Women Empowerment and Skilled Birth Attendants among Women in Rural Ghana.

backgroundA critical public health issue is maternal mortality. Around 810 women die per day from pregnancy and childbirth, with approximately 99 percent of these deaths recorded in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), more than half of these mortalities are registered. The situation is remarkably similar in Ghana, with maternal mortality standing at 319 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015.

methodsUsing data from 2014 Demographic and Health Surveys, the study examined the association between women empowerment and skilled birth attendance among women in rural Ghana.

resultsWomen with medium decision-making (OR = 0.75, CI = 0.61, 0.93), low knowledge level (OR = 0.55, CI = 0.40, 0.76), high acceptance of wife beating (OR = 0.68, CI = 0.51, 0.90), with less than 4 ANC visits (OR = 0.25, CI = 0.19, 0.32), whose partner had higher education (OR = 1.96, CI = 1.05, 3.64), and who had a big problem with the distance getting to the health facility (OR = 0.63, CI = 0.50, 0.78) had a significant association with skilled birth attendants. Decision-making power, women's knowledge level, acceptance of wife beating, antenatal care visit, partner's education, getting medical help for self, and distance to health facility were seen to have a significant association with skilled birth attendants among women in Ghana.

conclusionEfforts to increase the current SBA should concentrate on the empowerment of women, male involvement in maternal health problems, women's education, and participation in the ANC. There is a need to review current policies, strategies, and services to improve maternal health conditions.