JOURNAL OF LIAONING TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

PREDICTORS OF BIRTHPLACE PREFERENCE AMONG WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE: A 10-YEAR SYSTEMATIC REVIEW FROM JANUARY 2013 TO DECEMBER 2022

Busayo Sarah IGE, Oluwaseyi Abiodun AKPOR, Risikat Idowu FADARE, Zainab Bimpe IJAIYA, Omotayo Deborah OGUNJE

Abstract

Childbirth, though a natural process, has largely become a medicalized event globally, impacting the well-being of women and their families both immediately and in the long term. This study aimed to systematically analyze the factors influencing where women choose to give birth. Conducted as a systematic review, it involved searching databases including Google Scholar, BMJ Clinical Evidence, PubMed, MEDLINE, and POPLINE for articles published from January 2013 to December 2022. Among 47,900 studies initially identified, 39 were reviewed, and 25 met inclusion criteria. The selected articles focused on factors affecting the utilization or non-utilization of healthcare facilities for delivery. Common predictors for birthplace choice included healthcare costs, lack of transportation, limited knowledge about birthing processes, fear of cesarean sections, insufficient hospital resources and staff, and healthcare workers' attitudes. Interventions highlighted the significance of access to health insurance covering obstetric care and supportive healthcare worker behavior in motivating women to opt for healthcare facilities for delivery. Such a shift is crucial for reducing maternal and child mortality rates in Nigeria. The findings underscore the importance of educating women about the benefits of facility-based delivery and fostering positive attitudes among healthcare workers during antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. By addressing these factors, healthcare facility utilization can potentially increase, improving maternal and child health outcomes.

Keywords: Birthplace choice, facility delivery, healthcare workers, maternal health, predictors, utilization