Institutional delivery service utilization and associated factors in fragile and conflict-affected situations in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia, 2022: A community-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Conflict-affected areas are considered to contribute a substantial proportion of worldwide maternal deaths. However, research on maternal health care in conflict-affected countries is very limited. In the absence of recent data, it is impossible to monitor progress made in mitigating the effect of conflict on maternal survival. As a result, this study targeted to assess institutional delivery services usage and influencing factors in a fragile and conflict-affected situation in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among 420 mothers in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia from July 15th to 30th, 2022. The desired sample size was determined using a single population proportion formula. The data were collected by using interviewer administered structured questionnaire; entered via EpiData version 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. To identify the associated factors, a bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was applied. The level of significance was declared at a p-value of <0.05. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was considered to see the strength of the association between dependent and independent variables. RESULTS: Of the total respondent, 202 (48.1%), 95% CI: (43.0%, 53.0%) mothers utilized institutional delivery service. The use of institutional delivery services was associated with the maternal educational level of secondary school and above (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.08–3.93), antenatal care during the most recent pregnancy (AOR = 5.24, 95% CI: 3.01–9.11), being informed on birth preparedness and complication readiness (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.23–3.02) and displacement of the respondents from their usual place of residence due to conflict (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21–0.68). CONCLUSION: Institutional delivery service utilization was very low in the study setting. Healthcare for women in conflict-prone areas requires critical attention and should be given priority during the conflict. More prospective research is needed to fully understand and reduce the impact of conflict on maternal and neonatal health care.