Factors influencing the Use of Skilled Delivery Services among Women in Beni Township (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Introduction: The specific objectives of the study were to establish the factors influencing the use of skilled delivery services among women in the town of Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo and to determine the proportion of women of childbearing age using skilled delivery services.

Methodology: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. The population consisted of women of childbearing age (15-49 years) and a sample of 400 was drawn using the Slovin formula. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using an interview guide. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed at a P value < 0.05 level of significance.

Results: 81.2% of the mothers used a skilled birth attendant while 18.8% did not. There were socio-demographic, individual and institutional factors that had a statistically significant association with the use of skilled birth attendance. However, high income (DO=2.933, CI=18.333-0.469), management of delivery by doctors at the previous delivery (DO=22.244, CI=66.478-7.443) and satisfaction with the previous delivery service by health facilities (DO=26.420, CI=117.895-5.925) were the main factors influencing the use of skilled delivery services among mothers resident in Beni.

Conclusion: A large number of women use a skilled delivery service in Beni and that these deliveries in most cases have been handled by doctors in the various health facilities, which makes women satisfied with the delivery services offered to them.