Conference Abstract | Volume 9, Abstract 034 (ConfProc7) | Published: 04 May 2026
Sylvester Chinbuah1,&, Ivy Dorinda Essien1, Lloyd Owura Kofi Adu-Kumi1, Alfred Wilson Acquah1, Clement Asi Baffour1, Mohammed Awal Sulemana1, Jupiter Agbeko Kpodo1, Patrick Asante-Kumah1, Clement Amankwah1, Roger Kpexor1, Shirley Gloria Davis1, Jennifer Adutwumwaa Konadu1, Desmond Hamidu1, Vincent Arthur1, Rita Asante Kusi1, Samuel Dapaah1, George Akowuah1, Belinda Nsiah Opoku1, Martha Arkaa Kotey1, Aba Sam Essel1, Magdalene Odikro1, Samuel Sackey1, Ernest Kenu1
1Ghana Field Epidemiology and laboratory Training Programme, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
&Corresponding author: Sylvester Chinbuah, Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, Email: sylvester.chinbuah@ghs.gov.gh ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8279-462X
Received: 29 Jul 2025, Accepted: 28 Oct 2025, Published: 04 May 2026
Domain: Maternal and Child Health
Keywords: Maternal health services, Antenatal care, Skilled delivery, Postnatal care Utilisation, Ghana
©Sylvester Chinbuah et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Sylvester Chinbuah et al. Factors associated with the utilisation of maternal health services in Western, Western North and Central Regions of Ghana, 2025. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2026;9(ConfProc7):034. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO7-0034
Maternal health services (MHS), essential for the health of women and newborns, are underutilized in countries like Ghana, leading to preventable maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study identifies factors affecting the use of antenatal care (ANC), skilled delivery, and postnatal care (PNC) in Ghana’s Central, Western, and Western North Regions.
This was a retrospective cohort study involving women who registered for ANC in January 2025 across 15 selected health facilities. Data on ANC (4+attendance), skilled delivery, and postnatal care (PNC within 48hrs) were extracted from records. Descriptive statistics provided frequencies and means, while significant variables from bivariate analysis were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression with Epi Info 7. Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively selected women from each facility, and transcripts thematically coded with quotes supporting quantitative findings.
In total, 1,730 women were included with a representation of 63.9%(1105/1730) ANC attendance, 45.1%(781/1730) delivery and 51.6%(407/788) PNC utilization. After adjustment, predictors of ANC were women aged 26–35 years (aRR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04–1.41), traders (aRR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02–1.38; ), and those booking in the first trimester (aRR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.19–1.55). The predictors of PNC were women with secondary or higher education (aRR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.08–1.55) and those who completed ANC visits (aRR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.25–1.62). In-depth interview showed that family support, short travel distance, and good staff attitude influence MHS.
MHS dropped along the cascade, with the lowest utilisation at delivery. Early entry into care, age, occupation and education supported complete services across ANC, delivery, and postnatal care continuum. Social support and good client experience also shaped women maternal health seeking behaviour. Respectful maternal care should be strengthened by care givers as this influence’s women using MHS.
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