Effect of maternal age on facility-based delivery: analysis of first-order births in 34 countries of sub-Saharan Africa using demographic and health survey data.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Increasing access to skilled birth attendance, usually via childbirth in health facilities, is a key intervention to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Yet, in some countries of sub-Saharan Africa, the uptake is <50%. Age and parity are determinants of facility-based delivery, but are strongly correlated in high fertility settings. This analysis assessed the independent effect of age on facility-based delivery by restricting to first-order births. It was hypothesised that older first-time mothers in this setting might have lower uptake of facility-based deliveries than women in the most common age groups for first birth.

Setting

The most recent Demographic and Health Surveys from 34 sub-Saharan African countries were used to assess women's deli

SUBMITTER: Dunlop CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5905782 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature