Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia

Hailom Banteyerga

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20

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Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia

Hailom Banteyerga

Published in American Journal of Health Research (Volume 2, Issue 6)

Received: 16 November 2014 Accepted: 21 November 2014 Published: 27 November 2014

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Abstract

Taking the national scenario in maternal health care, it was taken for granted that Ethiopia would not meet the millennium development goal in the reduction of maternal death: assisted birth at a health institution for example was as low as 10% in 2011. Although, the introduction of the health extension program since has enabled the health sector to make major strides towards health promotion and disease prevention, health facility utilization in maternal health care remained low. An ecologically driven health development army (HAD) of thirty members sub structured into community cell based networking of 1-5 has been introduced to guide social mobilization and community participation in health as of 2012. The networking requires all women and men to be teamed in 1-5 cells, actively participate in learning and practicing good health. The analysis of the effect of the networking on boosting maternal health care seeking behavior in rural communities was made using qualitative data obtained from informant interviews and focus group discussions in Amhara, West Gojam and South Wolo Zones. The data analysis looked into inputs, processes, outcomes/outputs, effects and impacts of the networking in maternal health care. The analysis showed that the networking of communities in HAD of 1-30 and substructures of 1-5 is transformative in boosting health care seeking behavior. Study participants demonstrated, irrespective of age, religion and gender, shared health information and attitude towards pregnancy, birth, and the need to mitigate health risks by attending care and treatment services at health facilities. All stakeholders at community and leadership position give credit to the social network of HDA for enhancing maternal care seeking behavior in beneficiaries and responsiveness of heath providers in health facilities to meet health care needs of mothers. The impact of the networking is that communities are empowered and are assuming ownership with regards to dealing with their health care needs. In effect they are demanding for availability of quality of maternal health care services at closer locations. The lesson learnt is that through the use of innovative methodologies and approaches, communities can assume leadership in producing good health. In such a scenario, it is suggested that governments should mobilize resources, local and as well international to improve the supply side of maternal and child health care services. Failure to meet what communities are demanding in health care service delivery would result in dissatisfaction and lack of trust in the health system.

Published in	American Journal of Health Research (Volume 2, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20
Page(s)	378-386
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2014. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Maternal Care, Health Development Arm Networks, Promotion of Health Care Seeking Behavior, Health Service Delivery, MDGs

References

[1]	Abebaw Gebeyehu Worku, Alemayehu Worku Yalew and Mesganaw Fantahun Afework(2013) Factors affecting utilization of skilled maternal care in Northwest Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis. BMC International Health and Human Rights 2013, 13:20 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-698X/13/20
[2]	Banteyerga, Hailom. 2011. Ethiopia’s health extension program: improving health through community involvement. MEDICC rev. vol.13 no.3 Oakland Jul. 2011.(PERESPECTIVE) http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1555-79602011000300011
[3]	Baranowski,T., Perry,C.L. & Percel,G.S. (2002). How individuals, environment and health behavior interact. In Glaz, K. Lewis, F.M., Rimer, B. (eds): Theory research & practice. San Francisco, Josey-bass: 155-178
[4]	Bedford, Juliet, Meena Gandhi, Metasebia Admassu ,Anteneh Girma (2012) ‘A Normal Delivery Takes Place at Home’: A Qualitative Study of the Location of Childbirth in Rural Ethiopia. Maternal Child Health J DOI 10.1007/s10995-012-0965-3
[5]	Chaya, Nada. (2007)Poor Access to Health services: Ways Ethiopia is Overcoming. Population Action International. Volume 2 issue 2. www.populationaction.org
[6]	CSA (2011).Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2011. Central Statistical Agency, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ICT International, Calverton MD, USA. 2012
[7]	Family Care International – Skilled Care Initiative – Qualitative Research www.familycareintl.org/en/issues/29
[8]	Federal Ministry of Health (1997). Health Sector Development Program, I. FMOH, Addis Ababa
[9]	Federal Ministry of Health (2003). Health Extension Program, I. FMOH, Addis Ababa
[10]	Federal Ministry of Health (2011). Health Sector Development Program, IV. FMOH, Addis Ababa.
[11]	Federal Ministry of Health (2014). Health Sector Development IV Annual performance Report. ARM 16-Doc 02/14. Version 1.
[12]	Federal Ministry of Health (2014). Special Bulletin 16th Annual Review meeting, 2014. ARM 16-Doc o4/14.[World Statistics, 2014, WHO]
[13]	The Guardian. (nd)Ethiopia: too many deaths in childbirth as women opt out of healthcare. www.guardian.co.uk
[14]	MHRC. 2013. Hailom Banteyrga (PI). Boosting Maternal and Child Health Care seeking Behavior Wollega, Oromia, Ethiopia, mimeographed.
[15]	MHRC. 2014. Hailom Banteyrga (PI). Boosting Maternal and Child Health care seeking behavior: West Gojam and South Wello Zones of Amhara Region, Ethiopia, mimeographed.
[16]	Rodgers, E.M. (1995). Diffusion of Innovations (fourth edition). New York: Free press.
[17]	Transitional Government of Ethiopia (1993). The Health Policy. TGE: Addis Ababa.
[18]	UNFPA (2013) .Trends in Maternal Health in Ethiopia. http://www.unfpa.org/public/home/mothers/MMEstimates2012/ www.itacaddis.org/.../2013_09_24_09_12_46_UNFPA%20DHS%20In-...

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Hailom Banteyerga. (2014). Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia. American Journal of Health Research, 2(6), 378-386. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20

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ACS Style

Hailom Banteyerga. Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia. Am. J. Health Res. 2014, 2(6), 378-386. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20

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AMA Style

Hailom Banteyerga. Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia. Am J Health Res. 2014;2(6):378-386. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20

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@article{10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20,
  author = {Hailom Banteyerga},
  title = {Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia},
  journal = {American Journal of Health Research},
  volume = {2},
  number = {6},
  pages = {378-386},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.20140206.20},
  abstract = {Taking the national scenario in maternal health care, it was taken for granted that Ethiopia would not meet the millennium development goal in the reduction of maternal death: assisted birth at a health institution for example was as low as 10% in 2011. Although, the introduction of the health extension program since has enabled the health sector to make major strides towards health promotion and disease prevention, health facility utilization in maternal health care remained low.  An ecologically driven health development army (HAD) of thirty members sub structured into community cell based networking of 1-5 has been introduced to guide social mobilization and community participation in health as of 2012. The networking requires all women and men to be teamed in 1-5 cells, actively participate in learning and practicing good health. The analysis of the effect of the networking on boosting maternal health care seeking behavior in rural communities was made using qualitative data obtained from informant interviews and focus group discussions in Amhara, West Gojam and South Wolo Zones. The data analysis looked into inputs, processes, outcomes/outputs, effects and impacts of the networking in maternal health care. The analysis showed that the networking of communities in HAD of 1-30 and substructures of 1-5 is transformative in boosting health care seeking behavior. Study participants demonstrated, irrespective of age, religion and gender, shared health information and attitude towards pregnancy, birth, and the need to mitigate health risks by attending care and treatment services at health facilities. All stakeholders at community and leadership position give credit to the social network of HDA for enhancing maternal care seeking behavior in beneficiaries and responsiveness of heath providers in health facilities to meet health care needs of mothers. The impact of the networking is that communities are empowered and are assuming ownership with regards to dealing with their health care needs. In effect they are demanding for availability of quality of maternal health care services at closer locations. The lesson learnt is that through the use of innovative methodologies and approaches, communities can assume leadership in producing good health. In such a scenario, it is suggested that governments should mobilize resources, local and as well international to improve the supply side of maternal and child health care services. Failure to meet what communities are demanding in health care service delivery would result in dissatisfaction and lack of trust in the health system.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia
AU  - Hailom Banteyerga
Y1  - 2014/11/27
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N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20
T2  - American Journal of Health Research
JF  - American Journal of Health Research
JO  - American Journal of Health Research
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EP  - 386
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8796
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20
AB  - Taking the national scenario in maternal health care, it was taken for granted that Ethiopia would not meet the millennium development goal in the reduction of maternal death: assisted birth at a health institution for example was as low as 10% in 2011. Although, the introduction of the health extension program since has enabled the health sector to make major strides towards health promotion and disease prevention, health facility utilization in maternal health care remained low.  An ecologically driven health development army (HAD) of thirty members sub structured into community cell based networking of 1-5 has been introduced to guide social mobilization and community participation in health as of 2012. The networking requires all women and men to be teamed in 1-5 cells, actively participate in learning and practicing good health. The analysis of the effect of the networking on boosting maternal health care seeking behavior in rural communities was made using qualitative data obtained from informant interviews and focus group discussions in Amhara, West Gojam and South Wolo Zones. The data analysis looked into inputs, processes, outcomes/outputs, effects and impacts of the networking in maternal health care. The analysis showed that the networking of communities in HAD of 1-30 and substructures of 1-5 is transformative in boosting health care seeking behavior. Study participants demonstrated, irrespective of age, religion and gender, shared health information and attitude towards pregnancy, birth, and the need to mitigate health risks by attending care and treatment services at health facilities. All stakeholders at community and leadership position give credit to the social network of HDA for enhancing maternal care seeking behavior in beneficiaries and responsiveness of heath providers in health facilities to meet health care needs of mothers. The impact of the networking is that communities are empowered and are assuming ownership with regards to dealing with their health care needs. In effect they are demanding for availability of quality of maternal health care services at closer locations. The lesson learnt is that through the use of innovative methodologies and approaches, communities can assume leadership in producing good health. In such a scenario, it is suggested that governments should mobilize resources, local and as well international to improve the supply side of maternal and child health care services. Failure to meet what communities are demanding in health care service delivery would result in dissatisfaction and lack of trust in the health system.
VL  - 2
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Hailom Banteyerga

Addis Ababa University, College of Humanities, Language Studies, Journalism and Communication, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Hailom Banteyerga. (2014). Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia. American Journal of Health Research, 2(6), 378-386. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20

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ACS Style

Hailom Banteyerga. Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia. Am. J. Health Res. 2014, 2(6), 378-386. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20

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AMA Style

Hailom Banteyerga. Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia. Am J Health Res. 2014;2(6):378-386. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20

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@article{10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20,
  author = {Hailom Banteyerga},
  title = {Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia},
  journal = {American Journal of Health Research},
  volume = {2},
  number = {6},
  pages = {378-386},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.20140206.20},
  abstract = {Taking the national scenario in maternal health care, it was taken for granted that Ethiopia would not meet the millennium development goal in the reduction of maternal death: assisted birth at a health institution for example was as low as 10% in 2011. Although, the introduction of the health extension program since has enabled the health sector to make major strides towards health promotion and disease prevention, health facility utilization in maternal health care remained low.  An ecologically driven health development army (HAD) of thirty members sub structured into community cell based networking of 1-5 has been introduced to guide social mobilization and community participation in health as of 2012. The networking requires all women and men to be teamed in 1-5 cells, actively participate in learning and practicing good health. The analysis of the effect of the networking on boosting maternal health care seeking behavior in rural communities was made using qualitative data obtained from informant interviews and focus group discussions in Amhara, West Gojam and South Wolo Zones. The data analysis looked into inputs, processes, outcomes/outputs, effects and impacts of the networking in maternal health care. The analysis showed that the networking of communities in HAD of 1-30 and substructures of 1-5 is transformative in boosting health care seeking behavior. Study participants demonstrated, irrespective of age, religion and gender, shared health information and attitude towards pregnancy, birth, and the need to mitigate health risks by attending care and treatment services at health facilities. All stakeholders at community and leadership position give credit to the social network of HDA for enhancing maternal care seeking behavior in beneficiaries and responsiveness of heath providers in health facilities to meet health care needs of mothers. The impact of the networking is that communities are empowered and are assuming ownership with regards to dealing with their health care needs. In effect they are demanding for availability of quality of maternal health care services at closer locations. The lesson learnt is that through the use of innovative methodologies and approaches, communities can assume leadership in producing good health. In such a scenario, it is suggested that governments should mobilize resources, local and as well international to improve the supply side of maternal and child health care services. Failure to meet what communities are demanding in health care service delivery would result in dissatisfaction and lack of trust in the health system.},
 year = {2014}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Boosting Maternal Health Care Seeking Behavior in Rural Low Income Communities: A Case Study of West Gojam and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, Ethiopia
AU  - Hailom Banteyerga
Y1  - 2014/11/27
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20
T2  - American Journal of Health Research
JF  - American Journal of Health Research
JO  - American Journal of Health Research
SP  - 378
EP  - 386
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8796
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140206.20
AB  - Taking the national scenario in maternal health care, it was taken for granted that Ethiopia would not meet the millennium development goal in the reduction of maternal death: assisted birth at a health institution for example was as low as 10% in 2011. Although, the introduction of the health extension program since has enabled the health sector to make major strides towards health promotion and disease prevention, health facility utilization in maternal health care remained low.  An ecologically driven health development army (HAD) of thirty members sub structured into community cell based networking of 1-5 has been introduced to guide social mobilization and community participation in health as of 2012. The networking requires all women and men to be teamed in 1-5 cells, actively participate in learning and practicing good health. The analysis of the effect of the networking on boosting maternal health care seeking behavior in rural communities was made using qualitative data obtained from informant interviews and focus group discussions in Amhara, West Gojam and South Wolo Zones. The data analysis looked into inputs, processes, outcomes/outputs, effects and impacts of the networking in maternal health care. The analysis showed that the networking of communities in HAD of 1-30 and substructures of 1-5 is transformative in boosting health care seeking behavior. Study participants demonstrated, irrespective of age, religion and gender, shared health information and attitude towards pregnancy, birth, and the need to mitigate health risks by attending care and treatment services at health facilities. All stakeholders at community and leadership position give credit to the social network of HDA for enhancing maternal care seeking behavior in beneficiaries and responsiveness of heath providers in health facilities to meet health care needs of mothers. The impact of the networking is that communities are empowered and are assuming ownership with regards to dealing with their health care needs. In effect they are demanding for availability of quality of maternal health care services at closer locations. The lesson learnt is that through the use of innovative methodologies and approaches, communities can assume leadership in producing good health. In such a scenario, it is suggested that governments should mobilize resources, local and as well international to improve the supply side of maternal and child health care services. Failure to meet what communities are demanding in health care service delivery would result in dissatisfaction and lack of trust in the health system.
VL  - 2
IS  - 6
ER  -

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