Scholars International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SIJOG)
Volume-9 | Issue-10 | 308-314
Original Research Article
Knowledge, Prevalence and Determinants of Traditional Home Delivery Among Women of Reproductive Age in Oluku Community, Benin City, Nigeria
W. E. Kubeyinje, A. Uwadiae, R. O. Iweka, I. Ihimi-Anthony
Published : Oct. 12, 2026
Abstract
Background: Traditional home delivery remains an important maternal-health issue in many Nigerian communities where cultural preferences, affordability, access to formal health services and trust in traditional birth attendants (TBAs) may influence place of childbirth. Objective: To assess knowledge and prevalence of traditional home delivery and identify factors associated with delivery choices among women of reproductive age in Oluku Community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 110 women aged 15–49 years residing in Oluku Community. Participants were selected using simple random sampling and data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0. Frequencies and percentages were used for descriptive analysis, while chi-square tests examined associations between selected sociodemographic characteristics and delivery-related variables. Results: Awareness of traditional home delivery was high (90.9%), and 85.5% identified TBAs as the common attendants at traditional home deliveries. Fifty participants (45.5%) reported delivering their last child at home, compared with 44 (40.0%) who delivered in a hospital or health centre; 16 (14.5%) reported other locations. TBAs were reported as the delivery attendant by 59.1% of respondents. Lack of access to healthcare facilities (27.3%), cultural or religious beliefs (22.7%), trust in TBAs (20.0%), fear of medical interventions (16.4%) and cost of hospital delivery (13.6%) were reported reasons for home delivery. Only 41.8% considered traditional home delivery to carry higher risks than hospital delivery, while 60.9% reported no access to a health facility within their community. Education level was significantly associated with location of last delivery (χ²=14.090, p=0.029); age and marital status were not significantly associated with location of last delivery. Conclusion: Traditional home delivery was common in Oluku Community despite high awareness of the practice. Access barriers, cost, sociocultural beliefs and trust in TBAs influenced delivery choices. Interventions should strengthen access to skilled childbirth care, reduce financial and transport barriers, improve respectful maternity care and establish effective referral linkages with community-based providers.