Delay in Making Decision to Seek Institutional Delivery Service Utilization and Associated Factors among Mothers Attending Public Health Facilities in Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Delay in institutional delivery refers to the time interval from the first onset of labour to start to receiving first healthcare. Delay in deciding to seek care (first delay), identifying and reaching medical facility (second delay), and receiving adequate and appropriate treatment (third delay) are three major factors that contribute to maternal death in developing countries. The time interval from the first onset of labour to decision to seek emergency obstetric care from health facility and time longer than the expected time (one hour) is considered as first delay. Objective: This study was aimed to investigate delay in deciding to seek institutional delivery care and associated factors among mothers attending public health facilities in Dawuro zone. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was employed from March 1-30, 2017. Consecutive sampling technique was used to interview mothers who presented to health facilities to receive delivery service. Data were collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Results: Total of 394 mothers were participated in the study. One hundred sixty six [42%] of the study subjects were delayed in making decision to seek delivery service utilization from health facilities. A significant relationship was found between mother’s residence in rural areas, mother’s educational level primary and below, average monthly income of the family < 1000 ETB & mother’s antenatal care visit less than 4 times and first delay (maternal delay to seek institutional delivery care). Conclusion: Significant number [42%] of mothers delayed in making decision to seek delivery service utilization from health facilities. Therefore, strategies to identify determinants of delay in making decision to seek institutional delivery service and enhance practices for further reduction in this delay is needed.