Research Publication 2025110006
Maternal Continuum Of Care And Its Determinants Among Mother Who Gave Birth In Bensa District,North East Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia, 2025: A Mixed Method Study
Submitted by Kidusseyoum1@gmail.com
November 28, 2025
07:31 PM
Basic Information
Research Year
2024
Year of Graduation
2025
Data Collection Period
November 30, -0001 -
November 30, -0001
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: The continuum of care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal period is
one of the vital strategies for improving maternal and neonatal health. However, compared to other
sub-Saharan African countries, Ethiopia has one of the lowest completion rates along the three
continua of antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal care. This highlights the need for
further attention and targeted interventions to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in
the country
Objective: the aim of this study is to assess maternal continuum of care and its determinants
among mothers who gave birth in Bensa district, Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia, 2025.
Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted, involving a total of 429
mothers who gave birth in the last six months. Participants were selected through multistage
sampling followed by simple random sampling. A binary logistic regression model was employed
to examine the association between dependent and independent variables. Variables with a p-value
less than 0.25 in bi-variable analysis were included in multivariable analysis. Statistical
significance was declared at a p-value less than 0.05.
For the qualitative component, a phenomenological study design was adopted. Data collection was
encompassing in-depth interviews or focus group discussions with selected participants. The
qualitative data was undergoing thematic analysis, where emerging themes and patterns was
identified and interpreted to provide deeper insights into the maternal care continuum.
Result: In this study, 92 (45.8%) mothers completed the continuum of maternity care. Women
aged >24 years (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.4), Educational status of the mother (AOR = 2.5, 95%
CI: 1.6–4.0), women with planned pregnancies (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–3.0) and exposure to
mass media (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1–2.7) were the factors identified.
Conclusion and recommendation: In this study, completion of the maternity continuum of care
was low. Therefore, appropriate strategic interventions that retain women in the continuum of
maternity care by targeting those factors were recommended to increase the uptake of the
continuum of maternity care. On qualitative finding Participants frequently cited transportation
challenges, long distances to health facilities, and indirect costs as major barrier.
Research Team / Authors
Awgichew
Mekbib
Ethics Approval
Approval Date
November 30, -0001
Documents & Files
Thesis Document (PDF)
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