Although 92% of women receive antenatal care at least once during pregnancy, a suitable place
of delivery assists only 44% of mothers during childbirth (KDHS, 2008). Therefore, the purpose
of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the choice of place of delivery in Mbooni
west district, Makueni County. The study objectives were to determine the influence of
demographic factors, socio cultural factors and economic factors on choice of place of delivery
among women in Mbooni west district, Makueni County. The study was conducted in May and
June, 2015. It adopted a descriptive survey design and the eligible respondents were women of
childbearing age. With the help of two research assistants, the researcher managed to visit four
locations in Mbooni West District and Cluster sampling method was used to identify participants
for the study. A total of 378 women from Mbooni west district were to participate in the study
but only 373 participated giving a response rate of 98%. Two focus groups discussion were also
conducted for the purpose of the study. Chi square test was used to establish the association
between the independent variables and place of delivery. Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS) version 17 was used for data analysis. The study shows that 67% of women delivered at
hospital, 27.6% of births occurred at home without the help of a skilled birth attendant and only
4.8% of the women were attended by TBAs during delivery. Other than demographic, social
cultural and economic factors that influence choice of place of delivery, other key factors
influencing home delivery included less or no antenatal visits and unexpected labour. From the
study there has been an increase in hospital deliveries though a significant number of mothers are
still giving birth without the assistance of skilled birth attendants. To ensure that hospital
deliveries are increased it was therefore recommended that advocacy to all women of child
bearing age on the importance of hospital deliveries by the Ministry of Health, Ngo’s and
community based organizations should be done. Involvement of husbands as key decision
makers in the choice of place of delivery during antenatal clinic visits could be one of the best
strategies in reduction of home deliveries. During antenatal clinic visits mothers should also be
educated on issues like signs of labour and expected dates of delivery as a step to reduce home
deliveries. Health workers should also strengthen the concept of focused antenatal care where
mothers are sensitized on how to handle the issue of giving birth and also increase the coverage
of antenatal care by reaching out to women at the community level through outreach
programmes that are geared towards creating awareness that antenatal clinic visits are important
for them when they are expectant.