Rethinking how to promote maternity care-seeking: factors associated with institutional delivery in Guinea
Brazier, E.; Fiorentino, Rée.; Barry, S.; Kasse, Y.; Millimono, S.
Health Care for Women International 35(7-9): 878-895
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0739-9332 PMID: 24821280 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2014.916293Document Number: 624847
This article presents findings from a study on women's delivery care-seeking in two regions of Guinea. We explored exposure to interventions promoting birth preparedness and complication readiness among women with recent live births and stillbirths. Using multivariate regression models, we identified factors associated with women's knowledge and practices related to birth preparedness, as well as their use of health facilities during childbirth. We found that women's knowledge about preparations for any birth (normal or complicated) was positively associated with increased preparation for birth, which itself was associated with institutional delivery. Knowledge about complication readiness, obstetric risks, and danger signs was not associated with birth preparation or with institutional delivery. The study findings highlight the importance of focusing on preparation for all births--and not simply obstetric emergencies--in interventions aimed at increasing women's use of skilled maternity care.