Individual and Community-level determinants of maternal health services utilization in Northwest Ethiopia: Multilevel Analysis

Abstract Objective Utilization of maternal health services is a direct and indirect indicator of perinatal death, and socio-economic development. Evidence on individual and community level determinants of maternal health services in Ethiopia, particularly in the study region was not found. Hence, this study fills this gap. Results A mong 2,198 study subjects, proportion of pregnant women who visited antenatal care (ANC4 + ), received skilled delivery care, and postnatal care (PNC) were 66.1%, 58.3%, and 58.6% respectively. Besides these, community and different individual-level factors for the three indicators were detected. For ANC 4th visits: place of resident (AOR=3.82), information on MHS (AOR=2.13), history of pregnancy-related problems (AOR=1.83) and women's decision-making (AOR=1.74). For skilled delivery were belonged in 3rd quintile household wealth (AOR=2.23), women's education (AOR=1.71), attended ANC visit 4th (AOR=2.29), delay initiation of ANC visit between 4–6 months (AOR=0.66). Finally, for PNC services: partner education (AOR=3.67), attending recommended ANC visits (AOR=10.8), iron folic acid supplementation (AOR=1.96) and skilled delivery (AOR=1.63). Hence, community based interventions are strongly recommended to improve utilization of maternal health services.