Abstract:
Back ground: In the latest report of Ethiopia Demography and Health Survey (EDHS) 2016, the Maternal
Mortality Ratio was estimated at 421/100,000 live births. Most of these deaths are preventable. Growing the amount of women who deliver in a health facility can be an important means in reducing maternal mortality in low-income settings including Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess preference on place of delivery and associated factors among women of
reproductive age in Gewane woreda Afar regional state, Ethiopia.
Methods and materials: cross-sectional Community based study was conducted was carried out among women of child bearing age in Gewane district from August to October 2018. Multi-staging sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. Structured questionnaire was employed to determine socio - demographic and obstetric factors that affect preference of place of delivery. Numerous predictors were investigated for their associations with the outcome Variable using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, to identify the factors affecting delivery service utilization.
Results: The findings from this study indicate that more than one quarters, (31.5%) of respondents had delivered at the health facilities in their last pregnancy. ANC follow up (AOR= 2.944,95%CI=(1.417, 6.119),educational status of the mothers and their husband (AOR= 3.995,95%CI=(1.999, 7.988) and (AOR=3.206,95%CI=(1.713, 6.0) respectively. Occupation of the mother (AOR= 2.560%CI=(1.216, 5.390) were statistically associated with preference of institutional delivery.
Conclusion: Although a greater number of women who delivered at the health intuition in the study area, a notable number of pregnant women still delivered at home, assisted by TBAs or families consequently escalating the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. Predictors significantly associated with Institutional delivery were mothers’ education level, ANC follow up, age of the mother, and occupation of women. This study contributes the field of reproductive and child health, especially on the preferred choice of delivery place.
........................................ Thesis available at ACIPH Library