ABSTRACTBackground: Access and utilization of skilled delivery is critical to reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. However, skilled delivery has consistently been low at an average of 57% in the Wenchi municipality compared to the national target of 80% in Ghana.Objective: The main aim of this study was to …
See more
ABSTRACTBackground: Access and utilization of skilled delivery is critical to reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. However, skilled delivery has consistently been low at an average of 57% in the Wenchi municipality compared to the national target of 80% in Ghana.Objective: The main aim of this study was to assess factors contributing to high Antenatal clinic attendance and low skilled delivery in the Wenchi Municipality, Bono region.Methods: A facility based cross sectional study involving 416 proportionately sampled mothers within the reproductive age (15-49) years who had delivered within the past year prior to the study in the four sub-districts were recruited. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, client and health-related factors was collected using structured questionnaire. In addition, in-depth interview was conducted for 8 health workers. The descriptive parameters were analyzed for frequencies while multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of skilled delivery using SPSS software version 23.Results: Findings from the study indicated that very low proportion (40.0%) of the mothers utilized skilled delivery. The highest level of education attained by the respondents was mainly primary level or basic education 176 (42.3%). Factors strongly associated with skilled delivery included; educational level, ANC attendance, exposure to information on delivery care, availability of transportation and distance to health facilities. Conclusion: The study showed that the utilization of skilled delivery among the mothers was low despite the high ANC attendance and was influenced by diverse factors. It is therefore recommended that health education for both mothers and husbands should be intensified in the municipality
See less
