Choice of Place for Childbirth: Prevalence and Correlates of Utilization of Health Facilities in Chongwe District; Zambia

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and correlates for utilization of health facilities for childbirth in a rural Chongwe district; Zambia. Design: A cross sectional study was carried among 250 mothers who had delivered babies within one year prior to the survey. A Backward multiple logistic regression method was used to determine independent predictors for utilization of health services for childbirth. Main Outcome Measures: Percent utilization of health facilities. Results: A total of 250 mothers were recruited into the study; of whom the majority were below the age of 25 year (41.2) and were married (84.0). A third (32.8) of the mothers were not able to read and write. The rate of health facility utilization for childbirth was 42.8. Independent predictors for utilization of a health facility were place of last childbirth; and knowledge that traditional birth attendants (TBAs) are given none food items (excluding money) after assisting delivery. Compared to mothers who delivered their last pregnancy At a health facility; mothers who had their last childbirth at home were 85(AOR=0.15; 95CI [0.10; 0.22]) less likely to deliver their current pregnancy at a health facility. Knowledge that a TBA was given none food Items (excluding money) after assisting delivery was negatively associated with delivery at a health facility (AOR=0.55; 95CI [0.37; 0.83]). Conclusion: The importance of giving birth at a health facility should be communicated to mothers who give birth at home; during postnatal visits or clinic outreach sessions