A study on factors influencing selection of place of delivery among pregnant women in urban slums of Bijapur city, Karnataka

Abstract

Background: Maternal mortality rate is high in our country. One of the factors that play a crucial role is place of delivery. National Rural Health Mission focuses on increasing institutional deliveries (100%). Hence this study has been undertaken. Objectives: To study socio-cultural and economic factors which influence selection of place of delivery among pregnant women in urban slums. Materials and Methods: A community based, cross-sectional study was carried out in urban slums of Bijapur. Of the 20 urban slums, 7 were chosen using Simple Random Sampling technique. A door to door survey was conducted. All pregnant women were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire, after explaining the purpose of study and obtaining oral consent. Results: 108 pregnant women participated in the study. 38.9% women were illiterate. 57.4% pregnant women had at least 3 antenatal care visits. 86.1% preferred institutional delivery. Safety was the reason given by majority of pregnant women 38 (40.9%) for preferring hospital delivery. Mother’s education status and socio-economic status of the family did not play any role in selecting place of delivery. Conclusion: Though the study revealed a high proportion of preference for institutional deliveries (86%) among pregnant women of urban slums of Bijapur city, ANC check-ups were only 27%. This will certainly have an impact on morbidity and mortality of the mother and child. Hence, appropriate action should be planned to improve ANC service utilization rate and knowledge regarding JSY by enhancing IEC activities.

Keywords

• Place of delivery
• pregnant women
• urban slums.