Factors affecting maternity service utilization

Abstract

The study established the factors affecting maternity service utilization in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital. The objectives were to explore the mother’s level of knowledge about the maternity services offered in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, to establish community’s alternative maternity service providers to Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, to understand the trend of utilization of maternity services offered in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, to determine the factors influencing the maternity service utilization in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital. Data was collected using a qualitative methodology. The tools that were used for data collection were in-depth interviews, observation and FGDs. The survey was completed by 83 mothers, 17 service providers and the mothers who responded to an interview. Questions that were asked generated demographic information about the mothers; mothers’ knowledge about maternity services, mothers’ socio-economic status and barriers to utilization of the maternity services. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established pregnant women and mothers were using ANC alternatives such as TBAs, traditional healers and herbs. As regards ANC late attendance, the study observed that demographic, social -cultural and behavioral barriers like female literacy, poverty, age of women, cultural beliefs, and quality of care, availability of ANC alternatives and myths and misconceptions influenced the timing and utilization of maternity services. Lack of finances for transport or service costs, distance from the health care facility, not being aware of the services, lack of somebody to take care of the child/children at home were some of the main barriers to xii utilization of maternal services. Others included lack of education, lack of employment, lack of decision-making powers, and lack of time to go back for the services. Characteristics of mothers in the area of study affect the decision to utilize maternity service. The conclusions of the study was that, the intervention measures in place to improve women access and utilization of maternity services mainly address the supply side and ignore the demand side which makes the whole process fail to improve the situation on ground. The study recommended that to improve the level of maternity service utilization in Mubende, the ministry of health should educate women and communities about the importance of maternal services, its availability, and the importance of women having decision-making power over their own health. The health service organization should improve on the quality of care by ensuring that services are provided at convenient hours with privacy, confidentiality and respect and it should evaluate the services periodically from the user’s perspective to maintain the quality of service, there is need to train health workers on service delivery, community sensitization on the values of maternity service, reduction on hospital/clinic charges, equipping and stocking of enough drugs.