Assessment Of Ambulance Service Utilization And Associated Factors Among Postpartum Mothers In Southwest Shao Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: In Ethiopia, the utilization of the ambulance service, which is an efficient and well-organized system, connects households with health care facilities to deliver basic or complete emergency and obstetric care. However, residence, utilized ambulance before,access of transportation of car, and discussion with health extension workers influence ambulance service utilization. Therefore, the establishment of strong ambulance service utilization across the country based on evidence from local studies is necessary for the improvement of ambulance service utilization among mothers who gave birth. Objective:This study aimedto assess Magnitude of Ambulance service utilization and associated factors among postpartum mothers in southwest shoa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia2023. Methods:A facility-based cross-sectional study was employed among 421postpartum mothers selected by Systematic samplingtechnique in southwest shoa from July 1, 2023, to August 30, 2023. Sample size wasdetermined by using single population proportion formula. Data was collected by interviewer-administered questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with ambulance services utilization, and variables with a p-value <0.25 were entered in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI and a P-value <0.05 were used to declare statistically significant associations. Both descriptive and analytical findings were displayed in texts, tables, figures, percentages, and frequency. Results:Among study participants, only 197 (47.8%) utilized ambulance service. Mother from rural residence (AOR=0.021, 95% CI [0.013, 0.092]), having discussion with health extension worker (AOR=0.14, 95% CI [0.000-0.074]),had utilized Ambulance service before (AOR=0.07, 95% CI [0.001-0.096]),and had no access of public transportation(AOR=0.07, 95% CI [0.04, 0.16])were had positive significant association with ambulance service utilization. Conclusion:The magnitude of ambulance service utilization was low based on this study. Urban residence should utilize ambulance service, pregnant women should make discussion with HEW, even though there were access of public transportation pregnant women should utilize ambulance service and health sector should create the awareness of pregnant motherson benefit of ambulance utilization through provision of information using health extension workers