André Izacar Gaël BITA1, Marie Thérèse Yolande NGA NGOUMOU2, NGANDJOUONG Wilfried Durand 1,Bienvenu AVINA AVINA2
Igiene e Sanità Pubblica 2025; 97 (4): 208-218
Affiliation
1 The ICT University of Yaounde, Department of public health, Yaounde, Cameroon
2 Saint Christophe Institute of health sciences, Yaounde, Cameroon
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Home births (HBs) have a negative impact on maternal mortality, particularly in rural areas and regions where this practice is widespread. HBs are common in the northern of Cameroon and in communities in other Cameroonian cities where internal migrants from the northern and immigrants from the Central African Republic live. This study aims to describe the reasons for HB among women living in the Hausa neighbourhood of the Mfou health district in centre region of Cameroon.
Materials and methods: This is a descriptive study conducted among mothers residing and giving birth at home in the Hausa neighbourhood of the Mfou health district. With the help of a local guide, a comprehensive list of mothers known to have given birth at home at least once was compiled. The data collected during individual interviews using a questionnaire were entered and analyzed using Epi Info 7 software.
Results: A total of 57 mothers who had already given birth at home at least once were surveyed. The results show that, mothers in the Hausa neighbourhood mostly choose HBs because of the high cost of care in health centers (29.8%) and fear of going there (21%). Many of them feel in good health during home birth but lack confidence in their ability to give birth alone (73.8%). Despite the proximity of health centers (less than 5 km for 87%), 70% have no means of transportation, and nearly half have had a bad experience related to cost or quality of service. The choice of where to give birth is influenced by family and traditions, according to mothers. Mothers are calling for lower healthcare costs, greater respect for patients, and more information about the signs of labor during pregnancy.
Conclusion: Despite the proximity of health centers, economic, social, and cultural barriers lead many mothers in the Hausa neighbourhood to prefer home births, thereby limiting access to safe care. It is crucial to reduce costs of care, improve reception services while taking traditions into account, and raise awareness and improve transportation options to encourage births in health facilities.
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