Description:
Introduction; The Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey in 2011 reported
maternal mortality ratio of 676 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births which made
our country among the 10 highest contributors’ of maternal death. Many Thesis
results showed that properly equipped and supported skilled birth attendance reduce
many of these complications. However, only 11.5 % of Ethiopian mothers were
supported by skilled birth attendant during their labour and delivery.
Objective: - To assess prevalence and factors to utilize skilled birth attendants
among mothers who gave birth during the last one year in Ankasha Guagusa district.
Methods: - A mixed study design employing a cross sectional household survey with
in-depth interview and focus group discussion were employed. A total of 373 women
age 15 to 49 years who gave birth in the past one year were asked. The sample size
for the qualitative method was determined by saturation of ideas. Descriptive
summary measures and associations between the various factors with skilled birth
attendance were done employing Binary and Multivariate Logistic Regression.
Thematic analysis was also used for the qualitative study.
Result-
The study showed that the prevalence of skilled birth attendance utilization among
women who gave birth for the last one year in the study area were 70(18.8%). Main
determinant factors associated to low utilization of skilled birth attendance in the
study district were; women residence, educational status, ANC visit, type of health
facility near to them, problem during labour and respondent’s attitude towards
pregnancy and labour service. The odds of skilled birth attendance utilization among
urbanites were AOR=5.5:195%CI (2.23, 13.57), educational status 2nd and above
AOR=6.27 :( 1.31, 30.05), numbers of ANC visit 4th and above AOR=12.96:95%CI
(3.20, 52.51) and women who encountered complications during their labour
AOR=61.97:95%CI (19.83, 193.65) times higher than those counterparts. On the
contrary mothers reside near to health post and unfavourable attitude of mothers
towards maternal health care services were 83% and 65% less likely assisted by
skilled birth professionals during their delivery than those the opposite parts
respectively. Moreover, cultural practices, beliefs and barriers were other
concomitant factors for low utilization of skilled birth attendance.
Conclusion
Skilled birth attendance utilization in the study area was very low due to different
barriers. Hence, to bridge this gap especially women’s educational and awareness
towards maternal health care services and cultural influences; sustainable
awareness should be created by designing appropriate strategies including provision
of targeted information, education and communication and integration among health
care providers and other stakeholder at the community and health facilities.
Key-words - Home delivery, skilled birth assistant, skilled birth attendance.