (AOR=0.24,CI=0.130-0.43). Conclusion: Maternal health services need to continuously sensitize to the community so that the number of pregnant mothers delivered in health facility increased to attain the National target and reduced maternal morbidity and mortality. Recommendation: Based on these findings, increase the utilization of health facility for delivery by improving education among girls, increase accessibility to health facility and promote early booking and regular visits to ANC by women have been recommended.