Determinants of utilization of skilled assistance during childbirth in Uganda

Abstract

This study was intended to establish the determinants of utilization of skilled assistance by a mother during childbirth in Uganda. The source of data was the 2006 UDHS and analysis was done at three levels. At univariate level, frequency tables and percentages were used to present the data, at bivariate level; cross tabulations were carried out between the dependent and independent variable. The Pearson Chi-square test statistic was used to test for the association between the dependant and independent variables. A multivariate level, a binary logistic regression model was used to examine the determinants of utilization of skilled assistance by a mother during child birth. A large percentage of the respondents had attained primary education (61.2%), slightly less than half (45.5%) of the respondents lived in poor households, and 70.4% had at least 3 or more children. At bivariate level, all the independent variables tested were statistically significant with utilization of skilled assistance. At multivariate level of analysis the study discovered that as women become older, the odds of using skilled assistance at child birth reduced. However, a change in birth order by just one decreases a mother’s odds of using skilled assistance. A positive relationship between wealth group and skilled assistance during child birth was noted. The study recognizes that utilization of skilled assistance influenced by several factors, antenatal care is one factor that needs to be emphasized given its serious influence in the decisions taken by a mother during pregnancy and delivery. Adequate information and knowledge about skilled assistance during childbirth should be strongly emphasized to both women and men if the complications that come with usage of unskilled deliveries are to be eliminated right from the prenatal period to delivery and after delivery