PERCEPTION, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF HOME BIRTH AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN SABO COMMUNITY, IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

This study revealed that a high number of women are still practicing home birth with majority being attended to by unskilled persons. This lack of skilled birth attendant during delivery may therefore be a factor responsible for the high maternal and neonatal mortality in this country. The high number of home births in this study can be explained by the fact that most respondents were uneducated and unemployed and factors such as low economic status, fast labour, believe that safe delivery comes from God. Understanding these factors is therefore a step towards focusing on how to help improve the health of women and their babies. The information provided by this study will therefore assist in planning interventions focused on reducing maternal and neonatal mortality with short- and long-term perspectives.