PREFERENCES FOR THE GENDER OF BIRTH ATTENDANTS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINICS AT ASELLA TOWN PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA, 2024

Abstract

Abstract Background: Gender preference is the women’s desire for the same gender or a different gender during childbirth which is influenced by several factors, like comfort, trust, privacy, and cultural beliefs. However, in developing countries, it was not well studied including in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aims to assess pregnant women’s preferences for the gender of birth attendants and associated factors among those attending Antenatal clinics in Asella town public health facilities. Method: A concurrent mixed-methods design was conducted from October to December 2024. Overall, 410 respondents for quantitative were selected by systematic random sampling technique, while purposive sampling was used for the qualitative data based on data saturation. Data were collected for quantitative and qualitative using face-to-face and in-depth interviews respectively. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted at a 95% CI with a significance level (p=<0.05) for quantitative data while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Result: The study findings show that 55.8% had no specific preference, 25.9% preferred a male, and 18.3% preferred female birth attendants. In Multinomial logistic regression analysis, previous experience with male birth attendants (AOR: 2.048, 95% CI: 1.185-3.537), planned current pregnancy (AOR: 0.475, 95% CI: 0.229-0.986), and parity one (AOR: 3.393, 95% CI: 1.298-8.870) and parity two (AOR: 3.541, 95% CI: 1.290-9.725) were significantly associated to the male preference. Residence (AOR: 3.411, 95% CI: 1.447-8.039), and (AOR: 2.489, 95% CI: 1.040-5.957) were significantly associated with male and female gender preference respectively. Attitudes towards birth attendants were significantly associated with male and female preferences at (AOR: 0.081, 95% CI: 0.045-0.145), and (AOR: 0.066, 95%CI: 0.034-0.127). The thematic analysis revealed that the gender preference for birth attendants was influenced by personal experience, emotional comfort, skills, and empathy. Conclusion and recommendation: The findings of the study highlighted over half of the women had no gender preference. Previous experience, residence, and parity were associated with gender preference. The concerned bodies would focus on patient-centered care and further research for exploring factors of gender preference in wider areas. Keywords: Gender Preference, Pregnant Women, Birth Attendants