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The relationship between antenatal provider type and maternal care in rural Ghana: a cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
AtunahJay S. J.,
Pettingell S.,
Ohene S.A.,
Michael Oakes J.,
Borowsky I. W.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.12098
Subject(s) - cross sectional study , medicine , developing country , environmental health , obstetrics , economic growth , economics , pathology
Abstract Objectives To investigate the influence of antenatal provider type on maternity care in rural G hana. Methods An analysis of maternal care by antenatal provider type using the 2008 G hana D emographic and H ealth S urvey. Study population included rural G hanaian women aged 15–49 years with report of a live birth between 2003 and 2008. Bivariate chi‐square analysis was performed to examine differences in maternal report of WHO M aternal H ealth I nterventions. Multivariate linear and logistic regression were performed to assess differences in antenatal care ( ANC ) scales and maternal care packages. Results Thousand and three hundred and sixty‐seven rural women reported a live birth. Provider distribution was: doctor, 15.6%; midwife, 70%; community health officer ( CHO ), 9.1%; no provider, 5.3%. Women from lower socio‐demographic categories were more likely to report midwife or CHO. Report of CHO vs . no provider was positively associated with maternal services ( P < 0.01). Report of doctor or midwife vs . CHO was significantly associated with maternal services ( P < 0.01). Conclusion There is a positive association between antenatal provider length of training and maternal specialization and report of maternal services. Community‐based providers are associated with markedly increased report of maternal services compared with no provider. Structural factors appear to underlie some differences in service provision.