Barriers to delivery care by skilled attendants in Sulawesi Utara

Abstract

         The purpose of the study was to investigate the barriers for women in Sulawesi Utara to accessing a skilled attendant at birth. A secondary data analysis of the 2002/ 2003 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey which involved the most recent live birth in the past five years of 428 ever-married women aged 15-49 in Sulawesi Utara was performed. Independent variables were identified by the Andersen behavioral model. Multivariate analysis was conducted with logistic regressions.

         By adjusting other factors, mother’s educational attainment was the only significant determinant for the use of a skilled attendant. The adjusted adds ratio of the change in birth attendant in women with secondary or higher level of education was 2.58 (95%CI 1.35-4.93). Low educational attainment was a significant barrier for women in Sulawesi Utara to accessing professional delivery care. To improve access, health care authorities and providers need to educate women about their reproductive health and familiarize them with maternal health services.