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Determinants of skilled care during delivery among mothers in Bomachoge Chache, Kisii county, Kenya

Utilisation of skilled care delivery remains low in developing countries, including Kenya. Literature shows that predictors of skilled birth attendance differ from region to region. This study aimed to identify predictors of skilled birth attendance for delivery among women in Bomachoge Chache, Kenya. This was a case control study conducted in 2015, in Bomachoge Chache Sub County, Kisii County, Kenya. The study targeted postnatal mothers who brought their children for immunisation. A total of 322 postnatal mothers (n=161 delivered at home; n=161 delivered in a health facility) answered questions about sociodemographic characteristics on a pretested researcher-administered questionnaire. Association of characteristics with skilled birth attendance was analysed using the chi square test. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the strength of the associations and to control for confounders, with significance assumed at P<0.05. The likelihood of mothers delivering at home was higher in mothers who had two or more children (adjusted odds ratio=28.4, P=0.0005) and in mothers whose spouses were casual labourers (adjusted odds ratio=16.9, P=0.0048). However, the likelihood of delivering at home was lower in mothers who had at least secondary level education (adjusted odds ratio=0.33, P=0.03) and in mothers who were farmers (adjusted odds ratio=0.32, P=0.03). Sociodemographic characteristics including parity, occupation, spousal occupation and education impact the use of skilled care at birth and should be evaluated to inform policy for maternal and neonatal care. Further studies at a household level are recommended to fully understand disparities in skilled attendance at birth.