Magnitude and Associated Factors of Institutional Delivery Among Reproductive Age Women in Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Despite the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) fallen by nearly 44% from 1990 to 2015, however, maternal mortality remains a global problem. Reducing maternal morbidity and mortality is a global priority, which is particularly relevant for developing countries like Ethiopia. A good strategy for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality is increasing institutional delivery service utilization. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of institutional delivery among reproductive-age women in southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 526 women at Mizan-Aman town from January 1 to 30, 2019. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews, and a structured questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence and associated factors of institutional delivery among reproductive-age women who delivered in the past one year. The collected data were entered into the Epi Data manager and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Binary logistic regression was done to determine the association between dependent and expected independent variables. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 526 mothers interviewed, the proportion of institutional delivery was 76%, 95% CI (72.4%-79.7%). The study also found maternal age 25-34 years (AOR=1.89, 95% CI [1.42-3.26]) and 35 years and above (AOR=3.51, 95% CI [1.52-7.85]), monthly income >= 36 USD (AOR=2.22, 95% CI [1.12-4.13]), being multiparity (AOR=1.98, 95% CI [1.08-3.62]), having ANC visit (AOR=10.5, 95% CI [6.76-28.3]), knowledge of pregnancy danger signs (AOR=5.51, 95% CI [3.46-10.2]) and experience of pregnancy danger signs (AOR=3.86, 95% CI [2.67-7.29]) were significantly associated with institutional delivery. Conclusion: The utilization of institutional delivery service among mothers in the study area was good. But, more effort is needed to increase service utilization to 100%. The provision of the continuous house to house health education regarding institutional delivery is an important segment of intervention that can be done through health extension workers. Besides, counseling mothers on the importance of institutional delivery by health professionals at each ANC follow-up visit plays paramount importance.