Social Determinant of Home Delivery among Ever-Married Women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

Abstract

The poor maternal health is one of the public health issues facing by rural women in Pakistan. There are various socio-demographic and cultural factors which confine women to domestic sphere. The main objective of this research is to study various social factors as determinants of home delivery among ever-married women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. In the present study researchers used the quantitative research design in which the data are collected through household survey in the pakhtun society. The data are collected from 503 ever married women in District Malakand, from May 1, to November 30, 2016. The results show that nearly two third 62.3 percent men’s are key decision maker about antenatal care utilization, more than third forth 76 percent of the husbands are key decision makers about the home delivery due to their women subordinate position within household. The researchers concluded that men’s are key decision makers and their decision affect women maternal health care. In order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal No. 3, the study recommends mainstreaming women in the decision making process in domestic sphere as well as their involvement is decision making about accessing and utilizing of maternal health care services. Keywords: Home delivery, men’s decision, subordinate position, women