Determinants of institutional childbirth service utilisation among women of childbearing age in urban and rural areas of Tsegedie district, Ethiopia

the proportion of births attended in health facilities was low in the study district. Women׳s educational status, distance to the nearest health facility, women׳s decision-making power and receipt of maternal and child health care information were important predictors of institutional childbirth service utilisation. This implies that women still lack physical and effective access to maternal health care services. Thus, improving community awareness about skilled providers and institutional childbirth, targeting women who prefer to give birth at home, is encouraged. Safe motherhood education using communication networks in rural and urban communities is crucial. Furthermore, it is recommended that essential obstetric care facilities (health centres) should be established within a reasonable distance of homes, women should be empowered and community midwives should be deployed.