Table 3 Social factors identified in relation to facility-based delivery rates in sub-Saharan Africa

Non-male household head

Kenya

Increased likelihood of FBD

[59]

Husband's occupation

Kenya; Nigeria

Non-farmers have higher rates of FBD

[18, 59]

Husband / partner's education

Eritrea; Ethiopia; Kenya; Nigeria

Greater husband's education, greater FBD

[17, 27, 46]

Small family norm (community level)

Nigeria

Small family norm linked to greater use of SBA

[33]

Stigma / risk of gossip / onlookers

Uganda

FBD puts women at risk of gossip, stigma, social devaluation

[67]

Living in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhood

Nigeria

Linked to lower likelihood of FBD

[17]

Permission from husband, TBA, mother, or mother-in-law

Gambia

Needing permission linked to lower likelihood of FBD

[68]

Social influence of others

Tanzania

Attitudes of others encourage / discourage FBD rates

[61]

Village level: % of village who agree that FBD is important

Tanzania

Higher percent linked to greater FBD rates

[60]

Village level: % of village who rated local facility as "excellent"

Tanzania

Higher percent linked to greater FBD rates; Unrelated in Mills study

[60, 65]

Village level: % of village who attended 4+ ANC visits

Tanzania

Higher percent linked to greater FBD rates

[60]

Village level: % of village who agreed doctors and nurses have good skills

Tanzania

Higher percent agreeing linked to higher FBD

[60]

Village level: % of village who agreed TBAs have good skills

Tanzania

Higher percent agreeing TBAs have good skills linked to lower utilization of FBD

[60]

Community perception of access to nearest facility

Ghana

Higher perception of access linked to higher FBD rates

[65]

Traditional views on delivery and motherhood

Swaziland

More traditional views yield lower FBD rates

[66]