Factors Influencing Home Deliveries in Rural Bangladesh

Efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality are essential if the Millennium Development Goal is to be met. Maternal and neonatal mortality could be reduced if women delivered in settings where skilled attendants could provide emergency obstetric care. The objective of this study was to identify factors which are influencing women to receive delivery care at home in rural Bangladesh. A total of 3300 women were interviewed from 22 sub-districts in Bangladesh who had delivered a birth within one year preceding the survey. Findings reveal that more than 80 percent deliveries were placed at home where about 60 percent women perceive that there was no necessity to go to a facility for delivery. Although there are some factual reasons like economic (19percent), religious and cultural (7percent) still their perception on delivery care in not up to the mark. Other socio- economic and demographic factors also influencing home deliveries include women’s education, occupation, income, number of children and number of parity, economic status, knowledge and practice of safe delivery. Considering this situation, providing financial support through a program like Demand Side Financing may encourage women to use institution or skilled provider for delivery rather than home.