Effects of institutionalizing limited obstetric ultrasound services on utilization of maternal and neonatal health services: a pre-post study

Background A minimum of one ultrasound scan is recommended for all pregnant women before the 24th week of gestation. In Ethiopia, there is a shortage of skilled manpower to provide these services. Currently, trained mid-level providers are providing the services at the primary healthcare level. Methods A pre and post intervention observational study was conducted to understand maternal health service utilization rates before and after institutionalizing Vscan access limited obstetric ultrasound services between 2017 and 2020. Results The observed monthly increase on the mean rank of first ANC visits after the introduction of Vscan limited obstetric ultrasound services shows a statistically significant difference at KW-ANOVA H (3) =17.09, P=0.001. The mean rank of fourth ANC utilization increment shows statistically significant difference at KW- ANOVA H (3) =16.24, P=0.001. The observed mean rank in skilled birth attendance shows a statistically significant positive difference using KW-ANOVA H (3) =23.6, P