Lack of autonomy in facility-based births makes women become absentees of maternity services in Somaliland fragile contexts - a qualitative study
Abstract ObjectiveSomaliland has high levels of both maternal and infant mortality. This has been attributed, in part, to the fact that nearly 80% of births in the country take place at home, with women assisted by Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) who have limited medical knowledge when it comes to obstetric complications. In this study we aim to capture multipara women’s decision-making when choosing the place of birth, illuminated by their experiences of maternity services in SomalilandDesignAn explorative qualitative approach using individual interviews conducted in Somaliland with 25 multiparous women who had experience of both a home and facility-based birth within the last three years.FindingsThe main finding of this study was the description of how valuable autonomy and respectful care were for Somaliland women. Respectful care and the cost of maternity services were vital parts of women’s autonomous decision-making when choosing a place of birth. Disrespectful care in maternity services made low-risk pregnancy women chose homebirth instead of a health facility birth. Women who had previous high-risk pregnancies that suggested they should be returnees to facility-based antenatal care, were still planning for a homebirth as their first choice.Key conclusionThis qualitative study was conducted in the fragile context of Somaliland and suggest a need to transform maternal and child health clinics into midwifery-led birthing centers that promote natural birth. It is further important to create new roles and responsibilities for TBAs that link them to the formal health system assuring timely health care seeking during pregnancy and in relation to delivery. There is a need to conduct a country-wide study on the availability and distribution of healthcare providers and to construct a long-term sustainable plan to assure quality and equal access to maternal health care in the country.