Home birth and associated factors in Nigeria: A comparative study of rural and urban settings—Analysis of national population-based data

Emmanuel O Adewuyi, Asa Auta, Olumuyiwa Omonaiye, Mary I Adewuyi, Victory Olutuase, Kazeem Adefemi, Olumide A Odeyemi, Yun Zhao, Gizachew A Tessema and Gavin Pereira

PLOS ONE, 2025, vol. 20, issue 11, 1-26

Abstract: Introduction: Nigeria currently has the highest maternal mortality ratio and one of the highest neonatal mortality rates worldwide. Home birth—childbirth outside health facilities, often without skilled attendance or timely access to emergency obstetric care—may contribute to these disproportionate and avoidable adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. National estimates often mask substantial sub-national disparities. This study examines the prevalence of home birth and associated factors across national, rural, and urban settings in Nigeria. Methods: We analysed data from the nationally representative cross-sectional Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018, guided by Andersen’s Behavioural Model. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations between home birth and various predictor variables at the national level, as well as separately for rural and urban areas in Nigeria. Results: Nationally, 58.1% (95% CI: 56.5, 59.7) of mothers gave birth at home, with prevalence twice as high in rural areas (72.4%, 95% CI: 70.7, 74.0) compared to urban areas (36.1%, 95% CI: 33.6, 38.7) (p

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0337438

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0337438

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