A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the perceptions of safe delivery and their related factors among married women of reproductive age (MWRA) between 20 and 49 years old living in Parkgneum district, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. The data were collected from January 9 to 30, 2009 by interviewing 160 MWRA between 20 and 49 years old using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by using Descriptive Statistics, Chi-square test and Multiple Logistic Regression.
The study found that 53.1% of MWRA were aged between 20 and 34 years old, 70% of them were farmers. Most MWRA had good knowledge about safe delivery, only 27% of them had poor knowledge about safe delivery. 46% of respondents were difficult access to health services, 49.4% were difficult access to safe delivery information and 57.5% of them received good support from their husbands. Half of respondents had negative perceptions about safe delivery and the other half had positive perceptions.
The study revealed that MWRA of old age, poor access to safe delivery information and less husband support were associated with negative perceptions of safe delivery, OR= 2.2 (95% CI =1.1-4.3), 2.4 (95% CI =1.2-4.6) and 2.4 (95%CI =1.2-4.8) respectively.
The findings recommended that increasing accessibility to information and promoting husband’s support are critical to encourage women to access safe delivery services.