Factors Influencing Utilization of Health Facility Delivery: A Case of Abobo Woreda of Gambella Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal mortality is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia. It can be reduced through clean delivery practice in the health facilities. However, the prevalence of health facility delivery practice is low especially in under developed regions in Ethiopia.  Thus, we aimed to determine factors affecting health facility based delivery practice among women of Abobo woreda, Gambella region, Ethiopia. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study design was conducted. Pretested structured interviewer based questionnaire was used to collect data from April 1, 2016 to May 1, 2016.Findings:  Among a total of 422 women participated in the study; only 36(8.5%) of them were given birth at health care facility. Moreover, the younger the women [OR = 1.30(95% CI 0.66, 2.59)], the more friendly approach of health professionals to women [OR = 1.42(95% CI 0.18, 11.03)], feeling of women as health facility delivery benefits in time of complicated/prolonged labour [OR = 1.05(0.56, 2.00)] were more likely to give birth at health facility while unavailability of transportation to reach health facility [0.68(0.54, 2.61)], feeling of women as health care facility delivery benefits to control bleeding [OR = 0.50(95% CI 0.07, 3.79)] and to get help in time of prolonged/complicated labour [OR = 0.48(95% CI 0.32, 1.30)] were less likely to give birth at health facility. Conclusion: Less than 10% of women gave birth at health facilities. Health intervention focusing on reducing factors contributing to the lack of health facilities delivery is essential. These may include enhancing women’s awareness about benefit of health facility delivery, improving access of transportation, increasing formal education of women, accessing health care centers near to home of the communities.