Determinants of home delivery among women attending antenatal care in Bagwai Town, Kano Nigeria

Unskilled home delivery is a threat to maternal and child health. In northern Nigeria, many pregnant women attend antenatal care but opt to deliver at home despite knowing the potential consequences. An institutional delivery, helps reduce various complications during childbirth, and therefore decreases the rates of maternal and child mortality. To explore the determinants of home delivery after attending antenatal services, this study employed a cross-sectional design and a non-probability purposive sampling technique. Findings of the study revealed that, majority (74.1%) of the women predominantly between the ages of 25-35 years, (29±6.4) quit antenatal care to deliver at home mainly due to maternity staff attitude and presence of male healthcare workers during delivery. The study concluded that, pregnant women are aware of the importance of antenatal care and, do deliver at home due to behavioural, sociocultural and religious preferences. To combat the maternal mortality in this region, values and beliefs of the women and families should be put into cognizance. Additionally, healthcare workers should be respectful and create a conducive environment in the maternity centres. More maternity centres including waiting homes should be provided.