UTILIZATION OF ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES DURING PREGNANCY AND BIRTH OUTCOMES IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS

Abstract

The World Health Organization envisions that all expectant mothers and newborns should have access to quality healthcare during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. However, despite global improvements in maternal and child health services, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Ghana, continue to experience high rates of poor birth outcomes. A significant factor contributing to this challenge is the inadequate utilization of essential healthcare services (UEHCS) during pregnancy. This study addresses a key gap in knowledge by examining the relationship between UEHCS utilization and birth outcomes in the Tamale Metropolis, where limited research has been conducted on this issue. A cross-sectional analytical study design was used to collect data from 206 eligible women who had given birth within the past year. A semi structured questionnaire gathered information on sociodemographic characteristics, maternal and obstetric factors, birth outcomes, and UEHCS utilization, including antenatal and postnatal care. Data analysis was conducted using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The findings revealed that 63.6% mothers effectively utilized both antenatal and postnatal care services, while all 206 respondents utilized postnatal care services. Among the participants, 9.7% delivered low-birth-weight (LBW) babies, and 10.7% experienced preterm births. Mothers aged 20 years and older had a significantly lower likelihood of delivering preterm or LBW babies (Adjusted Odds Ratio AOR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.02–0.67, p = 0.017) compared to mothers under 20 years old (reference group). Conversely, mothers diagnosed with anemia were at a higher risk of delivering LBW babies (AOR = 5.27, 95% CI: 1.01–27.39, p = 0.048) compared to non-anemic mothers (reference group). However, no statistically significant association was found between UEHCS utilization and adverse birth outcomes in this study. To improve UEHCS utilization, both government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should implement community-based outreach programs, mobile health (mHealth) initiatives, and financial incentives for maternal healthcare seekers. These strategies can help increase accessibility, awareness, and affordability of essential services. Although the majority of participants utilized postnatal and antenatal care services, UEHCS did not show a significant association with birth outcomes in this study. However, factors such as maternal age and anemia status played a crucial role in birth outcomes. The findings suggest that policymakers should prioritize maternal nutrition, early anemia screening, and youth-centered pregnancy interventions to improve birth outcomes.