Urban‐rural disparity and determinants of delivery care utilization in Oromia region, Ethiopia: Community‐based cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Low delivery care utilization continues to be a public health problem that significantly contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. The aim of the study is to determine the extent of urban‐rural disparity of delivery care utilization and its determinants. A community‐based cross‐sectional quantitative study supplemented with qualitative data was conducted from February 15 to March 10, 2014. Data were collected from eligible woman using interviewer‐guided semistructured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Logistic regression analysis with 95% confidence interval and p‐value less than 5% was used to identify potential determinant variables. From 567 women, institutional delivery care was attended by 45.9% (260) respondents of whom 69.3% were urban and 21.3% were rural. Mass media and antenatal care attendance were the major determinants in urban respondents, whereas children ever born, partners' occupation, women's autonomy, and pregnancy‐related health problems were statistically significant associations in rural women. The need for maternal health care is not met to the required level. There is a significant disparity in delivery care attendance among urban and rural women of the study area. Women's empowerment and awareness creation should be extensively worked on through mass media and posters or health information.