Ahmed Yasin Mohammed, Tilahun Ermeko Wanamo*, Fikadu Nugusu Dessalegn
Back Ground: Appropriate delivery care with skills attendant at birth is crucial for both maternal and perinatal health. In addition to professional attention, it is important that mothers deliver their babies in an appropriate setting, where lifesaving equipment and hygienic conditions can also help reduce the risk of Complications that may cause death or illness to the mother and child. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers in child bearing age towards institutional delivery in Adaba town, Oromia, Ethiopia.
Methods: A Community based Cross Sectional Study was conducted from March 15 to March 20. All women of reproductive age group (15-49yrs) were considered as source population. Systematic sampling method was used and data was collected by using structured questionnaires. A study was conducted on 242 women who gave at least one alive birth within five years. The analysis of data was calculated by using scientific calculator and SPSS software. The questionnaires were checked for completeness and consistency through discussion on questionnaire and Prior to applying the total questioner, pretest was done.
Result: The overall practice of institutional delivery of last child in this study was 141(58.3 %). The study revealed that out of 242 mothers in reproductive age group, 212(87.6%) have knowledge and 218(90.1%) have positive attitude to words institutional delivery. Age, marital status, religion, parity, income, ANC follow up and occupation had significant association with institutional delivery.
Conclusion: Practice of institutional delivery is low in the study area. Religion and cultural practice is one of the major factors that make mothers not to deliver at health institution. From a total of 242 mothers 158 (65.3%) of them have delivered at health institution previously while 84(34.7%) of them have never delivered at health institution before. Most mothers have knowledge and positive attitude of institutional delivery in the study area.
Recommendation: Health education program about Institutional delivery should be highly given at ANC follow up because mothers who have ANC follow up were more likely to deliver at health institution than mothers who have no ANC follow up. Cost of health service should be reduced because income has significant influence on delivery service utilization.
