Influence of Birth Preparedness, Decision-Making on Location of Birth and Assistance by Skilled Birth Attendants among Women in South-Western Uganda
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PloS one
Abstract
Introduction: Assistance by skilled birth attendants (SBAs) during childbirth is one of the strategies aimed at reducing
maternal morbidity and mortality in low-income countries. However, the relationship between birth preparedness and
decision-making on location of birth and assistance by skilled birth attendants in this context is not well studied. The aim of
this study was to assess the influence of birth preparedness practices and decision-making and assistance by SBAs among
women in south-western Uganda.
Methods: Community survey methods were used to identify 759 recently delivered women from 120 villages in rural
Mbarara district. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Logistic regression analyses were
conducted to assess the relationship between birth preparedness, decision-making on location of birth and assistance by
SBAs.
Results: 35% of the women had been prepared for childbirth and the prevalence of assistance by SBAs in the sample was
68%. The final decision regarding location of birth was made by the woman herself (36%), the woman with spouse (56%)
and the woman with relative/friend (8%). The relationships between birth preparedness and women decision-making on
location of birth in consultation with spouse/friends/relatives and choosing assistance by SBAs showed statistical
significance which persisted after adjusting for possible confounders (OR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0–2.4) and (OR 4.4, 95% CI: 3.0–6.7)
respectively. Education, household assets and birth preparedness showed clear synergistic effect on the relationship
between decision-maker on location of birth and assistance by SBAs. Other factors which showed statistical significant
relationships with assistance by SBAs were ANC attendance, parity and residence.
Conclusion: Women’s decision-making on location of birth in consultation with spouse/friends/relatives and birth
preparedness showed significant effect on choosing assistance by SBAs at birth. Education and household assets ownership
showed a synergistic effect on the relationship between the decision-maker and assistance by SBAs.
Description
Keywords
skilled birth attendants, childbirth, Women
Citation
Kabakyenga JK, O¨ stergren P-O, Turyakira E, Pettersson KO (2012) Influence of Birth Preparedness, Decision-Making on Location of Birth and Assistance by Skilled Birth Attendants among Women in South-Western Uganda. PLoS ONE 7(4): e35747. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0035747