The factors influencing home deliveries in Katine sub county in Soroti district.

Abstract

Introduction: In Uganda, home births among many communities have been the order of the day which explains reduced supervised births in the country and increased maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. It is worth noting that health care that a mother receives during conception, delivery and postnatal is crucial in preventing complications which lead to disability or death of the mother or child. Objectives The main objective of the study was to establish individual related factors, cultural related factors and health system related factors influencing home deliveries in Katine sub county. Methodology The study was carried out from Jan/2015-Nov/2015 with a total of 296 respondents interviewed. A cross sectional study design was used and quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection employed. The questionnaires, group discussions and interview schedule were the tools used in the study. Data got from postnatal mothers who had a home delivery of their last baby and still within 6 months after delivery and from the Health unit records. The data aggregation, entry and analysis was done using Microsoft excel office tool and SPSS and then presented in tables and bar graphs. Conclusions The major findings of the study were that a number of factors play a role in influencing home deliveries among women in different parts of Katine sub county and this has led to increased complications related to unskilled birth attendance at home among women and children increasing Maternal and infant morbidity and mortality hence declined quality of life among women and children due to complications that could have been prevented if attended to at a health facility skillfully. The study established that there is need to urgently empower women with knowledge and socially to help them access ideal health care. The health system too needs to be shaped well to meet the demanding health needs of the community of its community. Recommendations Recommendations have been made to government, non government organizations and to the district leaders and other partners to improve the maternal and child health in Katine Sub County.