Determinants of Institutional Delivery in Yobe State, Nigeria

Context: In Nigeria, there exist wide disparities within and between the 36 states regarding the magnitude, pattern and factors that determines the choice of place of delivery. This study aimed to identify women’s biological, sociocultural, and economic characteristics that influence their choice of place of delivery in Yobe State. Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study using the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey with records of 659 women between 15-49 years old, who had given birth between January 2003 and December 2008 in Yobe State. Bivariate Pearson’s Chi square test and two stages of Multivariate regression analysis were conducted. Results: Women leaving near a health facility (Adjusted OR (AOR) = 6.318; CI 1.294 – 30.847), and availability of skilled health workers in the facility (AOR = 3.311; CI 1.153 – 4.49) are more likely to deliver in a health facility compared to those that are living far away from a health facility and the health facility is lacking skilled health workers. Conclusion and Public health implication: Proximity and accessibility to a health facility and the availability of skilled health worker in the nearest health facility were the consistent influencers for the choice of place of delivery after controlling for confounders. This calls for redistributing of health resources and strengthening the institutional capacities of health facilities.