A population-based survey of obstetric practices among rural women in the Bizana district, Transkei.
OBJECTIVE
To determine for the Bizana district, Transkei, the proportion of deliveries that occur at home, home delivery practices, the proportion of women with high-risk pregnancies delivered at home, attendance for antenatal care at the health services and at traditional healers, and the reasons why mothers choose to deliver at home or in the health services.


METHODS
Questionnaire survey.


METHODS
Rural community, South Africa.


METHODS
Two hundred women from randomly selected clusters, obtained from a multistage random sampling process.


METHODS
Place of delivery, home delivery practices and antenatal care for the most recent delivery (within the previous 5 years).


RESULTS
Two-thirds had delivered at home and one-third within the health services. Of those who delivered at home, 62 (47%) were alone at the time of delivery while the remainder were assisted by a close relative or neighbour; 38% had one or more risk factors for obstetric complications. Ninety-seven per cent attended at least once for antenatal care. Home delivery practices and reasons for place of delivery are described.


CONCLUSIONS
Antenatal care should include education about the home management of a normal childbirth. Waiting areas for mothers should be established at hospital level for high-risk pregnant mothers.
O'Mahony
D
D
St Patrick's Hospital, Bizana, Transkei.
Steinberg
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous; D006700:Home Childbirth; D006801:Humans; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires