Utilization Of Skilled Delivery Services In The Akatsi South District Of The Volta Region Of Ghana

ABSTRACT Background: Access and utilization to skilled delivery care is key and critical to lessening maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The Akatsi South District of the Volta Region continue to experience stunted improvement in the utilization of skilled delivery with average coverage of 40% as against 65% national estimate. The main aim of the study was to determine the factors related to the utilization of skilled delivery services in the Akatsi South District of the Volta Region. Method: This was a quantitative study to determine factors associated with the utilization of skilled delivery services in the Akatsi South District of the Volta Region. Structured questionnaires were used to gather information on utilisation of skilled delivery services among women within the reproductive age (15-49 years) with at least one child under five years within the Akatsi South district. The data were analysed using Stata Version 15. Descriptive analysis was presented in frequencies, percentages, means, percentages and bar charts appropriately. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine the relationship between skilled delivery and other independent factors. All statistical tests were done at 5% significance level. Result: The study showed that 94.4% of mothers received antenatal care from a health professional and the prevalence of institutional delivery was 79.6% (95% CI: 75.5 – 83.1%). It was found that the use of health facilities for delivery was higher among women of average age of 28.4 years compared to. Additionally, the study discovered that women who spent more years in school were more likely to deliver in health facilities than their colleagues with no formal education. Women who resided in the urban communities recorded significantly high prevalence of skilled attendance delivery than vi those who resided in the rural communities (88.9% vs 67.9%, p