Modelling Factors Influencing the Choice of Delivery Place at Birth among Pregnant Women in Rwanda Using Multinomial Logistic Method

A significant number of women in developing countries, particularly in the sub-Saharan countries, do not have the opportunity to be attended to by skilled personnel during childbirth. This is a major factor in maternal mortality. Maternal mortality rates in Rwanda decreased from 476 per 100, 000 live births in 2010 to 290 maternal deaths per 100, 000 live births in 2015. The Rwandan health system is strengthened so that women have the opportunity to be attended by skilled personnel during childbirth in health facilities, but there still a significant proportion of deliveries taking place at home. Little is known about what influences the womens choice of place of delivery. This study used the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) 2014-2015 data to model social economic and demographic factors that influence the choice of a place of delivery among women in Rwanda. The study population are women aged 15 49 years. The descriptive analysis along with chi square test and multinomial logit model were used to examine the factors that influence the choice of a place of delivery among women in Rwanda. Results from final model revealed that womens education, number of ANC visits, womens place of residence and womens age have been shown to be important factors that influence the womens choice of delivery at birth but strong association were found when comparing public health facilities with delivery at home.