Last modified: 2023-02-23
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess the status of Ethiopian women’s completion of maternity care with their possible predictors.
Methods: We used data from the 2019 Ethiopian Mini-Demographic and Health Survey. The outcome variable in this study was retention in the continuum of maternity care, which consists of at least four ANC contacts; delivery in a health facility; and postnatal check within 48 hours of delivery. We analyzed the data using STATA version 14, and a binary logistic regression model was used. In the multiple logistic regression model, variables with a p-value ≤ 0.05 were considered as significantly associated with the outcome variable. A weighted analysis was also done.
Results: Of the 3917 women included in this study, only 20.8% of women completed all of the recommended services. Besides, the use of maternal health services favors women living in the biggest city administrations, followed by women living in agrarian regions; however, those living in the pastoralist area were disadvantaged. Having four or more ANC was explained by the maternal education, wealth status, early initiation of ANC, and being in a union. After having four ANC, factor-affecting delivery in a health facility was wealth status. The overall completion of care was associated with women’s level of education, wealth status, timeliness of ANC, and birth order.
Conclusions: Despite the efforts by the Ethiopian government and other stakeholders, the overall completion of care was quite low. There is also a clear inequality because of women's background characteristics and regional variation.