Health Care Seeking Behavior of Obstetric Danger Signs and its Associated Factors Among Pregnant and Delivered Mothers in Kewot District, North Shoa Zone, Amara Region, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background : Many mothers died due to preventable causes in developing countries like Ethiopia. so, this study aims to assess the healthcare-seeking behavior of obstetric danger signs among pregnant and delivered mothers in 1 year before the study period in Kewot districts. Method: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study design supplemented by qualitative technique was conducted from April 20 -April 30, 2019, in the Kewot district. Pregnant and delivered mothers were selected by systematic random sampling technique and interviewed with a response rate of 98.2%, Using purposive sampling 3 key-informants and 5 mothers were selected for in-depth interview of a qualitative study. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 21 and the logistic regressions model was applied to identify the associated factors. Results : A total of 363 participants were involved in the study. Among participants, 211(58.1 %) at (95% CI; CI: 53.7%-63.1%) were sought appropriate health care action. Women who have ANC follow up (AOR=1.735,95%CI:1.107-2.721), knowledgeable about danger sign, (AOR=2.430,95 % CI:1.360-4.342), the decision for own health care seeking (AOR=2.514,95% CI:1.130-5.501), and women who cannot able to judge graveness of condition (AOR=0.509,95% CI:0.302-0.859) were significantly associated with appropriate healthcare-seeking behavior. Conclusion : Having antenatal care follow up, knowledge about danger signs, inability to judge the graveness of conditions and inability to decide alone for own health care were factors that prevent appropriate health care seeking action. So, there should be health information dissemination about danger signs for every pregnant mother in the catchment area and during their visit to health institutions.