Utilization of Individual Birth Plan Among Women Attending Postnatal Clinic at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu Kenya

Abstract

Background: Kenya has a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 362 women per 100,000, partly attributed to inadequate or lack of birth and emergency preparedness, including the individual birth plan. Moreover, a paucity of data on determinants of individual birth plan use hampers its promotion and utility against MMR. This study assessed the determinants of individual birth plan use among women attending the postnatal clinic at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu, Kenya. Methods: Hospital-based survey was conducted among 354 expectant women between November 2018 and February 2019. Data were collected using questionnaires and a Focus Group Discussion guide. A Logistic regression model was also used to determine factors associated with IBP utilization, where only p-value's <0.05 were considered significant. Textual data were analyzed thematically using NVIVO. Results: Most mothers (68.6%) had an individual birth plan. Determinants for having birth plans included client factors such as education, OR 8.93, p<0.001, occupation, OR=2.40, p=0.020, and parity, AOR=3.29, p=<0.034; knowledge of danger signs, AOR 8.1, p=0.001. Health facility factors included birth plan counseling, OR=3.45, p=0.013, emergency preparedness, OR=2.06, p=0.034, access to motorized transport such as a car, OR=3.8, p=0.035 or motorcycle, OR=2.7, p=0.006 and attending a clinic in a referral hospital, OR=5.8, p=0.003 Conclusion: This study has demonstrated most women utilize individual birth plans. However, they were ill-prepared for an emergency. Determinants of IBP use included client factors such as education level, employment status, parity, knowledge of danger signs, maternal attitude; and facility factors including counseling, attending a clinic in a referral hospital, the use of an automobile to reach the hospital, and hostility by the health care providers. Therefore, we recommend that prenatal counseling should emphasize emergency preparedness among pregnant women. There is a need to empower women through education and employment to enhance IBP utilization.