Delay in Making Decision to Seeking Care on Institutional Delivery and Associated Factors Among Mothers Who Gave Birth in South Gondar Zone Hospitals,2020. A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background: Delay to making decision to seeking care contributes to high maternal mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Major factor that contribute to maternal death in developing countries is decision-making to seek care. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated factors of delay in making decision to seeking care on institutional delivery among mothers who gave birth in South Gondar zone hospitals, Ethiopia, 2020.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from September1-October30/2020 with 650 mothers were participated in this study using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using a face-to-face interview with pretested semi-structured questionnaires Bi-variable and multi-variable analyses conducted and the Odds ratio with 95% CI was estimated to identify factors of delay to making decision to seeking care. The statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05.Results: Delay in making decision to seeking care on institutional delivery was found to be 36.3% (95%CI=32.6 to 40.1). The mean age of the respondents was 27.23 with a standard deviation of 5.67. Mothers who reside in rural area (AOR=3.14,95%, CI:2.40-4.01), uneducated mothers (AOR= 3.62, 95%, CI:2.45-5.52), unplanned of pregnancy (AOR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.84-7.96), and no health facilities in Keble (AOR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.43-6.32) were statistically associated with delay to making decision to seeking care.Conclusion: One in three delivered mothers had been delayed in making decision to seek care in South Gondar zone. Pregnant mothers living in the rural area, unplanned of pregnancy, uneducated mothers, no health facilities in Keble Therefore, strategies to identify determinants and reduced of delay in making decision to seek care.