Gebretsadik Achamyelesh, Teshome Million, Mekonnen Mekdes, Alemayehu Akalewold, Haji Yusuf
College of Medicine and Health Science, School of Public Health, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa University, Awasa, Ethiopia.
Health Serv Res Manag Epidemiol. 2019 Apr 4;6:2333392819835138. doi: 10.1177/2333392819835138. eCollection 2019 Jan-Dec.
Health extension workers (HEWs) are primarily been assigned in rural areas of Ethiopia to provide maternal and child health services. Few studies have been done to investigate HEWs' contributions towards maternal health services. This study describes HEWs involvement in the utilization of focused antenatal care (FANC).
A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between January 21 and February 4, 2017. Mothers (2300) who gave birth in the last 6 months (0-6 months) in randomly selected 30 kebeles in the rural Sidama zone, participated in the study. A face-to-face interview was done using a structured questionnaire adapted from the Saving Newborn Lives Program. The main outcome variable was FANC utilization. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used using SPSS statistical software.
The FANC was used by 525 (24.36%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.5%-26.2%) women. Health extension workers accounted for 244 (46.47%; 95% CI: 43.5-47.7%) of mothers. The FANC utilization was less likely among those who were illiterate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: .32; 95% CI: .18-.57) and those who attended first cycle (AOR: .41; 95% CI: .23-.74), those who attended secondary cycle (AOR: .47; 95% CI: .27-.82), primipara (AOR: 0.53; 95% CI: .35-.83), and those who gave birth at home (AOR: .66; 95% CI: .51-.84). Mothers who had knowledge of pregnancy danger signs (AOR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.2-1.7) and exposure to mass media (AOR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.1-1.66) were more likely to utilize FANC.
FANC utilization in this study was low compared to other studies. The HEWs had a major contribution to the services. However, it is low when compared to the plan set by the state ministry of health. The existing health extension program could be strengthened by increasing the number of HEWs. Empowering rural mothers through continuous education program to enhance the utilization of maternal health services.
健康推广工作者（HEWs）主要被分配到埃塞俄比亚农村地区，以提供孕产妇和儿童健康服务。很少有研究调查健康推广工作者对孕产妇健康服务的贡献。本研究描述了健康推广工作者在重点产前保健（FANC）利用方面的参与情况。
于2017年1月21日至2月4日进行了一项基于人群的横断面调查。在农村西达摩区随机选择的30个 Kebeles中，过去6个月（0 - 6个月）内分娩的母亲（2300名）参与了研究。使用从拯救新生儿生命计划改编而来的结构化问卷进行面对面访谈。主要结局变量是重点产前保健的利用情况。使用SPSS统计软件进行描述性统计和多因素逻辑回归分析。
525名（24.36%；95%置信区间[CI]：22.5% - 26.2%）妇女使用了重点产前保健。健康推广工作者占母亲总数的244名（46.47%；95% CI：43.5 - 47.7%）。文盲母亲（调整优势比[AOR]：0.32；95% CI：0.18 - 0.57）、参加第一周期的母亲（AOR：0.41；95% CI：0.23 - 0.74）、参加第二周期的母亲（AOR：0.47；95% CI：0.27 - 0.82）、初产妇（AOR：0.53；95% CI：0.35 - 0.
