“I went to the primary health centre close to my workplace, but their capacity cannot deliver the baby”: exploring why women choose different providers for maternal health services in Nigeria

We found women's choice of place of birth is influenced by a complex interplay of factors. Among these are health system inadequacies, socio-economic factors, and the desire for comfortable and quality maternal healthcare. HCWs, CBAs, and nursing mothers emphasised these determinants as critical in shaping women's decisions regarding where to give birth. This highlights the need for comprehensive interventions across policy, healthcare delivery, community engagement, and individual levels to overcome barriers, improve maternal health outcomes, and support women in making informed childbirth decisions.