NSO notes rising child care awareness among mothers

More babies were born in health facilities in the past 11 years, indicating an increased awareness among mothers in child health care, a survey of the National Statistics Office (NSO) has shown.

Based on the NSO’s 2003 National Demographic and Health Survey, the percentage of births delivered in health facilities at the national level increased over the past decade, from 28 percent in 1993 to 36 percent last year.

Carmelita Ericta, NSO chairwoman, said education was a strong factor in the decision of mothers to give birth in health facilities.

"The percentage ranged from as low as four percent among births to women with no education to 69 percent among births to women with college or higher education," she said.

Speaking at the 5th Health Research for Action National Forum, Ericta said an educated mother would likely want to give birth in a health facility or seek prenatal care from a professional.

"And those with previous pregnancies are also not likely to get antenatal care because they think they know what to do," she said.

The survey showed the delivery of babies in health facilities is less common in rural areas (22 percent) as compared to urban areas (54 percent).

In the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Zamboanga peninsula, and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) less than 20 percent of births occur in health facilities, she added. —Sheila Crisostomo