Enhancing utilization of health facility-based delivery among attendees of focused antenatal care in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to propose women-centered guidelines to enhance the utilization of health facility-based delivery among attendees of FANC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A qualitative exploratory and descriptive research design was used to achieve the aims and objectives of the study. The design was contextual in nature.The study was conducted in three phases, using purposively selected attendees of FANC who participated in individual and focus group interviews in phases I and II respectively. Data were analyzed by means of thematic analysis. In phase III of the study, the findings of the first two phases and literature were used as the basis for the development of guidelines to enhance the utilization of health facility-based delivery services among attendees of FANC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From the analysis of individual interview data, four (4) themes emerged, namely, perceived benefits of home delivery, knowledge deficit about health facility-based delivery, poor access to health care facilities and inadequate resources. These themes were identified as rich and detailed account of the perspectives of facility-based and home delivery among attendees of FANC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Two (2) themes emerged from the analysis of focus group interviews data, namely provision of quality, respectful and dignified midwifery care and increased awareness of FANC. These themes were identified as the rich and detailed account of the views of, and recommendations made by attendees of FANC on measures needed to enhance the development of women-centred guidelines to enhance the utilization of health facility-based delivery services. The recommended measures addressed the negative perceptions of health facility-based delivery among attendees of FANC, with the aim of decreasing home deliveries and increasing the number of institutional deliveries. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa Health Bureau and the health facilities use the proposed guidelines to enhance the utilization of health facility-based delivery.