Abstract
Maternal mortality is a global issue and WHO recommends the use of maternal health services to help improve the health of women and babies during pregnancy and childbirth. Considering global and national interest in improving maternal health and the fact that Ghana is still battling with reducing maternal mortality, understanding the factors affecting the use of maternal services in rural areas is crucial as the women are seen as more vulnerable due to inequity issues. This study sets to examine the factors that influence the utilisation of antenatal and delivery services among rural women in Ghana, focusing on individual and area factors. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in three rural communities using Akuapim North District of Ghana as a case study.. The study adopted the quantitative approach. Structured interviews were used in data collection with the help of interview schedules. Two hundred and ninety-six (296) respondents were sampled using both probability and non probability techniques. Findings reveal that the use of the MHS is inadequate in relation to the WHO standards. Individual characteristics such as age, marital status and family size and the cost and time taken to a health facility were significantly associated with all the maternal health outcomes. Poor access to vehicles hindered women from delivery in a health institution and getting assistance from trained medical personnels. However, no significant association was established between education of respondents and the maternal health outcomes. It is recommended that the Ministry of Health engages in inter-sectoral collaboration to help ensure health equity.Effective integration of TBAs in providing care is needed to help improve utilisation of maternal services in rural areas
Highlights
Antenatal and delivery services are meant to monitor and ensure the safety of pregnant women and their babies in order to prevent and reduce the incidence of maternal morbidity and mortality
Maternal mortality is a global issue and WHO recommends the use of maternal health services to help improve the health of women and babies during pregnancy and childbirth
Considering global and national interest in improving maternal health and the fact that Ghana is still battling with reducing maternal mortality, understanding the factors affecting the use of maternal services in rural areas is crucial as the women are seen as more vulnerable due to inequity issues
Summary
Antenatal and delivery services are meant to monitor and ensure the safety of pregnant women and their babies in order to prevent and reduce the incidence of maternal morbidity and mortality. Over 500,000 women die from pregnancy and childbirth each year and about 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries (WHO, 1996). Some studies have shown that the uptake of maternal health services in developing countries has significant consequences for both the safe transition of the mother through pregnancy and child birth, and the survival and health of the child during early infancy (Magadi et al, 2000). The United Nations (2005) recognises professional care at birth as one of the key factors that can lower maternal mortality
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