Vol. 2, Issue 10 (2013)

Author(s):
Haymanot Mezmur (Msc), Berhanu Desalegn (MPH), Agumasie Semahegn(MPH)

Abstract:
Back ground: Majority of the maternal deaths that occur especially in developing countries are avoidable or preventable. Choice and preference for child birth location are shaped and modified by the tempering socio-economic effects of the contextual environment. This study was aimed to assess factors affecting women’s choice of delivery place.
Method: A community based cross-sectional study was employed from October, 2010 - May, 2011. About 458 women of age 15-49 were participated. Multistage sampling technique was utilized to select the study subjects. Data were collected by structured questionnaire. Data were entered using Epi Info version 3.5.1 and was analyzed using SPSS Version 16.0. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Association was determined by using adjusted odds ratio at 95% CI and p value<0.05. 
Results: more than half (58.7%) of women were choice home for delivery place and 41.3% choice health facilities. Age, education of women, education of husband, occupation of husband, attending antenatal care, having health information, traditional remedies during child birth at home and provider approach toward laboring women were found significant predictors on the choice of delivery place. 
Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors, antenatal care, information on the benefit of health institution delivery, tradition belief, and distance and provider approach were significant predictors for the choice of women delivery place. Make efforts to increase community based health education to create awareness for better access to information about maternal health care.