Age-specific factors related to institutional delivery in Nigeria: Insights from the 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

With 814 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, maternal mortality remains a significant public health problem in Nigeria. We examined associations between maternal age and institutional delivery among 9,485 women, using data from the 2011 Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. We used multiple logistic regression to identify enabling factors and barriers to institutional delivery. Older maternal age was positively associated with institutional delivery. In age-stratified, adjusted analyses, secondary/higher education and living in wealthy households were consistently associated with increased odds of institutional delivery among the youngest (15–19 years) and the oldest (40–49 years) women. Higher parity was associated with significantly reduced odds of institutional delivery among women <40 years, but was not associated among women aged 40–49 years. Among women of 40–49 years, attending at least four antenatal care (ANC) visits was associated with increased odds of institutional delivery; among women of ages 15–19 years, the association was not significant. Similarly, having a skilled ANC provider was not significantly associated with institutional delivery among women aged 15–19 and 40–49 years. These findings suggest that women at the highest risk for maternal death may face barriers to institutional delivery services. Focused policies and programs are needed to address women’s reproductive health vulnerabilities.