Abstract:

Background: This study investigated on the pregnant women preference on midwives' gender for birth attendance and associated factors. Different studies done including Africa found that most of the pregnant women preferred female midwives, attitude or behavior of the midwives and socio-demographic factors could be attributed to this.

Methodology: The study conducted at Kambarage health center in Shinyanga, Tanzania whereby descriptive cross section study design were used. 190 pregnant women were participated in the study. Data collected through face to face interview using researcher assisted semi-structured questionnaire design in English then transformed into Swahili language. Data analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 25, and Chi square test done to identify the associated factors.

Results: A total of 190 participants were involved in the study where the most frequently respondents were those of 15 to 25 years making a total of 98 (51.6%), and the preferred midwife’s gender was male by 39.8% with the factors determining woman’s preference on midwife’s gender being age, woman education status and previous delivery history.

Conclusion: Pregnant women’s preference of midwives’ gender for birth attendant at Kambarage health centre in Shinyanga, Tanzania has been found to be on male midwives as most of the respondents preferred male over female midwives. Factors associated with midwife’s gender preference has been found to be age, education status and previous delivery history.