DEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS OF LABOUR AND DELIVERY SERVICE UTILISATION IN SELECTED HEALTH FACILITIES IN LUSAKA DISTRICT, ZAMBIA
Abstract
Background: The use of labor and delivery health services is essential for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes, yet disparities in service utilization persist, even in urban areas. This study examined the demographic factors affecting the use of labor and delivery health services among postnatal women in selected health facilities in Lusaka District, Zambia. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted among 343 postnatal women aged 15–49 years who had delivered within 6 months of data collection. Participants were selected from six public health facilities using stratified random sampling at the facility level and systematic sampling for respondents. Data were collected using a pretested structured interview schedule and analyzed with SPSS version 22.0. Associations were examined using chi-square tests and logistic regression at a 95% confidence interval, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: Overall, 306 (89.2%) respondents utilized labor and delivery health services, while 37 (10.8%) did not. In bivariate analysis, maternal education (χ²=20.769, p<0.001) and parity (χ²=10.286, p=0.006) were significantly associated with utilization, whereas age was not significant, and family income showed only a marginal association. In binary logistic regression, women with parity 3–4 and ≥5 had lower odds of utilization than those with parity 1–2. After multivariable adjustment, maternal education remained the only independent predictor of utilization (OR=3.500, 95% CI: 1.046–11.861, p=0.042). Conclusion: Use of labor and delivery health services was high in the study setting. Maternal education remained the main independent factor influencing service use. Focused maternal health education and interventions that address educational inequalities may help boost the use of skilled childbirth services in urban Zambia.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejphs.v9i2.258
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