Do cultural beliefs and practices influence the place of delivery among women? A case of Ibanda district, Uganda

James Ntozi, Makerere University
Felece Katusiime, Makerere University

The paper investigates cultural beliefs and practices that influence women’s choice of the place of delivery in Ibanda district of Uganda. Primary survey data on 144 women aged 20-49 years, 10 traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and 5 focus group discussions were used in the analysis. Results showed that fifty five percent of the women delivered from home. Cultural beliefs and practices in the area included use of herbs, burial of placenta, compression of womb, unexposed private parts and delivering alone, but were found not to determine place of delivery. Multivariate analysis of quantitative data found that level of education and type of housing were the most influential variables. Qualitative data identified several other factors of place of delivery including links with TBAs, availability of transportation, success of previous birth, the presence of relatives, previous contacts with the health facility, as well as the circumstances under which labor began.