Introduction:

Despite the relatively high antenatal attendance rate the rate of delivery in health facilities is low in Kenya. Only 43 percent of live births in the five years preceding the 2008-09 KDHS took place in a health facility. Consequently complications of pregnancy childbirth and puerperium are leading causes of inpatient morbidity and mortality among expectant women

Objectives:

The main objective of the study was to assess the knowledge attitude and practice of women of child bearing age towards skilled delivery services in a maternity waiting home

Methodology:

It was a cross sectional mixed method study employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data was obtained using questionnaires focused group discussion checklist and in depth interview

Findings:

The significant factors from bivariate analysis were then subjected to multivariate analysis using odds ratio. A majority 255 66.4 of respondents attended the first ANC between 4-6 months and only 128 33.4 of them attended ANC at least four times during their pregnancy. Half of the mothers 194 50.5 had delivered their last child at home. Majority of those who delivered at home 155 79.9 said customs was the main reason for delivering at home. Majority of the mothers 255 66.4 were not aware of the presence of a maternal waiting home. Most 23161.1 said they would use the facility though 74 19.3 cited high cost of financing as reason of not using the maternal waiting home. TBAs still play a key role in home deliveries and this study revealed that the percentage of home deliveries was 56.26 higher than health facility delivery 43.75 .

Results:

The significant factors from bivariate analysis were then subjected to multivariate analysis using odds ratio. A majority 255 66.4 of respondents attended the first ANC between 4-6 months and only 128 33.4 of them attended ANC at least four times during their pregnancy. Half of the mothers 194 50.5 had delivered their last child at home. Majority of those who delivered at home 155 79.9 said customs was the main reason for delivering at home. Majority of the mothers 255 66.4 were not aware of the presence of a maternal waiting home. Most 23161.1 said they would use the facility though 74 19.3 cited high cost of financing as reason of not using the maternal waiting home. TBAs still play a key role in home deliveries and this study revealed that the percentage of home deliveries was 56.26 higher than health facility delivery 43.75 .

Conclusion:

Accessibility of the MWH itself risk identification process the quality of community education antenatal care and the quality of service at the maternity waiting home are areas that need interventions for utilization of this facility to improve.

Author(s):

Focus County(s):

Isiolo County

Programme Area(s):

Sexual, Reproductive, Adolescent & Child Health

Research Priority Area(s):

Disease Domain(s):

maternal and child health

Publication Date: 31.Aug.2023

Conference Title:

AwaAwareness, attitude towards and utilization of maternity waiting home by mothers in Merti Sub County, Isiolo County

Venue: