An Assessment of Factors Affecting the Utilization of Maternal Health Care Service Delivery: the Perspective of Rural Women in the Case of Duna Woreda, Hadiya Zone
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Date
2015-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Maternal mortality is a global issue and WHO recommends the use of MHCS to improve the
health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period. Considering global
and national interest in improving maternal health and the fact that Ethiopia is still battling
with reducing maternal mortality, understanding the factors affecting the use of MHCS in
rural areas is crucial as the women are seen as more vulnerable due to inequity issues.
EDHS (2011) show that the utilization of MHCS is low particularly in rural areas.
Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess factors influencing maternal health care
services utilization among rural women in Duna Woreda, Hadiya zone, SNNPR. A
descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in the selected four rural kebeles. The
study adopted the quantitative and qualitative approach of data collection and analysis.
Structured interview questionnaires and FGDs were administered in data collection. Three
hundred forty one (341) study units were sampled for survey using random sampling
technique particularly systematic sampling method were employed whereas non random
technique were used for selecting 40 FGD discussants. Analysis was done using SPSS
version 16. Findings revealed that the use of MHCS is inadequate in relation to the WHO
standards. This was evident from findings of the study where ANC visit attendance was
43.2% and the first initiation of ANC visit occur at late stage of pregnancy for almost 86%
of the respondents. In the same fashion, only 29.7% of women respondents were deliver
their babies at health institutions whereas the use of PADC service has reached to 38%
whereas the coverage of PNC service utilization is better than others which accounts to
53.3% in the studied area. The most important socio-economic and health institution related
factors were significantly associated with all the maternal health outcomes. Similarly the
areal and socio-cultural factors were significantly associated with all the maternal health
outcomes as disabling factors. However, no significant association was established among
exposure to mass media, privacy and confidentiality of the service, number of children of
respondents and the maternal health outcomes. It is recommended that the Health sector
engages in increasing the accessibility of health facility, strengthening the capacity of rural
health facilities and inter-sectoral collaboration to address women equity issues. Effective
integration of TBAs with professional Health personnel in promoting MHCS is needed to
improve utilization of MHCS in rural area. Promoting information, education and
communication in the community is also recommended to favorably affect the major
predictors of MHC service utilization
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Keywords
Rural women, Delivery the Perspective, Maternal health