Factors Influencing Choice of Place of Delivery Among Women Attending Antenatal Care at Tassia Kwa Ndege Hospital Embakasi East, Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract

Background: Maternal health is a global public concern that is crucial in the development of any nation. Efforts are made to increase access to quality maternal health care. Nairobi County constructed new hospitals within densely populated areas, however there are low delivery turnouts and thus several factors seem to influence choice of place of delivery of the expectant women attending ANC in Tassia kwa Ndege Hospital, a new facility in Embakasi East Constituency. Broad Objective: To determine factors influencing the choice of place of delivery among women attending antenatal care at Tassia kwa Ndege hospital, Embakasi East, Nairobi. Methodology: The study design was a cross-sectional survey using mixed method approach. Systematic random sampling was used to identify the 290 respondents and purposive sampling for 5 heads of department as KII. Data was collected using questionnaires and KII guide. Content validity ensured the instruments covered all aspects being measured. Pilot study was carried out at Mukuru kwa Njenga. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha with an acceptable score of 0.76. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS V. 30. Chi square tested the significance of variables on choice of place of delivery. Qualitative data was manually transcribed and thematically analyzed. Findings: The findings included that age, level of education of respondent, parity, marital status, household income, employment, continuity of employment, religion, decision maker, head of family, availability of: drugs, lab. and ultrasound service (all with p < .05) had an influence on choice of place of delivery being other health facilities, unlike spouse education level, staff attitude, waiting time or client satisfaction. Conclusion and recommendations: The study concludes that multiple interconnected factors influence the choice of place of delivery and recommends outreach programs on importance facility-based delivery by skilled healthcare personnel, economic empowerment of women, Promotion of shared decision making between spouses and prioritization of hospital funds towards infrastructure linked to maternal services.