Choosing Not to Give Birth at a Health Facility in Nigeria: Where and Why?

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine regional variations in the self-reported causes of choosing not to give birth at a health facility in Nigeria. Cross-sectional data on 24,033 community dwelling women aged 15–49 years were collected from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) conducted in 2008 and 2013. In both surveys a large proportion of the women mentioned facility childbirth as not necessary: 55.6% (53.3–57.8) in 2008 and 35.6% (34.0–37.2) in 2013. Poor transportation, not being customary, and costliness were each reported by around 10% of the respondents. The regression analysis showed significant regional variations in the prevalence of the self-reported causes of non-utilization. Women in the northern regions of the country were more likely to regard facility childbirth as unnecessary and to complain about transportation and financial difficulties.

Keywords:

• Facility delivery
• Nigeria
• demographic and health survey
• reproductive health
• regional disparity

Acknowledgments

The authors express sincere thanks to DHS for generous provision of the data that has made this study possible.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.