Women Empowerment and Skilled Attendance/Facility Delivery in a Rural Community of Western Kenya

Abstract

It is estimated that over 500,000 women die annually due to maternity complications, majority occur in the developing countries. In Kenya, maternal mortality ratio still remains high despite increased maternal health intervention efforts. Many developing countries have expanded their primary health facilities to improve access to maternal health services. However, disparity in use of health services is not very well understood. To determine relationship between women’s empowerment and utilization of delivery care services, a survey of 403 mothers was conducted in Madiany division of Rarieda district, Kenya. About half the women had skilled delivery and health facility delivery. Predictors of skilled delivery and health facility delivery were education, autonomy, knowledge on pregnancy and delivery risks, occupation, parity, cost and travelling time. In order to move towards achieving MDG 5 we recommend empowering women by better education and income, and raising women’s awareness on pregnancy danger signs by comprehensive health education.