Child and Maternal Mortality
in Islamic Countries
31
Figure 2.13. Place of deliveries by urban-rural residence region in selected OIC countries
Data source: Demographic and Health Surveys
When asked for the reasons of not delivering at a health facility to women who delivered at
home, most women in all OIC countries with the DHS data have identified “lack of money” as the
major cause (Figure 2.13). The second most reported cause of not delivering at a hospital was
the distance of health facility. In many settings (Afghanistan [44%], Gabon [44%], Niger [21%],
Pakistan [20%], Azerbaijan [17%]), women reported “lack of permission” as one of the major
causes for not delivering at a health facility. Lack of transportation was identified as one of the
major causes in Niger and Morocco.