Delivery in health institutions in Ghana: physical accessibility, socioeconomic and demographic factors

Issues about women, particularly utilisation of maternal health care services have been given increasing attention in Ghana. With maternal mortality ratio estimated to be 451 deaths per 100,000 live births, the country declared maternal mortality as a national emergency in 2008 in order to meet the MDG’s pertaining to maternal health and to reduce child mortality in Ghana. This study investigates the physical accessibility, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and utilisation of delivery health care services among a sample of 413,034 women aged 12-49 years in Ghana who had live births 12 months before the 2003 CWIQ Survey. Both bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques are employed in the analysis of the data. The study among other things shows that place of residence, level of education and means of transportation predicts use of maternal health care services. For example, women residing in rural areas are less likely (OR= 0.83) to receive professional assistance during delivery than women residing in urban areas. Policy on maternal health care services utilisation needs to focus more on rural, less educated women and means of transportation to health facilities.