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. 2013 Jul 3:13:256.
doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-13-256.

Determinants of maternal health care utilization in Holeta town, central Ethiopia

Kidist Birmeta  1 , Yohannes Dibaba, Desalegn Woldeyohannes
Affiliations

Determinants of maternal health care utilization in Holeta town, central Ethiopia

Kidist Birmeta et al. BMC Health Serv Res. .

Abstract

Background: In developing countries a large number of women are dying due to factors related to pregnancy and child birth. Implementing and assuring utilization of maternal health care services is potentially one of the most effective health interventions for preventing maternal morbidity and mortality. However, in Ethiopia the utilization of maternal health care is low.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 20 to February 20, 2012 in Holeta town, central Ethiopia, to assess the determinants of maternal health care utilization among women who had given birth in the past three years prior to the survey. Structured questionnaire and focus group discussion guides were used for data collection. Data were collected from a sample of 422 women in the town. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Statistical tests were done at a level of significance of p<0.05.

Results: The study revealed that 87% of the women had at least one antenatal visit during their last pregnancy. Among the antenatal service users, 33.7% had less than four antenatal visits. More than half of the antenatal care (ANC) attendants made their first visit during their second and third trimester of pregnancy although WHO recommended ANC should be started at the first trimester of the pregnancy. There was a significant association (P<0.05) between ANC attendance and some demographic, socio-economic and health related factors (age at last birth, literacy status of women, average monthly family income, media exposure, attitude towards pregnancy, knowledge on danger signs of pregnancy and presence of husband approval on ANC). The study also revealed that about 61.6% of the women had given birth in the health institutions. Parity, literacy status of women, average monthly family income, media exposure, decision where to give birth, perception of distance to health institutions (HI) and ANC attendance were found to be significantly associated (P<0.05) with delivery care (DC) attendance.

Conclusions: The utilization of ANC and DC service is inadequate in the town. The utilization of ANC and DC were influenced by demographic, socio-economic and health related factors. Improving the status of women by expanding educational opportunities, strengthening promotion of antenatal and delivery care by enhancing community awareness about the importance of ANC and DC are recommended.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage distribution of respondents’ knowledge about Danger Signs of Pregnancy in Holeta town, January to February 2012, (n=217).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage distribution of Reasons for non Attendance ANC Holeta Town, January to February, 2012 (n=54).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Percentage distribution of Reason for Preferring Home Delivery in Holeta Town, January to February, 2012 (n=161).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank. Trends in maternal mortality: 1990 to 2010. : Estimates developed by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and The World Bank; 2012.
    1. Central Statistical Agency [Ethiopia] and ICF International. Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2011. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Calverton, Maryland, USA: Central Statistical Agency and ICF International; 2012.
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    1. Jira C, Belachew T. Determinants of Antenatal care utilization in Jimma Town. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences. 2005;15(1):49–61.
    1. Zeine A. et al.Factors influencing antenatal care service utilization in Hadiya zone. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2010;20(2):75–82. - PMC - PubMed

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