Factors Influencing Women’s Preferred Mode of Delivery in Kericho County Hospitals, Kenya

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors influencing women’s preferred mode of delivery among postnatal mothers in Kericho County Hospitals.

METHODOLOGY: Descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted and mixed methods used for data collection. A total of 310 participants were randomly selected using a systematic sampling for quantitative and qualitative approach that used Focus Group Discussion among postnatal mothers in both sampled private and public facilities of Kericho County Hospitals. Data entry and analysis was done with mean and standard deviation computed with results presented in tables. The study used descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. To determine association of variables bivariate and multivariate logistic analysis was adopted. Odds ratios were calculated and the p-value of<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

FINDINGS: The preferred mode of delivery by most respondent was vaginal delivery at 81.3% and 18.7% wanted caesarean section. Bivariate analysis of variables showed that level of education p=0.002, marital status p=0.0001, occupation p=0.007. Cultural beliefs that prohibit certain mode of delivery among postnatal mothers had statistical significant of p=0.02. With focus group discussion, a major concern for almost all women was the severity, duration and patterns of labor pains.

UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY: The study results showed that health provider’s attitudes, care and support influenced their mode of birth. Most respondents showed confidence of been delivered by midwives as compared with other carders Cultural beliefs that prohibit certain mode of delivery was a variable that had significant association with preferred mode of delivery with a value of p=0.02. The findings will be useful in designing interventions and strategies that focuses individualized care of mothers during childbirth to meet individual needs and expectations.