Factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards maternity waiting homes among pregnant women: baseline results from a cluster-randomized trial in rural Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia has implemented maternity waiting homes over the last several decades; however, its utilization is low. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with knowledge of and attitude towards maternity waiting homes among pregnant women in rural Ethiopia. The baseline survey was conducted from September 15 to October 30, 2022, in rural Southern Ethiopia. Survey data were collected from 320 women in their second trimester of pregnancy. The data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. The mean age of the participants was 27.79 (SD ± 6.242) years. Nearly two-thirds (57.5%) of the participants had no formal education and more than three-fourths (72.5%) were housewives. Only approximately one-fourth (23.75%) of the participants used maternity waiting homes. Furthermore, 33.75% had good knowledge, 28.75% had favorable attitudes, and around one-fourth (26.25%) had good male partner involvement. Age group 30 to 39 years (AOR 4.78, 95% CI 1.12–20.36), household income (AOR 6.41, 95% CI 2.78–14.81), having pregnancy intention (AOR 2.63, 95% CI 1.21–5.73), and history of obstetric complications (AOR 6.72, 95% CI 2.81–16.07) were significantly associated with good knowledge about maternity waiting homes. Similarly, age group 30 to 39 years (AOR 4.23, 95% CI 1.14–15.65), household income (AOR 7.12, 95% CI 3.26–15.55), having pregnancy intention (AOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.21–5.47), and history of obstetric complications (AOR 5.59, 95% CI 2.30–13.59) were significantly associated with favorable attitudes towards maternity waiting homes. Providing health education and promoting male partner participation through educating couples may improve women’s access to maternity waiting homes.

Effect of couple-based health education on male-partners knowledge and attitude towards maternity waiting homes in rural Ethiopia: a cluster-randomized trial

“…The study was performed in Ana Lemo and Gibe districts of Hadiya Zone of Southern Ethiopia. The two districts were divided into 52 clusters or Kebeles (the smallest administrative units) 24 .…”

“…The two arms each had 160 couples (pregnant women with their male partners). Details of the sample size calculation can be referred from our previous publication on baseline results 24 .…”

“…Five questions were used to measure attitude. Average scores above median were considered favorable attitude whereas average scores below median were considered unfavorable attitude 24 .…”