Health Seeking Behaviour During Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Postpartum Period among Women (15 – 49 Years) of East Akim Municipality, Eastern Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Health seeking behaviour among women especially during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period is considered critical in determining the overall health of the mother and the child. It is also known as an indirect indicator of maternal and neonatal health outcomes, but has been understudied in the East Akim Municipality. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the health seeking behaviour and factors that influence the utilization of maternity services among women in their reproductive ages in the municipality. Methods: A cross sectional study design employed, using a structured questionnaire. The study population included women (15- 49 years) who had delivered within two years prior to the study. Stratified sampling and simple random sampling methods were employed to obtain a sample size of 310. Association among variables was determined using the Chi-Squared and Fishers’ exact tests and multivariate logistic regression was done to explore determinants of health seeking behaviour at a 5% significant level. Results: ANC attendance, at least once, was 98.39% whiles institutional deliveries constituted 74.52%. Also 73.55% of mothers delivered in the presence of qualified health personnel, while the rate of non-skilled delivery was 26.45%. Some 86.13% of postnatal women had attended PNC within 42 days after delivery. In comparison to women who lived more than 10km to a health facility, women who lived less than 5km were three times more likely to fulfil all their ANC appointments. Regular ANC visitors and those with active health insurance were also twice and four times more likely to deliver in a healthcare facility, respectively. Conclusion: In East Akim Municipality, in addition to having a high utilization of maternity services during pregnancy and childbirth, a significant proportion of women continue to avoid the use of healthcare services after childbirth.