Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization recommends that women be attended by skilled birth attendants (SBAs) during delivery to improve maternal and newborn health and to achieve the maternal mortality target of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge, attitude, and utilization of SBAs among women of reproductive age in a rural community in Edo State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design among a total population of women of reproductive age was carried out. Data collection was by mixed methods using a pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire, and focus group discussion (FGD) Guide. Ethical clearance to conduct this study was sought and obtained from the Ethical Committee, University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Quantitative data collected were analyzed using international business machines Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21.0 while qualitative data were analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti software. Logistic regression was applied to calculate crude odds ratios, adjusted odds ratios (AORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p-values of the quantitative data. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results: A total number of 484 persons (comprising 465 respondents and 19 FGD participants) were surveyed. The study showed good knowledge 421 (92.1%), positive attitude 405 (88.6%), and good utilization 410 (88.2%) of SBAs. The determinants of utilization of SBAs were age (AOR: 1.086 95% CI: 1.020–1.155), knowledge of respondents (AOR: 0.034 95% CI: 0.012–0.098), and cost of services (AOR: 0.348 95% CI: 0.157–0.772).

Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude, and utilization of SBAs were found to be good among the studied population. The determinants of utilization should be used as major points for international electrotechnical commission in key intervention programs.

Key words: Skilled Birth Attendant; Utilization; Knowledge and Attitude