Acceptability of Maternity Waiting Home and its Associated Factors Among Women in Southern Ethiopia; A Community-Based Cross Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47363/JWHMR/2025(4)125Keywords:
Acceptability, Maternity waiting home, Wolaita Zone, EthiopiaAbstract
Introduction: Since 2015, Ethiopia has increased the implementation of maternity waiting home interventions as a holistic strategy to reduce its high rate of maternal mortality. However, pieces of evidence on the acceptability of maternity waiting homes and its associated factors are inadequate. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability of maternity waiting homes and its associated factors using the ‘Theoretical Framework of Acceptability’ among women in Southern Ethiopia.
Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study between April 15 to May 15/ 2023. A sample size of 834 households with eligible women was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. We collected data using a pre-tested structured questionnaire prepared by adapting the ‘Theoretical Framework of Acceptability’ and other variables from the literature reviewed. The binary analysis was employed and variables associated in bivariate were included in multivariate analysis of binary logistic regression using a Forward-wald method and the model goodness-of-fit was tested using Hosmer Lemishow’s method.
Results: A total of 834 women with complete information were included in the study and its response rate was 98.65%. The study revealed acceptability of maternity waiting homes was 21.5%. The acceptability of maternity waiting homes was associated with its perceived image in the community (AOR=6.25 (95%CI: 3.30-11.86)); perceived social influence (AOR = 3.30(95%CI: 1.73-6.30)); perceived affective attitude (AOR = 2.42(95%CI: 1.57-3.72)); and perceived burden to use (AOR = 0.40(95%CI: 0.24-0.65)).
Conclusions: Acceptability of maternity waiting homes is low in the study area. Women’s perceived image, social influence, and affective attitude were key factors associated with the acceptability of maternity waiting homes. The maternity waiting home program should focus on improving women’s perceptions and attitude towards maternity waiting homes and it is better to conduct advanced-level research on the issue.
