Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Institutional Delivery among Women of Reproductive Age in Gondar town, North West Ethiopia

Background: Institutional delivery is one way of decreasing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, especially in developing countries. Despite a great public health effort, many women are still delivering at home by either TBA or relatives. In Ethiopia almost all birth takes place at home (85.5%) with only 14.5% of women delivered at health institutions. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of women of reproductive age group in Gondar town. Methods and Materials: The study was conducted in Gondar town, North west Ethiopia from April to June, 2017 by using descriptive community based cross sectional study design to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of women of reproductive age group in Gondar town, four sub cities(Kebele 08, 13, 15& 16) and three rural kebeles( azezo tekle haymanot, loza mariam and aba entonios) . The source population was all women of reproductive age (15-49yrs) in Gondar town, Kebele 08, 13, 15& 16 and the sample size was determined by using single population proportion by considering 95% level of confidence and 5% margin of error. Stratified random sampling technique was used to collect all study subjects. Results: Out of 422 study subjects, most study participants (92.2%) heard about institutional delivery. 92% of study subjects had information regarding health institution delivery. Majorityv42.4%) of study subjects got information from health care provider. More than 85% of study subjects had information about problem of home delivery by either TBA or relatives. Out of the total, more than 85% of mothers believed that institutional delivery has benefit for mothers and the baby. From total of 98 study participants who experienced child birth for the last 12 months, more than 81.6% delivered at health institution. Conclusion and recommendations: The result of this study indicates that all participants heard about institutional delivery. More than 85% of the participants had knowledge about attending delivery at health facility. Comparing to national figure (85.5%) of home delivery, the result of this study is better (10.2%). Majority of the participants had good attitude toward health institution delivery. According to our study it is better to make intense and consistent increased mass media regarding risk and potential problem related to home delivery. Further, it highly advised that all health facilities in Gondar town and its surrounding must provide regular and ongoing morning health education about institutional delivery for all clients visiting their institutions.