Factors associated with skilled attendants at birth among married adolescent girls in Nigeria: evidence from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 2016/2017

BACKGROUND: This study examines the factors associated with skilled birth attendants at delivery among married adolescent girls in Nigeria. METHODS: The study was a secondary data analysis of the fifth round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey conducted between September 2016 and January 2017. Married adolescent girls aged 15-19 y who had live births in the last 2 y preceding the survey were included in the analysis. We performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses with a skilled birth attendant (doctor, nurse or midwife) at delivery as the outcome variable and sociodemographic, male partner- and maternal health-related factors as explanatory variables. RESULTS: Of the 789 married adolescent girls, 387 (27% [95% CI=22.8-30.7]) had a skilled birth attendant at delivery. In the adjusted model, adolescent girls who were aged ≥18 y (ref: <18 y), primiparous (ref: multiparous), had antenatal care (ANC) provided by skilled healthcare providers (ref: no ANC), belonged to at least the poor and middle wealth index quintiles (ref: poorest), and resided in the south west zone (ref: north central), independently had a significantly higher likelihood of having a skilled birth attendant at delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions that will reduce pregnancy in younger adolescent girls, poverty, and increase ANC provided by skilled attendants, are likely to improve deliveries assisted by skilled birth attendants among married adolescent girls in Nigeria.