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Essien SK, Chireh B, Essien JK. Knowledge about unintended pregnancy shortly after childbirth: An issue of ineffective counseling or adherence? WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 20:17455057241255655. [PMID: 38778791 PMCID: PMC11113048 DOI: 10.1177/17455057241255655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Being aware of the possibility of becoming pregnant shortly after childbirth before the resumption of the menstrual period is often overlooked but remains a significant contributor to unintended pregnancies and may lead to maternal and neonatal comorbidities. Exploring the extent of awareness and associated factors could help tailor more interventions toward reducing the rates of short-interval unplanned pregnancies. OBJECTIVE This study explores the extent to which Ghanaian women are aware of the possibility of becoming pregnant shortly after childbirth before the resumption of the menstrual period and its associated factors. DESIGN A cross-sectional study was conducted using the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey. The women participants were sampled using a two-stage cluster sampling design. METHODS We analyzed the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey data of 8815 women who had given birth and received both antenatal care and postnatal checks after delivery in health facilities (private and public) and responded to questions on being aware of short interpregnancy intervals. A multivariable survey logistic regression was used for the analysis. RESULTS Of the 8815 women, approximately 62% of women who received both antenatal care and postnatal examinations before discharge reported being aware of short interpregnancy intervals. Postnatal examination before discharge but not antenatal care was associated with a higher awareness of short interpregnancy intervals. Women who received a postnatal examination were more aware of short interpregnancy intervals than their counterparts (adjusted odds ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.61). Also, awareness of short interpregnancy intervals increased with age, education, knowledge of the fertile period, contraceptive use, and delivery via cesarean section. CONCLUSION Over a decade following the initiation of Ghana's free maternal health policy, there remains a significant gap in the awareness of short interpregnancy intervals, even among women who received both antenatal pregnancy care and postnatal examinations before discharge. The unawareness of the short interpregnancy interval observed in approximately 38% of women raises concerns about the effectiveness of counseling or education provided during antenatal care and immediate post-partum care regarding birth spacing, contraceptive use, the timing of resumption of sexual activity, and the extent to which women adhere to such guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Kwaku Essien
- Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
- EPID@Work (Enhancing the Prevention of Injury & Disability @ Work) Research Institute, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
- School of Rehabilitation Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Batholomew Chireh
- Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
- EPID@Work (Enhancing the Prevention of Injury & Disability @ Work) Research Institute, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
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Azaare J, Kolekang AS, Agyeman YN. Maternal health care policy intervention and its impact on perinatal mortality outcomes in Ghana: evidence from a quasi-experimental design. Public Health 2023; 222:37-44. [PMID: 37515835 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Ghana's free maternal health care policy on stillbirth and perinatal death since its implementation a decade ago. STUDY DESIGN The study used the propensity score matching method, a quasi-experimental design technique and secondary data to construct two groups of mothers with a history of perinatal deaths who subscribed to the 'free' maternal health care policy versus mothers who did not. METHOD The study merged two rounds of repeated cross-sectional data sets obtained from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), 2008 and 2014, and generated exposure variables; pregnant women policy holding status and outcome variables; stillbirth and perinatal death by constructing binary outcomes from the under-five mortality variables of the DHS data sets. Fetal and early neonatal deaths within the data set were categorized into two groups: those exposed to the free maternal health care policy and those who did not. The propensity scores of the two groups were then generated and analyzed after checking for bias and common support. The analysis applied sample weighting to account for clustering and stratification due to the complex design of the DHS. All analyses were done with STATA 15 and adjusted for confounding using independent covariates. RESULTS Stillbirth (43.3%) and perinatal death (60.2%) were high in the intervention group compared to the comparison group, and the differences were statistically significant (stillbirth, 0.0156, and perinatal death, 0.0012). Stillbirth and perinatal deaths were 12 and 13 percentage points higher in the intervention group, and these were statistically significant: adj. coef. = 0.12; 95% CI: [0.03-0.19]; P = 0.005 and adj. coef. = 0.13; 95% CI: [0.03-0.22]; P = 0.005. CONCLUSION The results show that stillbirth and perinatal death were high in the maternal health care policy group, poorly reflecting as outcomes. However, the percentage point difference between stillbirth and perinatal death suggests a decline in early neonatal mortality and a positive impact of the 'free' maternal health care policy on perinatal death over stillbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Azaare
- Department of Health Service, Policy Planning, Management and Economics, School of Public Health, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
| | - A S Kolekang
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatics and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Y N Agyeman
- Department of Population and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
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Matsubara C, Dalaba MA, Danchaka LL, Welaga P. Situation Analysis of a New Effort of Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) for Maternal Health in Upper West Region in Rural Ghana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6595. [PMID: 37623178 PMCID: PMC10454043 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20166595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
A free maternal health policy started in Ghana in 2008, however, health facility utilization is still low, and out-of-pocket payments (OOPPs) are putting households at risk of catastrophic expenditure. To improve this situation, some rural communities have assigned a midwife to a health post called community-based health planning and services (CHPS), where only assistant nurses are allocated. This study explored the effectiveness of the new approach in Upper West Region, Ghana. We conducted a cross-sectional study and interviewed women who gave birth in the last year. We systematically selected communities matched into four criteria: communities near CHPS (functional CHPS), communities near CHPS with a midwife (advanced CHPS), communities near a health centre, and communities without a health facility in their neighbourhood. In total, 534 women were interviewed: functional CHPS 104, advanced CHPS 131, near health centre 173, and no facility 126. About 78% of the women were 20 to 34 years old. About half of the women incurred OOPP, however, catastrophic payment (household spending > 5% of annual income) was significantly lower in advanced CHPS communities for normal delivery compared with the other three communities. The new local approach of assigning a midwife to CHPS functioned well, improving access to healthcare facilities for childbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieko Matsubara
- Bureau of International Medical Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Maxwell Ayindenaba Dalaba
- Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases Research, Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 31, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana;
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, P.O. Box 114, Navrongo, Upper East Region, Ghana
| | | | - Paul Welaga
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, P.O. Box 114, Navrongo, Upper East Region, Ghana
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 24, Navrongo, Upper East Region, Ghana
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Abuku VG, Allotey EA, Akonde M. Clinical and laboratory presentation of first-time antenatal care visits of pregnant women in Ghana, a hospital-based study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280031. [PMID: 36598908 PMCID: PMC9812315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The WHO recommends pregnant women attend antenatal clinic at least three times during pregnancy; during the first, second and third trimesters. During these visits, an array of clinical and laboratory tests is conducted. The information obtained plays an important role not only in the management and care of pregnancy, but also guides policies targeted at addressing pregnancy-induced health challenges. This study therefore presents laboratory and clinical information of pregnant women at their first antenatal visits. METHODS The study was cross-sectional in design which retrospectively reviewed laboratory and clinical data of pregnant women attending their first antenatal clinic (ANC) at the Comboni Hospital, Volta region, Ghana. The data reviewed included information on hemoglobin level, hemoglobin phenotype, malaria diagnostics, Human Immunodeficiency Virus test (HIV), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) test, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) test, Syphilis test, blood pressure, age, urine glucose, and urine protein. The hemoglobin level was assayed with a hemoglobinometer. Qualitative lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay techniques were used to diagnose the HIV, HCV, HBV, syphilis, and malaria status of the pregnant women. Urine dipstick was used assay for the urine protein and urine glucose, whilst the methemoglobin test was used for the G6PD deficiency and alkaline hemoglobin electrophoresis for hemoglobin phenotype. Data on demographic, anthropometric and vital signs such as age, weight and blood pressure were also collected. Descriptive statistics were performed. Frequency and percentages were used to describe the categorical variables and means and standard deviations used to describe the continuous variables. RESULTS Hemoglobin S(Hb S) was found in 12.8% of the women with 73.4% having hemoglobin levels below 11.5g/dl. On G6PD deficiency, 1.6% and 0.8% were partially and fully defective respectively. Also, urine protein (1.2%) and glucose (0.4%) were detected. The prevalence of HBV, HCV and malaria were 4.4%, 3.6% and 2.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION Anemia in pregnancy was high among the study sample. Malaria and hepatitis infections were observed in the study sample. Policies on maternal health should be targeted at providing better nutritional options, that can enhance the hemoglobin level during pregnancy. Pregnant women should benefit from enhanced surveillance for HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vital Glah Abuku
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Alote Allotey
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Maxwell Akonde
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Azaare J, Akweongo P, Aryeteey GC, Dwomoh D. Evaluating the impact of maternal health care policy on stillbirth and perinatal mortality in Ghana; a mixed method approach using two rounds of Ghana demographic and health survey data sets and qualitative design technique. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274573. [PMID: 36174023 PMCID: PMC9521900 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stillbirth and perinatal mortality issues continue to receive inadequate policy attention in Ghana despite government efforts maternal health care policy intervention over the years. The development has raised concerns as to whether Ghana can achieve the World Health Organization target of 12 per 1000 live births by the year 2030. PURPOSE In this study, we compared stillbirth and perinatal mortality between two groups of women who registered and benefitted from Ghana's 'free' maternal health care policy and those who did not. We further explored the contextual factors of utilization of maternal health care under the 'free' policy to find explanation to the quantitative findings. METHODS The study adopted a mixed method approach, first using two rounds of Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data sets, 2008 and 2014 as baseline and end line respectively. We constructed outcome variables of stillbirth and perinatal mortality from the under 5 mortality variables (n = 487). We then analyzed for association using multiple logistics regression and checked for sensitivity and over dispersion using Poisson and negative binomial regression models, while adjusting for confounding. We also conducted 23 in-depth interviews and 8 focus group discussions for doctors, midwives and pregnant women and analyzed the contents of the transcripts thematically with verbatim quotes. RESULTS Stillbirth rate increased in 2014 by 2 per 1000 live births. On the other hand, perinatal mortality rate declined within the same period by 4 per 1000 live births. Newborns were 1.64 times more likely to be stillborn; aOR: 1.64; 95% [CI: 1.02, 2.65] and 2.04 times more likely to die before their 6th day of life; aOR: 2.04; 95% [CI: 1.28, 3.25] among the 'free' maternal health care policy group, compared to the no 'free' maternal health care policy group, and the differences were statistically significant, p< 0.041; p< 0.003, respectively. Routine medicines such as folic acid and multi-vitamins were intermittently in short supply forcing private purchase by pregnant women to augment their routine requirement. Also, pregnant women in labor took in local concoction as oxytocin, ostensibly to fast track the labor process and inadvertently leading to complications of uterine rapture thus, increasing the risk of stillbirths. CONCLUSION Even though perinatal mortality rate declined overall in 2014, the proportion of stillbirth and perinatal death is declining slowly despite the 'free' policy intervention. Shortage of medicine commodities, inadequate monitoring of labor process coupled with pregnant women intake of traditional herbs, perhaps explains the current rate of stillbirth and perinatal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Azaare
- Department of Health Services, Policy Planning, Management and Economic, School of Public Health, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Patricia Akweongo
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Genevieve Cecilia Aryeteey
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Duah Dwomoh
- Department of Biostatistics, School Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Anaba EA, Alangea DO, Addo-Lartey A, Modey EJ, Manu A, Alor SK, Torpey K. Determinants of health facility delivery among young mothers in Ghana; insights from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:656. [PMID: 35987562 PMCID: PMC9392919 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04985-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Globally, young women deliver at home, often under unhygienic conditions and without skilled birth attendants. This study identified the determinants of health facility delivery among young mothers in Ghana.
Methods
We analysed secondary data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, which collected data across the former ten administrative regions of Ghana. This study analysed data from the ‘women file’ by adjusting for the sample weight. STATA/SE version 16 was employed to analyse the data by computing descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Binary Logistic Regression.
Results
Seven in ten young mothers gave birth in a health facility. Young mothers who had secondary school education were over three-fold more likely to deliver in a health facility (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.33–9.23) compared with young mothers with no formal education. Young mothers who resided in rural areas had lower odds (73%) of delivering in a health facility (AOR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.14–0.514) compared with those in urban areas. Young mothers within the richest wealth quintile also had higher odds (8 times) of delivering in a health facility (AOR = 8.24; 95% CI: 0.95–71.77) compared with those within the poorest wealth quintile. Young mothers who obtained four to seven antenatal visits (AOR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.27–1.03) had lower odds of delivering in a health facility compared with those who obtained eight or more antenatal visits.
Conclusion
The majority of young mothers in Ghana gave birth in a health facility. The likelihood of delivering in a health facility was influenced by socio-demographic factors, economic factors and utilization of antenatal care services. Therefore, interventions aimed at increasing utilization of skilled delivery among young women should focus on promoting girl child education, economic status and antenatal care visits.
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Dalaba MA, Welaga P, Immurana M, Ayanore M, Ane J, Danchaka LL, Matsubara C. Cost of childbirth in Upper West Region of Ghana: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:613. [PMID: 35927635 PMCID: PMC9351074 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04947-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Out-of-pocket payment (OOPP) is reported to be a major barrier to seeking maternal health care especially among the poor and can expose households to a risk of catastrophic expenditure and impoverishment.This study examined the OOPPs women made during childbirth in the Upper West region of Ghana. Methods We carried out a cross-sectional study and interviewed women who gave birth between January 2013 and December 2017. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, place of childbirth, as well as direct cost (medical and non-medical) were collected from respondents. The costs of childbirth were estimated from the patient perspective. Logistics regression was used to assess the factors associated with catastrophic payments cost. All analyses were done using STATA 16.0. Results Out of the 574 women interviewed, about 71% (406/574) reported OOPPs on their childbirth. The overall average direct medical and non-medical expenditure women made on childbirth was USD 7.5. Cost of drugs (USD 8.0) and informal payments (UDD 5.7) were the main cost drivers for medical and non-medical costs respectively. Women who were enrolled into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) spent a little less (USD 7.5) than the uninsured women (USD 7.9). Also, household childbirth expenditure increased from primary health facilities level (community-based health planning and services compound = USD7.2; health centre = USD 6.0) to secondary health facilities level (hospital = USD11.0); while home childbirth was USD 4.8. Overall, at a 10% threshold, 21% of the respondents incurred catastrophic health expenditure. Regression analysis showed that place of childbirth and household wealth were statistically significant factors associated with catastrophic payment. Conclusions The costs of childbirth were considerably high with a fifth of households spending more than one-tenth of their monthly income on childbirth and therefore faced the risk of catastrophic payments and impoverishment. Given the positive effect of NHIS on cost of childbirth, there is a need to intensify efforts to improve enrolment to reduce direct medical costs as well as sensitization and monitoring to reduce informal payment. Also, the identified factors that influence cost of childbirth should be considered in strategies to reduce cost of childbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell A Dalaba
- Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Box 31, Ho, Ghana. .,Social Science Department, Navrongo Health Research Centre, Box 114, Navrongo, Ghana.
| | - Paul Welaga
- Social Science Department, Navrongo Health Research Centre, Box 114, Navrongo, Ghana.,C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Box 24, Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Mustapha Immurana
- Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Box 31, Ho, Ghana
| | - Martin Ayanore
- School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Box 31, Ho, Ghana
| | - Justina Ane
- University of Environment and Sustainable Development, PMB Somanya, Ghana
| | | | - Chieko Matsubara
- Bureau of International Medical Cooperation, National Centre for Global Health and Medicine, Toyama 1-21-1, Tokyo, Japan
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Bain LE, Aboagye RG, Dowou RK, Kongnyuy EJ, Memiah P, Amu H. Prevalence and determinants of maternal healthcare utilisation among young women in sub-Saharan Africa: cross-sectional analyses of demographic and health survey data. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:647. [PMID: 35379198 PMCID: PMC8981812 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13037-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal health constitutes high priority agenda for governments across the world. Despite efforts by various governments in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the sub-region still records very high maternal mortality cases. Meanwhile, adequate utilization of maternal healthcare (antenatal care [ANC], skilled birth attendance [SBA], and Postnatal care [PNC]) plays a vital role in achieving improved maternal health outcomes. We examined the prevalence and determinants of maternal healthcare utilization among young women in 28 sub-Saharan African countries using data from demographic and health surveys. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of 43,786 young women aged 15-24 years from the most recent demographic and health surveys of 28 sub-Saharan African countries. We adopted a multilevel logistic regression analysis in examining the determinats of ANC, SBA, and PNC respectively. The results are presented as adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) for the logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS The prevalence of maternal healthcare utilisation among young women in SSA was 55.2%, 78.8%, and 40% for ANC, SBA, and PNC respectively with inter-country variations. The probability of utilising maternal healthcare increased with wealth status. Young women who were in the richest wealth quintile were, for instance, 2.03, 5.80, and 1.24 times respectively more likely to utilise ANC (95% CI = 1.80-2.29), SBA (95% CI = 4.67-7.20), and PNC (95% CI = 1.08-1.43) than young women in the poorest wealth quintile. Young women who indicated having a barrier to healthcare utilisation were, however, less likely to utilise maternal healthcare (ANC: aOR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.78-0.88; SBA: aOR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.75-0.88; PNC: aOR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.83-0.94). CONCLUSION While SBA utilisation was high, we found ANC and PNC utilisation to be quite low among young women in SSA with inter-country variations. To accelerate progress towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets on reducing maternal mortality and achieving universal health coverage, our study recommends the adoption of interventions which have proven effective in some countries, by countries which recorded low maternal healthcare utilisation. The interventions include the implementation of free delivery services, training and integration of TBAs into orthodox maternal healthcare, improved accessibility of facilities, and consistent public health education. These interventions could particularly focus on young women in the lowest wealth quintile, those who experience barriers to maternal healthcare utilisation, uneducated women, and young women from rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luchuo Engelbert Bain
- College of Social Science, Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health (LIIRH), University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
| | - Richard Gyan Aboagye
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
| | - Robert Kokou Dowou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
| | | | - Peter Memiah
- Division of Epidemiology and Prevention: Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland, USA
| | - Hubert Amu
- Department of Population and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
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