The Influence of Education on Home Births versus Institutional Births in Mysore, India Rosalia Garcia, Elisama Oliveira, Kellee Diaz, Alba Fuertes
Abstract
Introduction: India accounts for 19% for maternal mortality, worldwide; 20% of these cases could be prevented if immediate medical intervention were available during birthing process. Despite Janani Suraksha Yojana (2005), an incentive program to increase institutionalize births,
only 43% of women in southern rural communities had institutionalized births. Health risks associated with home birth include, but are not limited to: postpartum hemorrhage, infectious process/sepsis, and eclampsia. This research focuses on the influence that education has on women's choice of delivery and previous place of delivery; home births vs institutionalized. Based on prior research, we hypothesize that women with higher years of
education are more likely to deliver in a hospital compared to women with lower to no education.
Methods: 275 pregnant women in rural areas surrounding Mysore City were interviewed with socio-demographic, delivery and health practice questions in a three day process. Quantitative methodology of survey research was used to identify the factors associated with the utilization of overall healthcare and education.
Results: Majority of the women preferred a hospital delivery. Previous delivery locations showed hospital deliveries were higher with those women with secondary or above years of education. Home deliveries were higher with those women with primary or less years of education. As age increased, the number of home deliveries increased.
Conclusion: Overall, majority of the women delivered at a hospital. Change can be due to government attempts to reduce home births. Factors such as consequence for home births and response bias could have affected women's response in the survey.