Institutional births, Contextual influences on the use of health facilities for childbirth in Africa. |
Authors: |
Stephenson, R., A. Baschieri, S. Clements, M. Hennink, N. Madise |
Source: |
American Journal of Public Health, Vol 96, Num 1, Page: 84-93 |
Topic(s): |
Institutional births
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Country: |
Africa
Multiple African Countries
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Published: |
FEB 2006 |
Abstract: |
Abstract
Objectives: previous studies of maternal health-seeking behavior focused on individual- and household-level factors. We examined community-level influences on the decision to deliver a child in a health facility across 6 African countries.
Methods: demographic and Health Survey data were linked with contextual data, and multilevel models were fitted to identify the determinants of childbirth in a health facility in the 6 countries.
Results: we found strong community-level influences on a woman’s decision to deliver her child in a health facility. Several pathways of influence between the community and individual were identified.
Conclusions: community economic development, the climate of female autonomy, service provision, and fertility preferences all exert an influence on a woman’s decision to seek care during labor, but significant community variation remains unexplained. |
Web: |
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi/reprint/96/1/84 |
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