Abstract:
Background: Many women lose their lives in the process of giving life. Reducing maternal
morbidity and mortality is a global priority which is particularly relevant to developing countries.
One of the key strategies for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality is increasing institutional
delivery service utilization of mothers under the care of skilled birth attendants. The crucial role that
Community Health Workers (CHWs) can play in delivering these interventions is not clearly
understood.
Objectives; The aim of this study was to explore the role of community health workers in improving
utilization of institutional delivery service in Jimma zone south west Ethiopia.
Methods:-A community based descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Jimma zone Oromia
regional state south west Ethiopia. The source population for this study was all women of
reproductive age group, CHWs, other health workers, health managers and community members.
Three woredas were selected using lottery method and two kebeles selected from each woredas then
mothers of reproductive age groups, kebeles leaders, health extension supervisors, health extension
workers and health managers were purposively selected. Qualitative data were collected using FGD
(focus group discussion) and in-depth interview to get deep insight into the role of CHWs to
institutional birth service utilization. Data were analyzed manually by thematic analysis and
narration.
Results: The findings of the study showed that community health workers played a role of delivering
key health education and information, referrals, and provision of services like immunization and
acted as advocators (speaking, acting, and writing with minimal conflict of interest on behalf of the
community). Their contribution to institutional delivery is affected by several factors like access to
health facility, commitments and approaches of health workers, the skill of health care providers,
resource constraints, and factors related to the community, health facilities and healthcare providers.
Conclusion: CHWs contribution to the uptake of institutional delivery is changing positively in recent
times but it is very slight. A continuous support from different stake holders to community health
workers, with increased service quality and commitment of health workers will help to improve
uptake of facility delivery services.
