Determinants of Health Facility Delivery in Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Case-Control Study

Background: Although Ethiopia has developed many strategies to promote health facility delivery, more than half of the women gave birth at home contributing to high maternal and neonatal mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants of health facility delivery in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted in selected districts in Northwest Ethiopia. The sample included 885 infant mothers (295 cases and 590 controls) from April 6-16, 2019. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify predictors, and STATA 14 statistical software was used to analyze the data. Results: The mean maternal age was 26.4 years (SD[+ or -]6.7) for cases and 28.1 years (SD[+ or -]6.8) for controls. The overall good newborn care qualities were 95.8% (206) for cases and 40.8% (262) for controls. Attending a formal education (AOR=2.1 (95% CI: 1.5, 2.9)), having first pregnancy from 18 to 25 (AOR=1.5 (95% CI: 1.1, 2.1)), living within 1 km distance from the nearest health center (AOR=2.5 (95% CI: 1.5, 4.0)), having ANC visits (AOR=3.9 (95% CI: 2.4, 6.5)), having a mobile (AOR=1.7 (95% CI: 1.3, 2.4)) were the determinants of health facility delivery. Conclusion: Maternal education, not having pregnancy at early age, accessing health facilities to the nearby residents, attending antenatal care, and having a mobile were the determinants of health facility delivery. Therefore, strengthening education and healthseeking behavior of the mothers using a locally contextualized strategy is essential. Reaching mothers who are still far from health facility also deserves needs due attention. Keywords: essential newborn care, delivery place, Northwest Ethiopia