Maternity Care Services Utilization and Factors Associated with Institutional Delivery Among Postpartum Women in Dabat Demographic and Health Survey Site, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community Based Baseline Survey for MNCH Surveillance

Abstract Background Maternal continuum of care is identified to have a greatest impact on maternal and child survival. However, there is a wide variation in maternal health services utilization from place to place in Ethiopia. Therefore, knowing antenatal care, labor and delivery, and postnatal care uptake has paramount importance to take interventions. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1626 postpartum women. Descriptive statistics were done to characterize the study population and utilization of antenatal care, institutional delivery, and postnatal care services. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with institutional delivery. Results Nearly eighty percent, (79.7%, 95% CI: 77.7, 81.6), of women attended at least one antenatal care visit at any health facility. However, only less than one third (31.4%) used all the recommended antenatal care (ANC). About half, 820 (49.2%: 95% CI: 46.7, 51.8) women delivered their child in health institution. About half, 822 (50.6%, 95% CI: 48.2, 52.9) of postpartum women who participated in this study had at least one postnatal care (PNC) visit at health facilities. Being urban resident (AOR=8.18, 95%CI: 4.69, 14.26)), respondents of higher educational status (AOR= 4.99, 95%CI: 2.51, 9.90), being Orthodox Christian (AOR= 2.35, 95%CI: 1.15, 4.79), getting TT vaccination during pregnancy (AOR=1.54, 95%CI: 1.06, 2.23), and antenatal care utilization (AOR=2.97, 95%CI: 2.06, 4.27) were predictors for health facility/institutional delivery. Conclusions Though a significant proportion of the study participants initiated antenatal care, utilization of all the recommended antenatal care visits, facility delivery, and postnatal care services were low. Health professionals need to use the first antenatal care visit as a golden opportunity to attract and maintain pregnant women for the subsequent maternal health care services.