Socio-Cultural Predictors of Home Deliveries Among Women in Perinatal Care Catchment Areas

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 143–151

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000148

Original Research Article

Title: Socio-Cultural Predictors of Home Deliveries Among Women in Perinatal Care Catchment Areas

Names of Authors: Zuhura J. Masanja¹, Erick K. Kiprop²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹School of Nursing, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
²Department of Nursing Education, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya

Abstract:
Persistent reliance on unsupervised home childbirth within rural settings contributes substantially to neonatal injuries and maternal complications. This cross-sectional community-based study investigated the socio-cultural and operational predictors of home deliveries among women residing inside active health center catchment zones. A cluster sampling strategy was utilized to enroll 220 mothers who had delivered within the previous 12 months across ten traditional communities. Multivariable logistic regression analysis isolated independent risk indicators. The data showed that 38.6% of the participants chose home delivery over facility care. Key predictive models revealed that high traditional grandmother decision-making authority in the household (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.48–5.42, p = 0.002) and perceived lack of spiritual respect by clinic midwives (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.12–4.11, p = 0.014) significantly increased the likelihood of a home birth. Physical distance exceeding 5.0 km from the nearest facility further escalated home delivery choices (p = 0.005). Expanding institutional birth utilization requires re-engineering midwifery delivery models to incorporate traditional birthing choices safely, alongside building local prenatal education campaigns centered on family grandmothers.

Keywords: Home Births; Maternal Health; Traditional Practices; Healthcare Access; Midwifery Outreach; Rural Communities.

Manuscript Timeline: Received June 22, 2026; Revised August 14, 2026; Accepted August 30, 2026; Published September 11, 2026.

Citation: Masanja, Z. J., & Kiprop, E. K. (2026). Socio-Cultural Predictors of Home Deliveries Among Women in Perinatal Care Catchment Areas. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(9), 143–151. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000148

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