The effects of individual and community-level factors on maternal health outcomes in Ghana

Adu, Joseph (2018) The effects of individual and community-level factors on maternal health outcomes in Ghana. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The utilization of maternal health care services is imperative to reducing the number of perinatal deaths and postnatal complications amongst pregnant women. Data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey was used to conduct a quantitative study to understand the effects of individual and community-level factors on the uptake of maternal health care services. In addition, policy documents on maternal and child health care in Ghana with respect to antenatal, facility-based delivery, and postnatal care were reviewed to better understand government policies to improve maternal care. The quantitative study used a sample of 4,141 women nested within 427 clusters across Ghana. Multilevel logistic regression models were employed to examine the effects of individual and community-level factors on antenatal, facility-based delivery, and postnatal care. All the quantitative analyses were conducted with sample-weighted data. The quantitative analysis revealed both individual and community-level factors as significant predictors of maternal health outcomes in Ghana. For instance, wealthier women and those with higher education were significantly more likely to utilize antenatal and delivery services in both the rural and urban areas. Distance to health facilities was negatively associated with women’s use of maternal health services. The policy documents analyses indicated equity gaps in rural-urban health infrastructure and lack of financial resources to ensure equitable delivery of maternal health care services in Ghana. Policy makers must consider both individual and community-level factors, and women’s rights with regard to employment opportunities in addressing barriers to maternal health care in Ghana.

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