Factors contributing to home deliveries among pregnant women in Ukwimi: Lusanganzi District

Abstract

In developing countries, including Zambia, maternal mortality rates are a pressing public health issue. The primary causes of death are related to pregnancy and childbirth. Although approximately half of women give birth in a healthcare facility in Zambia, there is significant regional variation with the lowest rate being in rural and the highest rate being in urban areas. To evaluate factors contributing to the high number of home deliveries among pregnant women from Ukwimi village in Lusangazi district. Analytical cross sectional study was used among the women with children less than 2 years prior to the study in 2023 in Lusangazi district. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the information. Data were analyze using STATA version 14. The minimum age of respondent were 15 years old and the maximum was 49 years old with the mean age of 28.9 (SD=8.2) years. The majority of participants 90 (23.7%) were mothers between the age of 20-24, 83 (21.9%) were mothers aged between 25- 29 years, 60 (15.8%) were mothers aged between 30-34, 60 (15.8%) were mothers aged between 35-39 years, 46 (12.1%) were mothers aged between 15-19 years, 22 (5.8%) were mothers aged between 45-49 years, 18 (4.7%) were mothers aged 40-44 years, and one did not know her actual age. The majority of respondents 223 (59.5%) attended primary school education, 74 (19.7%) never went to school, 56 (14.9%) attended secondary education and 22 (5.9%) attended university education. Well trained and equipped health workers are known to be a vital protective factor against maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, as they provide maternal health care services. Based on study findings, improving education for girls, to improve accessibility of health facilities and promote early booking of antenatal care clinics by women have been recommended.