Child delivery preference among pregnant women in rural community in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Many African cultures present conflicting options of place of delivery for pregnant women especially in rural  communities. Oftentimes, the option that seems more familiar and accessible to these women is preferred. This study  was conducted in Etim Ekpo, a rural community of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study involved pregnant women, who  had delivered at least three (3) children as at the time of this study, among Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and  health workers in the ten (10) wards in Etim Ekpo LGA of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The research adopted both  quantitative and qualitative research methods. Simple percentages were used to analyze the socio-demographic  characteristics of respondents and the hypotheses generated for the study. It was noted that over 60% of the pregnant population in rural Nigeria preferred the traditional birth options despite the regular campaigns and sensitization by  government and other voluntary agencies to promote modern health facilities for ante and post-natal care. From the  study, the preferred patronage of TBAs by a higher population of rural women is predicated on certain identified factors  like poor quality medical services in modern hospitals, poor financial standing of the rural women, attitude of some  medical personnel to pregnant women, and the trust they have on their TBAs. The study therefore recommended  among others sufficient checks and control on the TBAs to ensure safety in their practices and integrate them into   modern ante-natal health care in the rural areas.