Delay in reaching health facilities and its associated factors among mothers giving birth in South Gondar zone hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020: A facility-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Delays in reaching health facilities are one of three models identified as major contributors to maternal mortality and morbidity in developing countries, including Ethiopia. However, little is known about the prevalence and associated factors of delays in reaching healthcare facilities in Ethiopia, particularly in rural areas. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of delays in reaching health facilities and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in South Gondar zone hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used from 28 November to 25 December 2020, with 417 mothers who had recently given birth participating in the study, selected through a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a face-to-face interview with pretested structured questionnaires. The EpiData software (version 3.1) was used to record collected data and then exported to SPSS (version 23) for statistical analysis. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted, and the odds ratio with 95% CI was used to identify factors associated with delays in reaching health facilities. The statistical significance was declared at p < .05. RESULTS: The prevalence of delay in reaching health facilities among mothers who gave birth in South Gondar zone hospitals were 50.6%. Mothers who had no antenatal care (ANC) visits [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 3.16, 95% CI = 1.52, 6.56], an unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.16, 2.72), and a distance from home to a health facility greater than 5 km (AOR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.08, 2.65) were positively associated with delays in reaching health facilities. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of delays in reaching health facilities was higher in the study area. Women's empowerment through health education about ANC follow-up, choice of family planning methods, and creating accessibility to health facilities are essential measures to minimize delays in reaching health facilities.