Optimum utilization of antenatal and postnatal cares among young women in Tigray, northern Ethiopia: A community based-cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Optimum antenatal and postnatal care services are recognized to be the most effective interventions to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. However, optimum antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) service utilization among young women in Africa is very low, especially in rural zones.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the magnitude and factors associated with the optimum ANC and PNC services utilization in Eastern Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Methods: Using a community based cross-sectional study design, 352 randomly selected young women aged 15 to 24 years were interviewed. Among those, 101 and 100 were eligible and included for studying optimum ANC and PNC service utilization, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to identify independent determinants of the two outcome variables (optimum ANC and PNC utilization). Statistical significance was declared at p-value of < 0.05. Statistical packages for social science (SPSS) version 21 was used for analysis.

Results: Optimum ANC and PNC services utilization was reached in 75% (95%CI:64.50-84.20) and 16% (95%CI:9.00-24.00) of the cases, respectively. Being in the age group of 20–24 years (AOR=9.21; 95% CI:1.62-52.25) and having the right to decide about her own health care spending (AOR=6.16; 95%CI:1.22-31.05) were significantly associated with optimum ANC and PNC service utilization respectively. Furthermore, and knowing the availability of adolescent and youth friendly health service (AYFHS) was a significant determinant for both optimum ANC (AOR= 4.01; 95% CI:1.08-14.89) and PNC (AOR=10.81; 95%CI:1.57-71.18) services.

Conclusions: In rural zones in Tigray, PNC services utilization is far away from the optimum, while ANC service utilization is closer, even if a significant number of young women did not receive optimum ANC services. The presence of an AYFHS and its knowledge are shown to be related to an increase of optimal services utilization and hence interventions need to be designed accordingly.