Knowledge and attitude of women towards maternity waiting homes and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last twelve months in Dega Damot district, northwest Ethiopia

Tazeb Alemu Anteneh; Abayneh Aklilu Solomon; Animut Tagele Tamiru; Nebiyu Solomon Tibebu; Marta Yimam Abegaz; Wubedle Zelalem Temesgan; Azmeraw Ambachew Kebede; Mastewal Belayneh Aklil; Tiruye Tilahun Mesele; Tiringo Molla Tiruye

doi:10.3389/fgwh.2023.988328

Knowledge and attitude of women towards maternity waiting homes and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last twelve months in Dega Damot district, northwest Ethiopia

Front Glob Womens Health. 2023 Feb 20:4:988328. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2023.988328. eCollection 2023.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
² Department of General Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Maternal waiting homes have been identified as one strategy to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality by bringing women living in hard-to-reach areas closer to a health facility that provides emergency obstetric care. Even if utilization of maternal waiting homes is repeatedly assessed, there is a scarcity of evidence in Ethiopia regarding women's knowledge and attitude towards maternal waiting homes.

Objective: This study aimed to assess women's knowledge and attitude towards maternity waiting homes and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last twelve months in northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1st to February 30th, 2021. A total of 872 participants were selected by using a stratified cluster sampling technique. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into EPI data version 4.6 and analysis was done through SPSS version 25. The multivariable logistic regression model was fitted and the level of significance was declared at a p-value of ≤0.05.

Result: Women's adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards maternal waiting homes were 67.3% (95% CI: 64-70) and 73% (95% CI: 70-76), respectively. Had antenatal care visit, the shortest distance to reach the nearby health facility, had history of maternal waiting homes utilization, always involved in health care decision, and sometimes involved in health care decisions were significantly associated with women's knowledge regarding maternal waiting homes. Moreover, secondary and above educational level of women, short distance to reach the nearby health facility and had antenatal care visit were significantly associated with women's attitude towards maternity waiting homes.

Conclusion: About two-third of women had adequate knowledge and nearly three-fourth of women had a positive attitude towards maternity waiting homes. It is better to improve the accessibility and utilization of maternal health services Furthermore, it is better to promote women's decision making power and create motivation to have better academic achievement of women.

Keywords: Ethiopia; attitude; factors; knowledge; maternity waiting homes.