Factors associated with home births in Peru 2015-2017: A cross-sectional population-based study

Background: Higher rates of maternal complications and deaths have been described in home births. However, few local studies have evaluated factors associated with home births in Peru. The study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with home birth in the Peruvian population. Methods: A population-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using pooled data from the 2015-2017 Peruvian Demographic and Health Surveys. A logistic regression model was performed to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for the association between sociodemographic and mother-related factors and home births. Results: Seven out of every 100 births were home births. Living in a rural area (aOR = 3.10; 95% CI: 2.52-3.81), having a primary or secondary educational level, belonging to a medium or low wealth tertile, being from the rest of the Coast, Andean or Amazon regions, the second or greater number of birth order and considering the distance to the health center as problematic (aOR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.17-1.48) were found to be associated with a higher probability of home births. Contrarily, being in the age groups of 25-34 and 35-39 years old, having a multiple pregnancy and giving birth to a medium (aOR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.78-1.00) or large-sized newborn (aOR 1/4 0.81; 95% CI: 0.72-0.93) were associated with a lower probability of presenting home births. Conclusions: Sociodemographic factors are associated with home births in Peru. Further study of these factors is required to develop strategies specific to the needs of the population of childbearing age.