Attitudinal and Religious Dichotomy of Prenatal Delivery Preference in Phi-Coefficient Analysis: Implication for Midwifery in Cross River State, Nigeria

Adequate skilled obstetric assistance during delivery are important strategies that significantly reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. The aim of the study was to determine the association between attitude, religion and prenatal delivery preferences among pregnant women in Cross River State, Nigeria. Based on this purpose, two research questions were raised to guide the study. The Heath belief model by Rosenstock (1974) and Mechanics theory of health seeking behaviour by David Mechanics (1978) formed the bedrock of the study. The research design adopted in this study was the correlational research design. A sample of 800 pregnant women was selected from a population of 3,866,262 via the use of Taro Yamane sample size determination formular. Attitude, Religion and Prenatal Delivery Preference Questionnaire (ARPDPQ) was used to collected data. Data was analyzed with Phi Coefficient (?). Results indicated that Phi Coefficient (?) calculated of .143 and the Pearson Chi-Square (X2) equivalent of 16.464 at 1 degrees of freedom was found to be greater than the p-value value of .000. Again, Phi Coefficient (?) analysis showed that the ? calculated of .345 and the Pearson Chi-Square (X2) equivalent of 95.037 at 1 degrees of freedom was found to be greater than the p-value value of .000. Study concluded that there is a significant association between attitude, religious background and prenatal delivery preference among pregnant women in Cross River State, Nigeria. It was recommended among others that health agencies should implement culturally sensitive health education campaigns, emphasizing the importance of skilled healthcare professionals