Home Births Versus Hospital Births at Northwestern Part of Namibia

Attendance at antenatal clinic during pregnancy and delivery in health facilities by skilled birth attendants have been shown to reduce the incidence of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Despite efforts by the Namibian government through the Ministry of Health and Social Services to promote delivery at health facilities by pregnant women, many women still deliver at home resulting in high maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity in the country. Factors that influence pregnant women to choose either home or health facility as the preferred place of delivery have not been fully explored in Namibia. The main objectives of this study therefore were to describe the socio-demographic profile of the women attending maternal services and compare the factors associated with choice of home or health facility as the preferred place of delivery by the pregnant women.