Factors influencing utilisation of delivery services at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (Juth), Jos

• Main Authors: M A Shittu, C C Ekwempu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2012-01-01
• Series: Sahel Medical Journal
• Subjects: Antenatal clinic; attendance; place of delivery
• Online Access: http://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2012;volume=15;issue=1;spage=36;epage=40;aulast=Shittu;type=0

Background: A preliminary unpublished review of two-year antenatal and labour ward records revealed that of the 4537 women seen at the antenatal clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) per year, 2318 (51.1%) delivered in the labour ward per year. There is thus a gap between antenatal clinic attendance and hospital delivery in JUTH. Objectives: To determine the choice of place and its determinants for delivery among women attending antenatal clinic in JUTH. Study design: A cross-sectional design was used to study the proportion of pregnant women who booked for antenatal care in JUTH and delivered of the index pregnancy in the same institution. Results: A total of 347 women were recruited. The women′s place of delivery included JUTH (33.1%), home (31.1%), private health institutions (13.5%), primary health care centers (10.1%), other public hospitals (5.8%) and nursing homes (6.3%). Lack of privacy (22.4%) and long waiting-time (20.2%) were the main reason for non-utilization of the delivery services in JUTH. The other reasons included far distance (17.7%) and family members′ preference (11.6%). The utilisation of delivery services in JUTH was influenced by women′s education (p < 0.05) and first trimester booking in the index pregnancy (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Many women who booked for ANC in JUTH delivered by choice outside the institution. We recommend that pregnant women be given health education on the benefits of hospital delivery, particularly, in institutions where their antenatal history is known. This will ultimately reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.