Anatomy & Physiology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

The Socio Economic Factors that Promote Maternal Health Seeking Behavior among Ethiopian Rural Women: The Case of Raya Alamata District

Hayelom Abadi Mesele

Maternal health is the physical wellbeing of a mother during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. It reflects the level of social justice and the degree of respect for women’s rights in a society. Therefore, aim of this study is to identify the socioeconomic factors that promote Maternal Health Seeking Behavior (MHSB) among rural women of Raya Alamata districts. To conduct this study, the researcher used qualitative research design. Hence, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), key informant and in-depth interview were conducted with purposively selected participants from the three Tabias. Thematic analysis method was used to analyze and interpreted the qualitative data. Finally, the influence of media, the deployment of Health Extension Workers (HEWs), the contribution of social network and social capital, the provision of Maternity Waiting Rooms (MWRs) for birthing women, pregnant women conference, the establishment of women Health Development Army (HDA) and one to five groups were the major factors that promote MHSB of rural women of the study area. Moreover, the availability of ambulances, fear of HIV infection and punishment (fine) are factors which facilitates women to have birth in modern health institutions.