Jimma University Researchers Advance Knowledge in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Maternal health service utilization in the Jimma Zone, Ethiopia: results from a baseline study for mobile phone messaging interventions).

A study conducted by researchers at Jimma University in Ethiopia aimed to assess the utilization of maternal healthcare services in the Jimma Zone. The study found that while there were relatively high rates of antenatal care, facility delivery, and postpartum care utilization, there was a low proportion of early antenatal care initiation and high rates of antenatal care dropout. Factors such as lack of access, economic challenges, disrespectful care, lack of privacy, and unfavorable attitudes were identified as barriers to maternal health service use. The researchers suggest that mobile phone-based messaging interventions could help address these barriers and improve maternal health service utilization. [Extracted from the article]