Health system factors associated with choice of place of delivery among postnatal women in Marsabit County, Kenya
- December 27, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Christine Bokayo Arero, MPH1, Keraka Nyanchoka Margaret, PhD (Professor)2, Shadrack Yonge Ayieko, PhD3, Matoke Omwenga Vincent, MPH4, Okari Maseme Geoffrey, MSc5
1Kenyatta University, Department of Population, Reproductive Health and Community Resource Management, School of Public Health and Applied Human Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya
2Department of Population, Reproductive Health and Community Resource Management, School of Public Health and Applied Human Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya
3Department of Environmental and Health Sciences, School of Applied and Health Sciences, Technical University of Mombasa, Mombasa Kenya
4Department of Population, Reproductive Health and Community Resource Management, Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya
5Department of Health Management and Informatics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya
Abstract:
Background: Worldwide, there were approximately 295,000 women died as a result of pregnancy and childbirth related complications in 2017. Majority of this was from Sub-Saharan Africa with 196000. In Africa, about seventy-five per cent maternal and neonatal deaths occur outside health facilities. In Kenya, maternal mortality rate is 362 per 100,000 live births with 61.2% deliveries occurring in hospitals. There is still evidence of home deliveries despite significant efforts through several interventions.
Objective: The study aims to determine health system factors associated with choice of place of delivery among postnatal women in Marsabit County, Kenya.
Materials and methods: This research adopted a mixed descriptive cross-sectional study design method. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to collect data from participants. A total of 416 respondents were interviewed. The respondents were drawn from households using systematic random sampling at a predetermined interval of four. The study was done in 24 selected villages from Moyale Township, Golbo, Dukana and North-Horr Wards. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 was used to analyze descriptive data. Inferential statistics such as Chi-Square tests at 95% confidence level and p-values of 0.05 was used to determine variable association.
Results: About 178(43.3%) of postnatal women delivered at home in Marsabit County. Chi-square statistics indicated that most health system factors such as distance to the nearest facility (p=0.001), experience with care provider (0.012), hindrance from health facility (p=0.008) and provision of information (0.001) were associated with choice of place of delivery. Results from focused group interviews and key informants were reported as direct narrations.
Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a significant number of women who are still delivering at home in Marsabit County. Majority of the health system factors were associated with choice of place of delivery. This requires concerted efforts by relevant stakeholders to ensure improved access health facility delivery through mobile clinics to assist women deliver under the hands of skilled birth attendants thus discouraging home deliveries.
Key Words: Health system, Place of delivery, Postnatal Women.