Institutional and Home Delivery Practices and Their Predictors Among Women in Benadir Region, Somalia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional
1
SOS College of Health Science University, SOS Children’s Villages, Somalia, Mogadishu, Somalia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2050
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Somalia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, driven by decades of conflict, fragile health systems, and limited access to skilled birth attendance. Institutional delivery services are critical in preventing maternal and neonatal deaths, yet their utilization remains low. This study aimed to assess the level and predictors of institutional delivery among women in the Benadir Region of Somalia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify predictors of institutional delivery among women in the Benadir Region of Somalia.
METHODS:
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2025 in four purposively selected peripheral districts of northern Benadir: Heliwa, Karaan, Warta Nabadda, and Yaqshid. A total of 710 women who gave birth in the past 12 months were selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected through structured, pretested questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and Poisson regression with robust variance was applied to identify factors associated with institutional delivery, reporting adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
The proportion of institutional delivery among respondents was 41%. Significant predictors of institutional delivery included maternal education (AOR=0.069; 95% CI: 0.069–0.369), ANC attendance (AOR=3.97; 95% CI: 2.78–5.67), knowledge of pregnancy danger signs (AOR=2.39; 95% CI: 1.75–3.25), household income (AOR=0.66; 95% CI: 0.46–0.93), age at first pregnancy (AOR=2.07; 95% CI: 1.41–3.04), and distance to a health facility (AOR=1.47; 95% CI: 1.07–2.00). Cultural norms, lack of female providers, urgent labor, and transportation barriers were cited as key reasons for home delivery. Conclusion and Recommendation: Institutional delivery in Benadir remains low. Strengthening ANC coverage, improving community awareness of danger signs, and addressing geographic and financial barriers are essential to increase facility-based births.
Somalia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, driven by decades of conflict, fragile health systems, and limited access to skilled birth attendance. Institutional delivery services are critical in preventing maternal and neonatal deaths, yet their utilization remains low. This study aimed to assess the level and predictors of institutional delivery among women in the Benadir Region of Somalia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify predictors of institutional delivery among women in the Benadir Region of Somalia.
METHODS:
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2025 in four purposively selected peripheral districts of northern Benadir: Heliwa, Karaan, Warta Nabadda, and Yaqshid. A total of 710 women who gave birth in the past 12 months were selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected through structured, pretested questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and Poisson regression with robust variance was applied to identify factors associated with institutional delivery, reporting adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
The proportion of institutional delivery among respondents was 41%. Significant predictors of institutional delivery included maternal education (AOR=0.069; 95% CI: 0.069–0.369), ANC attendance (AOR=3.97; 95% CI: 2.78–5.67), knowledge of pregnancy danger signs (AOR=2.39; 95% CI: 1.75–3.25), household income (AOR=0.66; 95% CI: 0.46–0.93), age at first pregnancy (AOR=2.07; 95% CI: 1.41–3.04), and distance to a health facility (AOR=1.47; 95% CI: 1.07–2.00). Cultural norms, lack of female providers, urgent labor, and transportation barriers were cited as key reasons for home delivery. Conclusion and Recommendation: Institutional delivery in Benadir remains low. Strengthening ANC coverage, improving community awareness of danger signs, and addressing geographic and financial barriers are essential to increase facility-based births.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
